The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-14
MY FIRST PATIENT.
It's Death Taught a Lesson Never
to Be Forgotten.

had been in my new lodgings for q
week. A week that had dragged itself
along in an endless series of days,
everyone bringing to me the dreams
and hopes of an entire lifetime. Over
the glass door of my neat little apart
ment the white door plate with which
it is customary to announce the Office OF
practising physician had shone for q
week. For the same length of time my
little receptionand consulting room had
waited with its dark curtains and
straight-baczed chairs for the patients
who were to come to seek the advice
and help of DIR. Max Erhardt. After
all, had no cause to wonder that my
room remained so empty in the first
days, for the neighborhood had first to
get accustomed to my name, and to the
fact that they could find good medical
advice in, their near vicinity. All this 1
said to myself comfortingly at that
time. When by good fortune should
be able to heal only one patient. then
the situation would quickly change.
My reputation would increase, and
soon the rush of people 10 my consuita-
ton room would proclaim my success.
l should soon go about in a pretty little
carriage, with dark brown horse
driven by respectable coachman;
then, indeed, then
At last, thought which completely
overpowered me came into my mind.
was again in spirit with my Cousin
Marie, who certainly would make the
prettiest of doctors wives that one
could imagine. +, l loved my fair cousin.
AS boy, I had shown her every little
chivalrous service which in either
stronger comrade. AS a junior in
school, had Inscribed my first poem to
her; and as senior had badly injured
my voice, which was just then turning
to baritone, by singing necessarily
of ''the haxen-haired girl" When re-
turned home after passing the first ex-
animation, the first thing of all the STU
dent noticed was that the haxen-
haired girl" had come to love him as
completely as he loved her. butneither
said anything on that subject My uni
versitv period passed by. All the time
/ worked earnestly, and whenever I
had undergone the tedious struggle of
examinations VIGOROUSLY, Marie's dear
eyes seemed to express her lively inter-
est in the successful accomplishment
of all my endeavors. And when Cousin
Marie, greeting me on my return, said,
softly: Herr Doctor Erhardt," 1 looked
deep into her dear eyes, and said. still
more softly: Frau Doctor Erhardt."
Then l saw bright blush come over
her face, as she turned hastily toward
the window seat
Now and then, during the next few
days, l had opportunity to speak to
Marie of all the castles IL Spain which
a young physician could build in his
empty dwelling; but dared not inform
her of my dream in regard to the;future
doctors wife. There ilay in the blue
eyes of my dearest an expression which
kept back my words even when they
almost found utterance. had no,doubt
that Marie would eventually be my
dence 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 professional achievement would
proclaim my ability to Marie.
With my thoughts absorbed in all
these things, sat on the afternoon of
dreary November day in my consulta-
ton room. and at first failed to notice
faint ring at my bell. Then arose to
open the door myself, IS l had sent my
errand boy to market
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 likely it was patient
of high birth, and l should certainly
receive rich reward and fame, and-I
was already married to my dear Marie
opened the door In the half dark
of the late November day stood poor
ly-clad woman before me. Out of her
haggard and charcoal-blackened tace
looked pair OF great dark eyes be-
seechingly at me-
doctor" said the woman, in trem-
bling voice, doctor. be merciful, o,
please My little Marie is so sick"
The name atoned for the woman's I'm
promising appearance, which conceded
badly with my latest dreams
WHO are you? Who sent you to me?"
ash cd
No one" the woman answered
quickly and in low voice. 20 doctor.
do cone. have been carrying coal all
day from the wagon into house near
by. live over there in the courtyard.
Ny child has been sick since yesterday.