The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-08-15
A PATIENT THAT PAID.

OhO Lin I'll IL mSNiGd1 UIptCiBd WAS LO'
yet dry, and, secondly, because he
could not raise a beard. He was sitting
idle in his Office chair cndeavoring tc
conjure up some means Of increasing
his income. He thought of starting a
medical institute and of inventing q
patent medicine, but he had no capital.
10 remove to a smaller town was retro
grading, and he dismissed it angrily
from his mind.
Two patients were the extent of his
practice, One of them would die soon,
and the other was nearly we'll. The
income from them was hardly sufi-
Gent to pay his rent. The last two
letters from his father, ~inclosing much
needed checks, had been very curt.
One Of them had said: cit seems you
are old enough now to have an income
of your own"
In fact, young DR.. Struthers was at
his wits end. He was not the man to
worry over anything, however. There
would be a way out; he was sure of
that. He lighted a cigar, pulled at it
a time, walked over to a mirror and
looked at himself.
I'm not bad looking. I'm dressed
well enough. But I'm so deuced young
they won't put any confidence in me.
l have half a notion to go to my friend
Soutley Of the Academy Company,
have him make me up, put some lines
in my face, so [ would look about
thirty-fve. Then I'd require a brass
buttoned lackey to receive the patients.
If 1 could only capture one millionaire
d~yspeptic, n over-worked capitalist
and one aged dowager with the heart
disease-um-um-I'd risk the rest.
"Well, there's nothing to do but to
wait for them," he said, sitting down
again. II sometimes feel like hiring
a canvasser to solicit patients. "A
handsome, capable young doctor, care
full attention given to govt and dyspep-
STA; mild medicines used That doesn't.
sound badly. Hump! Medical dignity
prevents it, though. I must sit here
PCSACAAS1g CAAO VI uSO ~ U1dU AAbO1S hIChC1-
plated sign to do the rest"
At that moment q carriage drove UP
in front Of the house. The footman
alighted and opened the door for a
handsome young woman to step down
upon the stones. She gave the foot
man a signal, he climbed upon the box
and the carriage wheeled about and
drove away.
She rang the bell and called for DR..
Struthers. The doctor heard her call
and it gave him time to make a pass
at his hai1 with a brush, to tidy up his
clothes a bit and to mutter:
Here's a patient at last hope"
"Are you DR.. Struthers?" she asked,
standing in the doorway, a picture of
~loveliness and stylish clothes.
Eyes, I am, VIII you come in and
be seated?"
She sat down l~istlessly in the chair
provided for her, uttering a despairing
little sigh as she did so.
DR.. Struthers mustered all of his
dignity, selfpossession and wisdom,
As he looked at her for a moment be,
fore she spoke, he wondered if she
could be i'll at all, she was apparently
so rosy checked and healthy.
"You, see, DOCTOR" she said, "heart
disease is hereditary in the Tyler fam
lily and-and I've got it." This with
another despairing little sight.
Heart disease. Fortunes had been
made out Of heart disease. The doctor
took hope.
Yes" he said, slowly, waiting for
her to so on.
You see Skuyler said it was all my
imagination" she continued between
gasps for breath. 'They said I thought
1 had it when I hadn't it." There was
the suggestion OF q pout on her pretty
lips.
Very presuming of them, I am
sure" interposed Struthers.
She liked him for his sympathy and
she became more confidential.
81 know I have it. Why, when I go
up stairs it beats 50 fast and I can't get
my breath, just the way poor dear
mamma said her own did" She
reached for her handkerchief and
wiped away two small tears with it.
"Papa-I beg your pardon for not tell
ing you before, papa is Mr.. Cortland
Tyler-papa says it's all nonsense just
because DR.. Skuyler says SO. If DR..
Skuyler told papa he was going to die
to morrow papa would believed it, he's
such a goose" She stopped and blushed,
astonished at herself. ooh! I didn't
mean to saw that. but I'm sure I've got