The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-07

''Take this chair, If you please, said the doctor, motioning his visitor into we'll worn rocker near the window.
 Harrell seated himself, as he did so looking keenly, almost dehantly, into the face of the other man. It was face a trlne lined-old, if one cared to so phrase it-yet the eyes were bright and steady, and the whole expression less one of pro- fessiona solicitude than of genuine kind liness. There was no apology in Dr. Wal lingford's attitude, nor any feeling of ln- adequacy apparent in his demeanor. Might l ask your name?' he inquired.
 My name Is Willard Harrell. l live over on the avenue, q block or so.'
 Yes thought as much"
 "IIow did you know?' The doctor smiled.
 "One does not reach the station Willard Harrell has attained in life without be- ing known even in the city" said he; but there was no flattery in his speech Why did you come here, MT Harrell?' he continued.
 Because I needed you7that is, because I needed some doctor very much. l went out after Arnold and others whom I know In some way I got over here-I am in bad way doctor"
 The physician nodded silently " ou need not explain" said he gently That Is, you need not explain your coming here. The main question Is whether or not I can be of help to you.'
 "Oh then, there can be help you think? And, doctor do you feel-that is-are you competent in a case like this?'
 q am not a specialist" said Dr. Wal lingford, quietly. T am not great man. But, without making any off-hand dag nosis, I think perhaps l can be of use to you l do not wholly need to be told, from the look of your eye, the color of your skin. your general expression, your actions, that you are in very nervous condition. Perhaps you suffer from a touch of neurasthenia-that is as good a word as any for it. You see, have told you l am not a specialist
 Harrell sat and stared at him, but could find no immediate comment. The speech of the other was simple and free from any egotism, yet in some way 1t seemed to carry conviction. The agony on Har- rell's face carried no less conviction in turn.
 'You are probably living in hell, sir" said Walingford, looking at him again.
 How did you know" blurted out Hdr- rell. "Who told you. and why should it be so? l have done nothing-besides, what do you know about it?'
 Dr. Wallingford smiled "No one can know anything about it." said he. who has not died and walked unburied, as you do now
 And you mean to tell me" Harrcll h If sprang up from his chair
 T mean to tell you this much. The nervous system may be hurt in many diff ferent ways for many different persons. Without introducing my own affairs, I can tell you that I understand something of your present condition. l am, unfortu- nately, qualified to understand it.
 IJarrnll drew long breath and turned his head His eye was restless. his brow moist yet perforce he listened.
 'In your case" went on the even voice of the physician, "the cause was success In my own case 1t was failure. As 10 that. joy and sorrow, excess and want, success and failure-eaeh has the symp- toms of it's opposite"
 Harrell turned back now, his chin Tn his hand. "One thing l can spy as to your self doctor" he said, and that is this, I would trade places with you now, even up. my success for your failure. You got well"
 'Yes. and so shall you. MT. Harrell. do not doubt" replied Wallingford quietly.
 A slow flush came over his visitors face Again he drew deep breath. If I could believe thatr'
 Don't believe anything about yourself just yet, MT Harrell. If you knew that every messenger that brought you tele- gram was bringing you a false one. was reportjng to you false news would you feel warranted in believing them?"
 Meaning =
 "Your nerves are messengers, Mir. liar rell, unworthy ones. and unreliable at this time"
 But I cannot dispense with them, I cannot discharge them"
 NO, but perhaps we can put them under a reform management. Let us see. Now you ask me to tell you my own