The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-01-30
A Doctors Story.

"You know nothing aDouI
ance," said a noted physician. Sou'u
write volumes that would amaze you.
"Write one" I said, .h--
'It would be breach of honor. "A phy'
sician. like Romishh priest, may Now noo ur
he % added. "Our profession takes US into
homes And lives and hearts that seer,
nj bright and happy are often dark ana
r,;serahle from sickness OF the SOUL. -,
"Tbere must be some scenes that y
would be proper for you to tell me,
urged: "please think Of some" ;.
Il was called to the wife OF a distn.
onished gentleman. Her husband sat by
her bed tanning her, and lovely oou'
ouet of flowers was on the stand by her
side Two little girls were playing quietly
in the room. 1t was charming picture
of love and devotion. :, L.
INV wife fell down stairs said her
husband, and fear has hurt herself Sc
II examined her shoulder. 1t was swol'
len and black, and one rib was broken.
"'How do you find her? asked her nus
~ will ask the questions, # You please
How did you so iniure yourself:
"I fell on the stairway H.,
81 hesitated. l was not in paddy
shanty, but in the home OF we!i-kno"n
and unstaihed man. l re-eSamiheu hei
side. -,
Last night he said, after a second
pause and glance at her.
"My resolve was taken. ~,
"'Please show me the place on tne
stairs where she struck ! said to the nus,
band rising and going out: he lo!io"eu
"I was not with her when she FELL he
said. ,r :.
"The injury was not from fall, and 1t
was not done last night. Never try to de-
ceive Doctor -,
"'she begged me not to tell you the
truth ..1.,
"'Then get another physician, l said;
"I will tell you the whole truth. Night
before last | had been out to dinner -,
"I saw your brilliant speech in the
paper. Was it winc.inspired" :.
"'Partly. Most of the after-diinner
speeches are to a degree. came home
excited by the fine dinner, wit, wisdom
and wine of the evening, and went: not to
bed, but to the closet and drank heavily.
NV wife heard me and came down, hoping
to coax me up stairs, as she had done
many times. But she was too late. My
reason and manhood were gone and l
pounded her and left her. She tried to toll
low me, but fell on the stairs. After a
time she crawled, she says, up stars, and
went into the nursery ard slept with the
little girls. / slept, and woke with a herce
headache, and went out at once, thinking
no breakfast and the outdoor air would
clear nv head for my morning engage
ments. | pledge you my honor l had Tor
gotten l struck my wife. When came
back last night I found her suffering, but
she would not permit a physician should
be sent for lest it should disgrace me.
think she really tries to believe that she
hurt herself, more or less, when she fell
And with an honest quiver OF the chin ne
added: She is an angel and wine is
devil
"'What are winebibhers?
"'Own children of their father. Is my
wife seriously hurt!
"I cannot tell yet. I fear she is
More absolute, untiring devotion nc
man ever gave wife than he gave her
while she lived and suffered. When her
noble, true, loving heart ceased to throb
he was inconsolable. His love and devo'
ton were the theme of every lip, and the
Providence that so afflicted him was called
Strange in tone of semi-censure! On
her tomb is cut: Beloved wife, He has
gone to her now, in that land of no IL
cenSe.
NO one but myself ever knew the
truth. ."-Selccted by New York Witness.