The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-11-09

HE next caller was shown into the doc
tors private Office. He biiuked at the
light from the two great windows, then
= Went forward hesitatingly, with a series OF
spasmodic little bows, and vapid, apollo
getic, galvanic little smiles. The exact
norrnality OF the doctors presence and manner were
reassuring as he mentally guided his visitor to a
chair and put the usual professional.
"What seems to be the matter:"
Probably you can tell me that, doctor"
Nervous prostration."
eyes"
Caused by-not dissipation, evidently, nor hard
work, nor family cares"
"No, doctor, but by trying to carry the ass to
market"
"U-m-m-been sort Of an easy nark?"
Eyes. 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 a contract"
~But trying to do right all ones life, doctor,
surely ought not to result in complete mental chaos,
ought it-so that now 1 have spells OF not knowing
what is right-can hardly tell right from wrong:
Don't think I'm a fool, doctor. I was brought
mp by an excellent mother. who taught me to OBJ
Berve the Golden Rule, and I've tried so hard to be
courteous and considerate toward other people that
= u0VS UGSOulS-"Cu, uOSlOi, dllllCSl d 1 say,
Yes to everything and everybody, whether I mean
h or not. lest I should offend or distress anybody.
agree with them in words and disagree mentally.
Then ! call myself nanes-and I'm positive every
body else is calling ME a fool. I'm not. l only
want a basis. I'm worn out, mentally, trying to adj
3ust human opinions and standards, and it has al
fected my health"
@ course it has"
you don't think I'm a fool. doctor"
"Nes, 1 do; but you don't need 20 continue to
be-"
II mean-1'm not the only person in the world
who ever l mean. you seem to understand how l
could get into sucl, a situation"
Certainly l do. That's what ais half tie women
who think they have nervous prostration-they've
been such liars-always saying the expedient or the
civil thing at the expense of honesty"
"It doesn't seem to be a case for medicine, doc
tor"
st is not--nor for hygiene, nor outdoor exercise
or any other form OF physical cu!ture-:o. even 70.
religion-so-cal!ed.'
Mr.. Allison Fields sallow face flushed.
II know that. Ii even had a long talk with the
rector of the church, t.aat my wife attends-beiore 1
came here. 1t seemed to nc to be more OF a case
for him than for YOU"
The doctors eyes twinkled.
Did he help you::"
az Suooh HIS NtdIIy.
~ have just one prescription for you, and if you
Follow it you will be cured"
".And that Isl"
"You must speak the truth on all occasions-the
truth as you see it-your own human opinion, ii you
prefer to call it that. You must speak it out boldly
and fearlessly, especially if it is different from the
opinion Of those with whom you are 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 ii, an asylum for
the insane!"
The doctors face was professionally Indifferent.
"They will if you don't" he said, in a tone of un-
expected fnality. Field stared, in new terror. 1t
was one thing to fear this in the still watches of the
night-dreadful, then-but worse-much worse-to
hear it coldly voiced in the light of day under the
keen, searching eyes of a man who was supposed to
know.
els there no alternative?"
None. Truth is imperative and will not be
Knocked. 1t is fundamental to our being and cannot
be triaed with"
"But everybody will hate mel"
You haven't tried it yet. Are your thoughts and
opinions so terrible? You might begin on me. How
do you like this necktie I am wearing?"
"1-ah, we'll, doctor-I-"
"Out with it, man! Out with It'll"
Field wiped his brow.
Il don't like your necktie, doctor"
Good! Good! Why don't you like it,"
cit Oh CAD, doctor, the necxtie is all right"
"Matteawan!"
Cad! Well, the tie is too youthful for a man of
your years."
"Good!"
ut lacks dignity"
Splendid! You're coming on all right. But your
ewn necktie int much to brag Of"
"I'n, sorry YOU don't like it"
-, tut, man! Stard by your guns!"
IS necktie is rich and harmonious. I can
~ understand that it might not appeal to a man
"ur crude and aashy taste, but it is artistic and
La.l~ane."