Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-01-26


tors private office. He blinked at the
light from the two great windows, then
ID. forward hcsitatingly, with series of
spasmodic little bows, and vapid apollo
gec, galvanic little smiles The exact
normality of the doctors presence and manner were
reassurng he mentally guided his visitor to a
chair and put the usual professional.
What seems to be the matter?"
Probably you tell that, doctor"
Nervous prostration"
yes"
Caused by--not dissipation, evidently, nor hard
work, family cares"
mo, doctor, but by trying to carry the ass to
market"
"U-m-m--been sort of an easy mark"
"Yes. I seem to have lost all backbone and the
appalling part Of it, to me, is that it seems to be
the result Of having tried to do right and please
everybody"
TOO big contract
"But trying to do right all ones life, doctor,
surely ought not to result in complete mental chaos,
ought t--so that now l have spells of not knowing
what is right--can hardly tell right from wrong?
Don't think I'm fool doctor. I was brought
up by an excellent mother who taught me to OBJ
serve the Golden Rule and I've tried so hard to be
courteous and considerate toward other people that
I have become-we, doctor almost liar. say,
Yes to everything and everybody, whether mean
II or not, lest ShOud Oueuu OF ulStISsS d'SDouy'
l agree with them in words and disagree mentally.
Then call myself names-and I'm positive every
body else is calling fool. I'm not | only
want a basis I'm worn ont, mentally trying to ad-
just human opinions and standards, and it has al
fected my health"
"Ot course it has"
Then you don't think I'm fool doctor"
Eyes, do; but you don't need to continue to
be-"
81 mean--1'm not the only person in the world
who ever mean you seem to understand how
could get into such situation
Certainly do That's what ails half the
who think they have prostration-theyve
been such liars-aways saying the expedient or the
civil thing at the expense OF honesty"
at doesn't seem to be for medicine, doc
tor"
1T is not-nor for hygiene, nor outdoor exercise
or any other form OF physical cuture-nor for
religion--so-cacd"
Mr. Allison Fields sallow face flushed
81 know that II even had long talk with the
rector Of the church that my vile atends-bcfore
came here. It seemed to to be more OF case
for him than for you"
The doctors eyes twinkled.
Did he help you?'
Field shook his head YEARLY.
81 have just prescription for you, and if you
follow it you will be cured"
"And that is;'
"You must speak the truth OH all occasons-the
truth as you see it-your own human opinion, il you
prefer to call it that. You must speak it out boldly
and earlessly, especially il it is different from the
opinion OF those with whom you talking"
"But, doctor, that is impossible The world would
be chaos If everybody should go around saying what
he thinks. Whole plays have been put on the stage
to show the complications that result from trying
to speak the plain truth under all circumstances.
Why, doctor they would put me in an asylum for
the nsane"
The doctors face professionally indifferent
"Thcy will ii you don't" he said, in a tone OF
expected fnaity. Field stared, in new terror. 1t
was one thing to fear this in the still watches of the
night-dreadiul then--but worse-much worse--to
hear it codly voiced in the light OF day under the
keen, searching eyes OF man who was supposed to
know.
rs there aernative%
"None. Truth is imperative and will not be
Knocked 1t is fundamental to our being and cannot
be trincd with"
"But everybody will hate mel'
"You haven't tried it yet Are your thoughts and
opinions terrible? You might begin How
do you like this necktic l am wearngN
T-ah, we'll doctor-I-"
"Out with it, man! Out with it"
Field wiped his brow,
ri don't like your necktie doctor"
"Good! Good Why don't you like it?"
ct Oh CAD, doctor the necktie is all right"
"Mattcawan"
Cad! Well. the tie is too youthful for man of
your years"
"Goodr
at lacks dignity"
splendid! You're coming on all right But your
own neckte isn't much to brag Of"
"Im sorry you don't like it"
"Tut, tut man! Stand by your guns"
"rhs necktie is rich and harmonious ! can
readily understand that it might not appeal to a
of your crude and hashy taste, but it is artistic and
handsome"