The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-12-08

N@ANl9 the conclusion that
fSSh 81 the sooner we did
IfN so the better; more
w especially as the
M/ introduction of a
w new factor into our
relationship was to
my u naccustomed
mind in certain sense improper and
irksome, although by no means I'M
pleasant. Also it wasted time and
tended to direct our attention from the
vast undertaking to which we were
pledged. Accordingly, within very
few days of the occurrence already de-
scribed, visited a register, and hav-
ing, as it seemed to me, paid several
unnecessary fees, provided myself with
q license. On my way back 1 walked
down Fleet street, thinking amiably
of getting married and Dr. Johnson,
and intending to take the omnibus at
.Charing Cross. AS went happened
to look up. and my eye fell upon no
tice to the effect that certain we'll
known life assurance company had its
Then it was that the idea first oc-
CURED to me that I ought to insure
my life. SO that, should anything hap
pen to me, Fanny might have some
thisf to keep her from poverty. AS
It Vas, she would have absolutely
nothing. All that had, and that my
wife had brought with her, was strictly
settled upon the boy John in such a
way that I could not even give my
subsequent wife life interest in it,
or part of it. stopped there in the
street, and having given the matter
a few moments consideration, came
to the conclusion that it was my duty
TO provide for Fanny to small extent
say two thousand pounds.
Upon this decision. I crossed the
roadway, and, entering the office,
ome inquiries from clerk. AS it
happened, the doctor attached to the
company was at that moment in at
tendance and disengaged, so thinking
that 1 could not do better than get
disagreeable business over at once, l
sent up my card and asked to see him.
The messenger returned presently,
with a request that I would step up"
which accordingly did, to find myself,
10 my establishment, in the presence
OF an old fellow-student of my own,
With whom had in former days been
't0lerably intimate, but whom 1 had
not seen for years. We greeted each
other cordially enough, and after few
minutes talk told him the business l
had in hand, and he began his medical
examination with the series of stock
questions which doctors always put
upon these occasions.
The only point upon which he dwelt
at all was insanity, and he was so
persistent upon this matter that per-
ceived he had heard some of the
r1mors about me being mentally de-
ranged, which my friends and relations
had so materially assisted to spread.
However, l got through that part of
the business, and then l undid my
shirt, and he proceeded with the ply
Steal examination. First he applied
the stethoscope to my heart, and
quickly removed it, evidently satisfied.
Then he placed it over my right lung
and listened. While he did so, saw
his face change, and a thrill of fear
shot through me as it suddenly came 10
my mind that l had experienced some
trouble there of late, of which had
taken no notice, and which had, in
deed, quite passed out of my mind
Next he tried the other lung, and
placed the stethoscope on the table.
What is the matter?" asked, keep
ing as calm face as I could, for l
could tell from his look that there was
something very wrong.
Come, Gosden, you are a medical
mas yourself, and clever one, and
there is no need for me to tell Won
about it."
Upon my word" 1 answered, 81
know nothing Of what you mean.
have not bothered about my own
health for years; but, now think of it.
have had some local trouble on the
chest, last winter especially. What is
it? It is better to know the worst"
"<Our rule here" he answered dryly.
is not to make any communication to
the person examined; but, as we are
brother practitioners, suppose 1 NAV
dispense with it, and tell you at once
that cannot recommend your life to
the board to be insured upon any
terms. That is what is the matter with
you, old fellow" and he went on. in
terms too technical for me to write
down here, to describe the symptoms of
~ooe of the most deadliest, and vet
most uncertain, forms Of lung disease.
in short to pass sentence of death up-
on me.
L do not think am a coward, and I
hope I took it we'll. The bitter irony
Of the whole thing lay in the fact that
while was in active practice, had
made this form of disease a special
study, and used to fatter myself that
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