Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-08-29
A CONSULTATION.
Tho Family Doctor and the Fash
ionsble Physician.

ionsble Physician.
lam a family doctor, with a suffi.
cicntly arduous, II not over-lucrative,
practice, chiefly among the lower mid
die class whose homes abound in
southeastern suburb OF modern Bah
ylon. Some years ago, when l was
moro OF a struggler than / happily
now am, had by good fortune OBJ
taincd foothold as medical adviser
In tho household OF a wealthy city
stockholder, who dwelt in a spacious
and luxurious mansion some three
miles further out on the Surrey hills
than the extreme limits OF my regular
round OF visits; and the fees received
for occasional calls to Mount Aureo
when Mr. Midas Contango had a touch
OF his chronic tormenter, tho gout; or
his somewhat sentimental spouse
quite grand dame, however, in her
oRn osteem-was suffering the PEN
altios Of systematic outrage on the
digestive fit-up Of her portly person,
were SO liberal in their extent as TO
form in the aggregate no inconsidera-
bic proportion Of my modest income.
After my connection at Mount Aureo
lad continued, to the seeming salts
faction OF all concerned, for some
two years, l began to receive more
frequent summonses thitherward. The
only daughter OF the Contangos, Miss
Muriel, a fine, tall, gracefully-formed
damsel OF seventeen, who might have
stood for a sculptor's model, so per-
feet was her physique, had returned
home for her Christmas vacation from
hor fashionable Brighton boarding.
school troubled with u slight cough.
In all respects save this trihing laryn-
geal affection, she enjoyed the excel
lent health OF which both her parents
had had possession in their earlier
days, before the indulgences which
follow in wealth's wake had made
them profitable acquaintances of my
own. II was clear enough, too, to me
that Miss Muriel ContangO's throat
trouble was purely local; nevertheless,
IL was causing serious alarm 10 the
master and mistress OF Mount Aureo,
who idolized their charming daughter.
The dream OF the Cantango existence
was TO mate Miss Murlel to some scion
of the aristocracy, their reputation
for riches having obtained them eRtree
10 society TO which, by birth and
breeding, they were not entitled.
Mr.. and Mira Midas Coutango had
both begun to dread that Miss Muriels
indisposition would eliminate in bron-
chitis or decline. The slightest cough,
the least bronchus, raised the grim and
terrible specter OF phthisls. and the
beautiful young lady was Leld to be in
imminent danger of an early grave.
i had examined her chest with the
most anxious and minute care, but
could discover nothing 10 Justify any
fear or even doubt OF the correctness
OF my diagnosis; yet, despite balsamics
and sedatives, exposure, however little.
in treacherous weather would cause
hoarseness and transitory cough.
Indeed, these disagreeable symptoms
often manifested themselves without
any apparent cause, except as /
judged, the inordinate precautions
taken TO avert them. The rooms at
Mount Aureo were always too hot;
Hiss Muriel was overclc thed, could
not stir out for constitut onal in the
garden without a respi.ator, or take
drive unless hidden in an development
OF costly furs When l ventured TO
hint at this, the invariable reply Of the
Contangos was; "Ahl doctor, II we
did not take this care OF Muriel. how
long would she be with usP-the dear
child is so delicate" And nothing
could say would alter their opinion.
One day in the April succeeding,
when Miss Murlel had been coddled up
a. home for four months instead Of
being sent TO Brighton TO continue her
studies, Mrs. Contango was more than
usually concerned about her daugh-
ter's condition. The stockbroker and
his good lady had over night held an
anxious discussion. / had made my
now usual though quite unnecessary
daily visit TO Mount Aureo. and Mrs.
Midas Contango was. IN her patroniz-
ing and yet solicitous manner. bowing
me out had almost reached the
door, hat In hand, when Mrs. CONTAIN
go said, with some effort; Doctor,
you know we have the utmost conf
dence in you; we carry out your in
etructions 10 the letter; but our dear
child
''fcs' madam; only you will persist
IN treating her, II may be pardoned
the smile, too much after the manner
Of tropical orchid, instead OF regard
ing her as a beautiful plant OF En-
glish growth" "
''Well, you may be right, doctor;
but we are so very anxious. Mr.. Con-
tango and myself-you SEQ Muriol is
our only child. our solo hope Now
would you mind our asking the opinion
OF famous specialist as TO tho caseP"
''Nothing would be better or more
proper. Pray. whom would you like.
and when may we arrange, contingent
on his being able TO come, TO have him
heroP"
Nra Midas ConianRo mentioned The
npme 81 q worry fashionable and OK