Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1892-05-21

his hand over his heart, with first a
flush and then paleness, indicative of
pain.
Such was the young clergyman's con-
dition, and so imminent the prospect
that his dawning light would be extin-
guished, all untimely, when Roger
Chillingworth made his advent to the
town. His first entry on the scene, few
people could tell whence, dropping
down, as it were, out of the sky or
starting from the neither earth, had an
aspect of mystery which was easily
heightened to the miraculous. He was
now known to be a man of skill. It was
observed that he gathered herbs and
the blossoms of wild flowers, and
dug up roots and plucked off twigs from
the forest trees, like one acquainted
with hidden virtues in what was value
less to common eyes.
He was heard to speak of Sir Kenelm
Digby and other famous men-whose
scientific attachments were esteemed
hardly less than supernatural-as hav
ing been his correspondents or associates.
Why, with such rank in the learned
world, had he come hither? What could
he, whose sphere was in great cities, be
seeking in the wilderness? In answer
to this query rumor gained ground
and, however absurd, was entertained
by some very sensible people-that
heaven had wrought an absolute miracle
by transporting an eminent doctor of
physic from a German university bodily
through the air and setting him down
| at the door of Mr.. Dimmesdale's study!
Individuals of wiser faith, indeed, who
knew that heaven promotes its purposes
without aiming at the stage effect of
what is called miraculous interposition,
| were inclined to see providential hand
in Roger Chillingworths so opportune
arrival.
| This idea was countenanced by the
strong interest which the physician ever
manifested in the young clergyman; he
| attached himself to him as parishioner,
and sought to win friendly regard and
confidence from his naturally reserved
sensibility. He expressed great alarm
| at his pastors state of health, but was
anxious to attempt the cure, and, if
4 CdllJ Ul1dt1 6CClltQ AOb NCoElOnQ-
ent of a favorable result. The elders,
| the deacons, the motherly danes and
| the young and fair maidens of Mr.. Dim
| mesdale's flock were alike importunate
/ that he should make trial of the physi-
1 clans frankly offered skill. Mr.. Dim
mesdale gently repealed their entreaties.
81 need no medicine" said he.
But how could the young minister
say so when, with every successive Sab
| bath, his cheek was paler and thinner
/ and his voice more tremulous than be-
l fore-when it had now become con-
4 slant habit, rather than casual gesture,
| to press his hand over his hearth Was
he weary of his labors? Did he wish to
| diep These questions were solemnly pro-
| pounded to Mr.. Dimmesdale by the elder
| ministers of Boston and the deacons of
| his church, who, to use their own phrase,
"dealt with him" on the sin of rejecting
the aid which providence so manifestly
4 held out. He listened in silence and
finally promised to confer with the ply
stefan.
"Were it Gods WILL" said the Rev
erend Mr.. Dimmesdale, when, in fulfill
ment of this pledge, he requested old
Roger Chillingworth's professional adj
vice, 81 could be well content that my
labors, and my sorrows, and my sins, and
my pains should shortly end with me,
and what is earthly of them be buried
in my grave and the spiritual go with
me to my eternal state, rather than that
you should put your skill to the proof in
my behalf"
"Ah," replied Roger Chillingworth,
with that quietness which, whether i'm.
posed or natural, marked all his deport-
ment, sit is thus that young clergy
man is apt to speak. Youthful men,
not having taken deep root, give W
their hold of life SO easilyl And sanity
men, who walk with God on earth
would fain be away to walk with him
on the golden payements of the New
Jerusalem"
"Nay," rejoined the young minister
putting his hand to his heart, with 8
| flush of pain fitting over his brow
''were worthier to walk there could
be better content to toll here"
| "Good men ever interpret themselves
too meanly," said the physician.
| In this manner the mysterious OLD
Roger Chillingworth became the med
ical adviser of the Reverend Mr.. Dim.
mesdale. AS not only the disease in.
terested the physician, but he was strong
ly moved to look into the character and
| qualities of the patient, these two men,
SO different in age, came gradually tc
spend much time together. For the
sake of the minister's health and to en-
able the leech to gather plants with
healing balm in them, they took long
walks on the seashore or in the forest
mingling various talk with the plasl
and murmur of the waves, and the
| solemn wind anthem among the tree
tops. Often. likewise, one was the guest
of the other in his place of study and
| retirement =
| Thus Roger Chillingworth scrutinized
his patient carefully, both as he saw
| him in his ordinary life, keeping an ac-
customed pathway in the range OF
thoughts familiar to him, and as he ap-
peared when thrown amid other moral
scenery, the novelty of which might call
out something new to the surface of his
character. He deemed it essential, il
would seem, to know the man before
attempting to do him good. Wherever
there is a heart and an intellect the
diseases of the physical frame are tinged
with the peculiarities of these. In Ar
thur Dimmesdale thought and magma
ton were so active and sensibility SO
intense that the bodily infrnity would
be likely to have its groundwork there
So Roger Chillingworth--the man Of
skill, the kind and friendly physician
strove to go deep into his patients
bosom, delving among his principles,
prying into his recollections and prob
ing everything with cautious touch
like treasure seeker in dark cavern
After time, at hint from Rogel
Chillingworth, the friends of Mr.. Dim
mesdale effected an arrangement b,
which the two were lodged in the same
house, so that every ebb and flow of tbs
minister's life tide might pass under tbs
eye of his anxious and attached physi
clan. There was much joy throughout
the town when this greatly desirable OBJ
ject was attained. 1t was held to be tbs
best possible measure for the young
clergyman's welfare, unless, indeed, as
often urged by such as felt authorized
to do so, he had selected some one Of the
many blooming damsels. sDiritually de.