Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-05-15
MY FIRST PATIENT.
BY MARK BoYEN.

/ had been a week in my new
apartment. A week-a short time
and yet it seemed in the retro
spect like an endless succession Of
days, each one of which contained
the dreams and hopes of an entire
life time.
For whole week the white porce-
lain sign of practicing physician
had shone in splendor at the street
entrance and upstairs on tie glass
door of my neat little fiat.
For q whole week my small recep-
tion room, with its dark curtains
and its straight-backed chairs, had
waited for patients to avail them
selves of the advice and help of DR..
Max Erhardt.
1t did not really surprise me at
all that my office was empty for
few days, because, as told myself,
consolingly, the neighborhood must
become familiar with the fact that it
had good medical advice right here
in its midst.
After I bad sent away my first
patient completely cured, things
would be assuredly different. Then
after my growing reputation had
been announced to the neighborhood
or better still to the whole city by
crowd of patients in Office hours as
well as by neat little coupe, which
dignifed coachman would drive
through the principle streets-then,
yes, then
And so I came to the dream which
occupied me most. l fancied my.
self again with my cousin Mary, who
would certainly fit the role of doc
tors wife most delightfully."-.
was in love with my little gold
en.haired cousin. AS boy I had
shown her all those little knightly
attentions which are possible from
the stronger playfellow in the house
and on the play ground. AS jun
ior had dedicated to her my first
poem, and as q senior | had nearly
ruined my Uniformed baritone voice
by continually singing about the
"faxen-haired maiden"
When l came home, after passing
my first examination, the young
medical student became sure that
the "faxen- haired MAIDEN returned
his love with all her heart yet not
word was spoken.
My university course Was finished.
Whenever l was working unusually
hard or fighting successfully the
tiresome battle of final examination,
in spite of my preoccupation, my
dear Marys eyes were constantly in
my thoughts and seemed to be TAX
ing the liveliest interest in the re-
suits of NY efforts.
When my little cousin, greeting
my home coming, whispered softly,
"Dr. Erhardt," I looked deep into
her eyes and whispered, just as soft
ly, "Mrs. DR.. Erhardt." Then I
saw a bright blush pass over her
face, as size drew quickly back into
the window niche.
In the following days / had op-
portunity to talk with Mary about
all the air castles which a young
physician in his empty office has
abundant time to build but / did
not venture yet to discuss my dream
of the future doctors wife. There
lay at times in my sweetheart's blue
eyes an expression which drove the
words back even when they were
trembling on my lips.
Not that l doubted in the least
that Mary's heart belonged uncon-
ditionally to me; no, it seemed as
rather lack of confidence in my
professional ability lay in her glance
and my pride induced me to keep
silent, until a report of my first in
dependent case should call forth
Mary's full appreciation and unlimit-
ed confidence in my chosen voca-
ton.
| sat in my consulting room bur-
led in such thoughts as these on the
afternoon OF this duh November day.
l had barely heard the timid ring
with which some one begged admit
lance. I rose to open the door in
place of the little page whom l had
sent on an errand. During the few
steps that ] had to take, l confess
that / was overwhelmed by feed
! of the widest fancies. Here was {