The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-09-23
MY FIRST PATIENT.
It's Death Taught a Lesson Never
to Be Forgotten.

had been in my new lodgings for q
week. week that had dragged itself
along in an endless series of days,
everyone b-inging 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 a
week. For the same length of time my
little receptionand consulting room had
waited with its dark curtains and
STRAIGHTFORWARD 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
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 to my consulta-
tion room would proclaim my success.
should soon go about in pretty little
ctrriage, with dark brown horse
driven by a respectable coachman;
then, indeed, then
A last, Il thought which completely
overpowered me came into my mind.
] was again in spirit with my Cousin
Marie, who certainly would make the
prcttiest of doctors wives that one
could imagine. loved my fair cousin
As boy, had shown her every little
chivalrous service which in either
house or garden is demanded of the
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 fiaxen-haired girl" When re-
turned home after passing the first ex-
animation, the first thing of all the stu
dent noticed was that ''thc flaxen-
haired girl had come to love him as
completely az he loved her, but neither
said anything on that 5ubiect. My uni
versity 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 inter-
est in the successful accomplishment
of all my endeavors. And when Cousin
Marie, greeting me on my return, said
softly: Herr Doctor Erhardt," looked
deep into her dear eyes, and said, still
more softly: 'Frau Doctor Erhardt." +"
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
Marie of all the castles in Spain which
young physician could build in his
empty dwelling; but dared not inform
her of my dream in regard to the future
doctors wife. There lay 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
wife, but it seemed as if lack of conf
dence in my ability as ii 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 thi,lgs, sal on the afternoon of
a drcnry November day in my consulta.
tion room, and at first failed TO notice a
faint ring AT my bell. Then arose to
oren The door myself, as had sent my
erraiiI boy to market
confess that. during the few steps
whicb were necessary 10 bring me to
the door, food of strange thought,
came over me. a caller was seeking
my help Very likely it was patient
OF high birth, and should certainly
.recriyc rich reward and fame, and--I
was already married to my dear Marie
opened TIE door In the half dark
of tho late November day stood poor
ly.clad woman before me. Out of her
hnggard and charcoal-blacscned face
looked pair OF great dark eyes be-
scechingly ut me.
''Doetor," said the wo,nan, in trem-
bling voice. 'doctor, be inerciful. o,
pleuse. MyIiitle Marie is SO sick"
Inc name ;ttonei for the woman's un-
promiripg appealuner. which, coincided
batl,y NTH my latest Dreams
''Avp. aie yen? Mo seat you to 'ne?'
] as.,cd. q