St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-12-17
MY FIRST PATIENT.

had been in my new lodgings for {
week. A week that had dragged Itself
| along in an endless series of days, every
one bringing to me the dreams and the
hopes of an entire lifetime. Over the
glass door of my neat little apartment the
white door-plate, with which it is Gus.
tomary to announce the Office of prac
ticing physician, had shone for week
For the same length of time my little re.
| ception'and consultation-room had waited
with its dark curtains and straight
backed chairs for the patients who were
to come to seek the advice and help Of
DR.. Max Erhardt. After all, had nc
cause to wonder that my room remained
SO empty in the first days, for the neigh.
borhood had first to get accustomed tc
my name, and to the fact that they could
find good medical advice in their neal
vicinity. All this said to myself com,
fortingly at that time When, by good
fortune, l should be able to heal only one
patient, then the situation would quickly
change. My reputation would increase,
and soon the rush of people to my con-
sultation-room would proclaim my sue
cess. | should soon 90 about in pretty,
little carriage, with dark, brown horse,
driven by respectable coachman; then,
indeed, them
At last, a thought which completely
overpowered me came to my mind. ]
was again in spirit with my Cou:in Ma
RE, who certainly would make the pref
test of doctors wives that one could
imagine. loved my fair cousin. AS a
boy, had shown her every little chival-
rous service which in either house or gar
den is demanded of the stronger com
rade. As junior in school, l ha in
scribed my first poem to her; and as sen.
ior, | had badly injured my voice, which
was just then turning to baritone, by
singing necessarily of "the haxen- haired
girl" When l returned home, after
passing the first examination, the first
thing of all that the student noticed was
that 'thc tiaxen-h haired girl had come to
love him as completely as he loved her,
but neither said anything on that sub
J7ct My University period passed by
All the time I worked earnestly, and
whenever | had undergone the tedious
struggle of examinations VIGOROUSLY,
Marie's dear eyes seemed to express her
lively interest in the successful accom-
plishmcnt of all my endeavors And
when Cousin Marie greeted me upon my
return, said softly, "Herr Doctor En-
hardt, | looked deep into her dear eyes
and said more softly, Frau Doctor En-
hardt." Then saw bright blush come
over her face, as she turned hastily toward
the window seat.
Now and then, during the next few
days, had opportunity to speak to Ma
RE of all the castles in Spain which q
young physician could build in his empty
dwelling; but I dared not inform her of
my dream in regard to the future doc
tors wife. There lay in the blue eyes of
my dearest an expression which kept
back my words, even when they almost
found utterance. l had no doubt
that Marie would eventually be my wife,
but it seemed as if lack of confidence
in my ability as physician lay in her
glance. That increased my pride, and
induced me to remain silent and await
the time when the report of my first pro-
fessional achievement would proclaim my
ability to Marie.
With my thoughts absorbed in all
these things, sat on the afternoon of a
dreary November day in my consultation
room, and at first failed to notice q faint
ring at my bell. Then arose to open
the door myself, as had sent my Grand
boy to market.
l confess that during the few steps
which were necessary to bring me to the
door, flood of strange thoughts came
over me. A caller was seeking my help.
Very likelyit was patient of high birth,
and ! should certainly receive rich re-
ward and fame, and-I was already mar
ried to dear Marie. / opened the
door. In the half-dark of the late
August day stood poorly-clad woman
before me. Out of her haggard and
rcoal-blackened face looked pair of
great, dark eyes beseechingly at me.
Doctor" said the woman in tremb-
ling voice, Doctor, be merciful, o
please. My little Marie is SO sick"
The name atoned for the woman's un-
promising appearance, which conceded
badly with my latest dreams.
"Who are you? Who sent you to me?"
asked.
mo one," the woman answered quick
ly and in low voice. 20 Doctor, do
comet l have been carrying coal all day
from the wagon into house near by. I
live over there in the courtyard. My
child has been sick since yesterday. |
found her so much worse that came to
you at once"
hesitated somewhat; the disenchant-
ment was 80 great.
The woman wiped her face with her
blackened hand.
It was a face which already showed
many burrows caused by sorrow and
trials.
81 should have gone for the charity
physician" she said, YEARLY, "but your
servant, Doctor, is child Of the shoe
maker in our courtyard, and he has told
everyone that you are such good man
Oh, do help my little grip