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THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON, D. 0., THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1883.
P FIRST FEB
A. Leaf from the Ditiy of a Young
Physician.
i.
I four I am not saying anything very origi
ns! when I mention that my father ww a poor
clergyman. There are hundred of poor clergy ;
naturally their sons can be reckoned by thou
sands. I know there were thirteen of us, and
how we all managed to find standing room in
our small North Country vicarage seems a itmr
vel to me when I look back ujon that time of
growing up. And then the struggle to settle
the professions of eight sons. Mine was, how
ever, soon fixed upon. My aunt's husband, a
Scotchman and an JL D. in a country town, said
he would bring mo up io his profession, pro
vided I eventually became his partner, and in
this manner repaid him the cost of my educa
tion. The proposal sounded well; anyhow, it was
accepted. But, ah ! (ho realization was differ
ent, lie never praised nio when I worked my
eolf almost to death in order to pass brilliant
examinations, and only grunted when at last I
came to settle down with hinr in a desperately-
dull town, after having come out lirst on the
list at Edinburgh.
My uncle can-d naught for my being Arthur
Merrifield, M. D. I was to be his white slave,
and repay with hard labor what he had spent
on me. I honestly tried my lxt to please
him; the practice increased considerably, but
timo wont on, and still my uncle never spoke
n word about money affairs. I was more than
a iartner as to work, but no partner at all as to
And yet I felt thrtf I could make a name,
also :i fortune, if only I could get a fair chance.
And the five girls at homo were expecting
grand things of me, which looked as though
Uiey might never be realized, for even if I
persevered till my uncle died and left mo his
practice 1 might by that timo have beconio
gray with age and unable to begin to make my
way.
At last I could bear it no longer, and one day
determined to come to an understanding with
him. I am sorry to say this ended in a regular
quarrel, and I declared I would seek my for
tune in London. My uncle called me all sorts
of names, which, as they were the reverse of
complimentary, I will not repeat, and I re
spectfully disagreed with him. Ilis last words
were :
"I should like to know, sir, how you are
going to find a patient in London ? " I did not
answer him, for I was perfectly unable to do so;
but 1 had courage and perseverance. "Whcro
there's a will there's a way," I thought, and
thus I left my uncle's house, knowing well
enough Unit I should never sec a penny of his
money.
I will pass over the many difficulties T nest
encountered; the applause of tho other twelve
as to my conduct, and the regrets of my father,
who had fancied I, at least, was olf his mind,
and lastly, the difficulty of finding any one to
lend me some money wherewith to make a
start. I meant to begin at once in good stylo ;
nothing venture, nothing have, and I was de
termined to have one of tho best practices in
town.
At last a part of my dream was realized. But
yot it was all very well to be the occupant of a
respectable-looking house in a quiet London
muare; to have gone to the expense of a brass
plate on which was neatly engraved " Dr. Ar
thur Merrifield;" further to have engaged a
worthy, middle-aged female to answer the door,
if tho door-bell had ever been rung and tho
master inquired for. Alas! I was beginning to
feel depro6ed m nunil because no patient ap
peared and no lees fijled my pockets.
I had told the five girls at homo that my
house would soon be besieged at all hours of
the day and night. I had even had a night
bell attached, which rung in a deafening man
ner, close to my cars as 1 lay in bed ; and, best
of all, I had contrived a peep-hole through my
window shutter, in order to distinguish the
rank of the visitor who disturbed my slumbers.
But up to now I had slept peacefully night
after night, and I might have slept all day if
I had so wibhed it, for no patients had come to
asime to "curs them.
" And yet," I thought, as I paced the flifor of
my consulting-room, where no consultation
had ever taken place, "and yet that rich
youug Jones promised that he would recom
mend me to the first of his relations who fell
ill. The constitution of tho Jones family must
bo terribly good, for 1 am sure the fellow meant
what he said ; he is good nature itself. Per
haps I had been a fool, after all, and I had
better have stayed with my uncle, where at
least my food cost nothing."
You must understand that my spirits had
reached far below -ro to be able, even in my
most private thoughts, to wonder anything of
the kind. And, curiously enough, it was at this
very moment that my front door bell was sud
denly rung in u furious manner. 1 very nearly
rushed out to open the door myself, only I was
met by Mi. Davis, who had run up from be
low almost as much oscited as I was at this
unprecedented event.
"Show the visitor into the consulting room,
Mrs. Davis," I whispered, "and say you'll see
if I am disengaged."
I retired into a small study next to the con
sulting room and separated from it by folding
doors. It was here I had my meals, and, be
sides my bod-room, it was at present the only
furnished room in tho house. But hardly had
I closed tho door when I recognized the loud,
jovial tones of " young Jones," who rather un--jjarenioniously
entered my den.
Tom Jones was the son of a Tich brewer,
and, knowing very well that he would come in
for heaps of money, had considered it would
really bo waste of time to settle to any profes
aion. Ho was, however, a good-natured, gen
urous youth, delighted to'do a kindness, and
with no greater vice than a lovo of doing noth
ing UMjful.
"Hello, Merrifield!" he exclaimed, "how are
you y Worked to death, I expect, since you set
up on yourowu iiook. j've only come to town
this very day, but I made a point of hunting
you up, as I promised. 1 came at lunch time,
for fear, otherwise, of finding you closeted with
some rich hypochondriac."
" I am not very busy just now," I answered,
"but delighted to see you at any time."
"Well, how many foes have you taken?"
asked the irrepressible Jones. " Of course,"
London is already ringing with yoar praxes."
J wish he would talk on some other subject,
but truth compelled me to answer, carelessly:
"No, no, not yet: these are early days; the
truth is, I have very few patirnta. To be quite
open with you, my dear lellow, you are my
Arst."
Jones jumped up, pulled a face, and then
jV8 his chest a mighty slap, intimating ho
waa perfectly isou ml in that direction.
'My dear doctor, I wish I could think there
wag anything the matter with me, but, upon
ay word, 1 never felt better in my life. J
haven't a pain or au ache about me. However,
if the case is as you ay,you won't quite despise
my news; I tar it is not worth more than a
guinea foe, but it may lead to more. My rich
old uncle, Jonathan Dillon, is coining to con
sult you this very afternoon, because 1 told
hiuiyou we're tho very man he wanted; but I
jtict looked in to tell you that he is very
crotchety, and you must, maiiftge him properly.
A to his ailments, I don't believe they are of
much consequence, ix-causo he ha6 leeu just
the same ever since I was in arms. Never
looks a day older."
"I'll do my lHt jfsofrssionally." I said,
secretly believing thj rich man would not
turn up. " As io managing him, I am afraid
that is not in my line.'"
1 "Well, that's a pity, because if he were to
take a fancy to you yu would want no other
reoomruendation. He'll recommend you right
and left, and the whole Dillon class arc disgust
ingly rich. And all inherit asthma or bron
chitis, fact."
I began to express ray thanks, for in spite of
his off-band manner, K felt sure Jones had taken
some trouble about nj.e, but he only laughed at
my gratitude.
" Don't mention it. Besides, old Dillon may
take a dislike to you. However, he musn't
find me here; erluups he wouldn't lielieve I
had come to consult you, though, 1 did toll him
yen wero the cleverest lellow in London. And
so you arc, in my opinion ; I wouldn't mind
tolling the Queen as much if I had the chance."
And then he was gone. But no, once more he
turned back.
" I say, MerrifloYl, old Dillon's daughter is
Mire to come with him ; he nover goes out with
out he r : a p"rfi ct alave he makes of that girl !"
It was toward 4 o'clock on a winter's after
noon that a carriage and a pair dashed up to
my door; titea a grand footman jumped down
from the box and gavo the correct announce
ment of my first patient; I had just timo to
scape to my den before the front door was
opened. I heard voices, then a loud cough,
then doors being closed. Yes, my first patient
hml come. In another moment his card was
handed to me, and on it was written :
" Mr. Jonathan Dillon."
II.
I entered the room in my most professional
manner, and, looking straight before me, at
orcesaw what was unmistakably ' old Dillon,"
but so much wrapped up that very littlo more
than a quarter of his lace was visible. I can
honestly say I never noticed Miss Dillon till
Iwr father himself waved a small fat hand in
her direction, saying :
"My daughter, Dr. Merrifield; sho always
amies with mo wherever I go, for I am so in
ilrin J don't think it is safe to be left alone
out she oujoys excellent health. This last re
mark was said in a most deplorable tone, and
;is I turned 1 almost started with surprise, for
old Dillon's daughter was a small, delicately
Kiade girl, who could not bo much more than
seventeen years old. Her forehead was en
circlcd by the most golden hair I had overseen,
and her face, though not what could be called
extremely beautiful, was yet ono of the sweet
est I had over gazed at. The expression was
so simple, the largo blue eyes were so innocent
and shy, that for a moment I was completely
lost in wondering how such a man as the one
before mo had any right to possess such a
daughter. Miss Dillon was evidently very re
tiring, and at this moment also feeling dc trap.
" I dare say, Dr: Merrifield," she said hur
riedly, blushing up to the roots of her hair,
"that there is a room I might sit in whilo you
hold your consultation. Papa never lkes mo
to leave him alono a minute, for fear anything
should happen. Anywhere will do."
I bowed and rang tho hell, saying, in as calm
a tone as possible: "Show Miss Dillon into tho
study."
The vision of fair hair having disappeared, I
gavo myself up to tho examination oi my pa
tient. After a careful inquiry, 1 came to a
conclusion which made me certain that this
was the last timo I should eeo Mr. Dillon, the
truth being there was nothing much tho matter
with him; that tho old man was a regular
hypochondriac; in fact, that all his ailments
were imaginary. But yet, come what might,
I must speak the truth ; even for tho e.tke of
further ices I must not givo a dishonest opin
ion. I would not be tho first of tho thirteen to
act a lie.
Mr. Dillon now began to givo mo a minuto
account of his ailments and to repeat tho ad
vice of various doctors.
"And now, Dr. Merrifield, I feel sure you will
agree with me in thinking it absolutely im
perative that I should leave Englaud at onco
to cure this troublesome cough."
If only I could havo agreed with him;
but no.
"Quite the contrary," I said calmly. "I
think you should stay in England, the finest
and most healthy climate for a constitution
like yours."
" Bless me ! bless me ! " ejaculated Mr. Dillon,
looking distressed. " Bo you really think so ? "
" Without a shadow of doubt, sir-"
"But about exercise? I ought to take vory
little, of course?"
" Not at all ; the moro you walk tho hotter it
will bo for you."
"You are quite unique, sir, in your opinion
remarkable ! But abouta prescriition, doctor.
I suppose you will write ono for me, to allay
this cough, for instance?"
"No," I answered, "any ordinary lozengo
will suffice." 1 knew now I had signed my
death-warrant; or rather, I thought lknew;
for what was my surprise when Mr. Dillon ox
claimed: " My dear sir, you aro the first physician
who has given me no prescription ! I believo
you understand my case. I hope I may como
and consult you as often as I feel tho need of
it; which need, I grieve to say, occurs fre
quently." I was amazed. Curiously enough, for onco
the truth had pleased the old man, but now I
was obliged to answer:
" I am sure you will find it quite unnecessary
to come again, unless tome unforeseen "
"Tut, tut, Dr. Merrifield, not ono of my
many medical advisers ever told mo not to como
again. I assure you I shall come again, what
ever you may say, and many times, too; and I
hopo to scud others of the family here. We all
have wretched constitutions all except Lucia;
I've often wanted her toseon doctor, but it's no
good; the girl never complains, even of head
ache." This time I really smiled. " I am suro we
doctors aro only too glad to see a lady in perfect
hail Hi, The present excited life which many
of them lead " but Mr. Dillon was not listen
ing to me, for ho suddenly turned round (for
ho hud risen to leave), coughed violently, aud
then, after a nervous fumbling among tho
pockets of his great coat, ho said :
"Bless me! 1 had nearly forgotten an impor
tant little matter. Believo me, sir, I never
gave a fee with greater pleasure or moro grati
tude." He pressed his fat hand into mine, and
I felt a small round thing slipped dextrously
into my palm. I then went to release tho vis
ion of fair hair from my den, and at onco hoped
that if Mr. Dillon did come apain Miss Lucia
would always accompany him. I escorted
the pair to the front door, and just as Mr. Dillon
had entered tho carriage his daughter made a
pretense to run back for a glove.
" Please forgive me, Dr. Merrifield," sho said,
looking right up into my faco with a most
anxious expression on her sweet countenance.
" Pleaso forgive mo, but what do you really
think of papa?"
"In excellent health, Miss Dillon. Pray
don't bo anxious." But before Bhe could say
any more her father called her impatieutly,
and she was gone with just one sweet smile and
a " Thank you so much," for all tho world as if
I had just cured her father of some obstinate
disease.
And now, clasping my first fee, I returned to
my room. There I unclasped my hand, and, in
the middle of my pal in, lay a bright, hard, yel
low ginger lozenge.
Tho expectation had been great, and tho
realization was so smaill that I burst out laugh
ing at my own bad luck and my discomfiture.
Yet not for a moment did it enter my head to
acquaint my patient with his mistake. 1 felt
sure if I.did so the vision of golden hair would
blush with confusion, even though 1 did not
see her, and the blue, truthful eyes would look
troubled.
No, my first fee was not worth a guinea, but
such as it was, I did not hate it, because ah,
well, I might well call myself a fool for even
fancying that 1, Arthur Merrifield, penniless
and in. known, should foramomout dream that
I had fallen in love at first sight with my rich
patient's only daughter.
I put tho lozenge away in a box, and that
night I again slept the sleep of a fecless pliysj
ciun. III.
The noxt day I found myself thinking of a
vision of fair hair, instead of Inking in the
sense of a clever treatise on the anatomy of tho
hand, which certainly could in no wuy be con
nected with the events of the day before.
Curiously enough, however, about 11 o'clock, a
cab drove up to the door, and what was my as
tonishment I need hardly buy pleasure when
Miss Dillon, followed by an elderly maid, made
her appearance. There sho stood, us fair and
soft and beautiful as tho day before, but, if o
sible, more shy and embarrassed. Tho little
hand she held out to me trembled visibly, and
she tid :
"Oh, Dr. Merrifield, can you forgive me for
dibturbing you this morning? I don't know
how I made up my mind to como, but I felt I
must, oven if if ." She paused, and, tears
almost canio into her blue eyes, whilo I could
think of no words suitable enough to tet her
mind at rest, beiugignoraut of what sho wanted
to say.
"Indeed, Miss Dillon, if there is anything I
can do for you I shall bo delighted; so I beg
you will not apologize for troubling me."
"It isn't that exactly," sho answered, onco
more looking at mo in a moat distressed man
ner. " Perhaps you require further particulars as
to your father's health. I must repeat what I
said yesterday "
"Oh, thank you, it was so kind of you; he
was much better last night; I know you will
do him good; but that was not what I wanted
to ask you oh, dear! you will think me so
rude, or else an impostor, or br "
"Impossible," I said, moro vehemently than
the case required.
"I don't know how to begin; I mean, per
haps you don't know tho peculiar way papa
keeps his accounts!"
I was startled at this question. Remember
ing the yellow lozenge in a box, I thought I
could say I did know one of Mr. Dilloi's pecu
liar ways of paying fees, but notor the world
would I toll this blushing, shy , bewitching girl
before me tho truth.
"I don't presume " I began.
"Oh, no, I am suro you don't I was going
to tell you about it. Papa always makes his
confidential man, Baker, put the same change
overymoruing into his pockets, and in theeven
ings, when Baker turns out the pockets, ho
just puts down in a book what is missing, aud
mukes up the number of tho coins tho noxt morn
ing. Ho does it just the same every morn
ing." I was getting rather puzzled myself now, and
could think of nothing moro original to say
than :
"Indeed?"
" Yes, it's quite true, or you seo I shouldn't
havo known about it." Hero tho fair vision
blushed still more. " Baker puts in a sover
eign, a half sovereign, a crown piece he finds
these rather difficult to get sometimes half a
crown, a shilling, a sixpence, a four-penny
piece, a three-penny piece, a penny, u half
penny, and a farthing."
" A very complicated way of keeping one's
money, isn't it? or, perhaps complicated for
Baker," I said, feeling it perfectly impossible
to repress a smile, though Miss Dillon's sweet,
earnest mouth kept so gr.ivo.
" No, it is quite simple when one understands,
because Baker knows exactly what a sovereign,
a half sovereign and all the rest comes to I
forget what it is but, oh, Dr. Merrifield!
Baiter knew wo had been yoterday to consult
a now physician, and in the evening there was
only a three-penny bit and a farthing missing,
aud so and so I knew I mean Baker knew
and he told me that papa must havo given you
something by mistake. It wasn't the farthing,
I can account for that, and but was il the
three penny-piece, or ?"
" Pray, dear Miss Dillon, don't distress your
self about such a littlo matter," I said hastily.
"Any timo will "
"Oh, no; but 'papa thinks ho paid jou, bo
cause he said to mo fee never gave a fee with so
much pleasure, so now I begin to flunk ho
must have given you " Miss Dillon quite
gasped, so that I hastened to fill in her pause,
this timo feeling quite distressed at her tumble
"Your father gavo me a very good ginger
lozenge, Miss Dillon; ono of those littlo mis
takes which will occur now and then. Pray
don't make yourself tho least uneasy about it."
"How very kind you are," sho said, again
holding out her hand, which I look, and forgot
to let go until she had done speaking." " 1 felt
suro it must be that, and then 1 thought per
haps you would think us impostors, and 1
knew you would bo too much of a gentleman
to mention it, and so do you think I was
wrong? I caure off with Mrs. Brown this morn
ing, and made up my mind I would explain
tho mistuko, only it was so dreadful. But I
don't mind now, that you look so kind about
it. And then would you do mo a great favor,
Dr. Merrifield? Would you mind not appear
ing to know anything about it, or that I came,
or anything, because papa doesn't know I am
out; he isn't down yet; and ho would bo so
distressed, he might never como again, and I
should bo so sorry, as you suit him exactly."
"Pray don't call this a favor," I said, as
gravely as I could. " I think you will believo
mo when I say that, without even knowing
your wishes on tho subject, I should never have
mentioned the tho lozengo."
"I don't know how to thank yon! Now I
must go." And then Miss Dillon put that
small gloved hand in her muff and drew it out
again, holding it out toward mo onco more, aud
this timo I felt a littlo square bit of paper in
my hand. Somehow our eye! met, and in spito
of the gravity of tho occasion wo both laughed,
feeling, 1 am sure, wo should never again bo
afraid of each other, as she said :
" Please, Dr. Merrifield, don't laugh at mo.
Is this tho right way to give a fee, because I
must tell you this is tho first timo in my life I
havo ever, had to givo one. I suppose somo
day I shall bo ill and want a doctor, but I never,
nover havo wanted to go to one beforo. And it
wasn't for myself this time, was it? you will
bear witness I mean, I hopo you won't ever
montion it; good bye. Now, Brown, I am
ready."
And just as a 'ray of sunshine comes into
ono's room, glimmers, dances and illuminates
the place for a time and then suddenly disap
pears, so Lucia Dillon had como and gone, and
that noisy four-wheeler took off my vision of
fair hair, leaving mo with a golden sovereigu
and. a now shilling wrapped m a small hfclf
sheet of paper, on the top of which, was btumd
the address of their London house. I folit&d
that piece of paper and put it away in n pocket
book among my treasures, such as my dear
mother's first letter to mo at school, and a
flower that a littlo girl of 7 years old had
dropped when 1, a U-year-old-urchiu, had fallen
desperately in love with her. There was noth
ing thero unworthy to lio next to the paper
that Lucia Dillon's lingers had touched.
Later in tho day I received a note from Mr.
Dillon heggiug mo, if I were not loo much en
gaged, to come ami seo him, as ho felt vory un
well. And if I would do him tho great favor
of dining and spending tho evening with them
he would bo very grateful, for ho saw so few
people on account of his wretched constitutijfi.
Well, I went, and spent a vory happy c vy
ing. It was only tho first of many more.fit
least during this first season. But Mr. Dillf n
was as good as his word ; from tho day of his
first visit my practico slowly but surely in
creased, though thero were years of up-hill
work. I had at last got a chance, and I seized
it. I worked with double energy, becauso at
the bottom of my soul I had another object be
sides the ono of making tho fivo girls at homo
proud of mo; I wanted a small, fair, blue-eyed
Lucia to be proud of me, and I wanted to bij
able to lay at her feet all that is best and grand
est in this life. But sho was a rich man's
daughter, and I was a struggling physician.
It was not till 1 had freed mybelf of all debt
and, though still a poor man I was compara
tively rich, for I had a good and increasing
practice that at last I made up my mind to
ask Lucia to bo my wife. I should not havo
had the face to do it even then, only a young
good-for-nothing aristocrat was perpetually
coming to tho house, and I knew thut if Lueia,
so young, uimplo, and innocent, becamo tbe
wife of that man her life would bo miserable
Tho fear of this, and somo amount of jealousy,
perhaps, made mo speak out one day. I shall
never forget Lucia's face when I had said somo
strong, earnest, passionate words. Sho put her
little hand once moro into mine, and looked
up with her beautiful, truthful eyes, as she half
sobbed :
" Oh, do you really mean it? Because, some
how, 1 think 1 have loved you over sinco"
" Ever since you gave me my first fee, my
darling," I said, as I drew her beautiful head
on my shoulder, and well, never mind tho
rest. "Well, Lucia," I added, "I loved you tbo
fa-bt moment I baw you. So you see I loved you
long beforo you caicd for me." But Lucia, w ho
is just a little matter of fact, shook her head
decidedly, aud said that that was all nonsense.
There was still the question as to what Mr,
Dillon would say about it; but our true lovo,
whiclfhad had to wait so long, this timo ran
smoothly. Mr. Dillon, who bljil suffered from
his wretched constitution, was delighted at
Lucia's choice, and said all kinds of compli
mentary things about my riting fame and my
other qualities. And so wo were married, and
tho five girls from home wero bridesmaids,
though they soon afterward married from our
house under Lucia's euro. And though I often
tell Lucia that tho last person she should havo
married was a popular physician, considering
sho is never ill, yet she always shakes her
pretty golden head and says gravely:
"But, perhaps, Arthur, some of the children
may inherit papa's wretched constitution."
As to tho story of tho ginger lozenge, Lucia
and I kept that a secret until Mr. Dillon died.
Ho left Lucia all his money and so ends this
true story of my first fee. Arguay.
Jnminrr and June.
11 y Margaret Johnson.
Said January to June:
"Prtiy, let us walk together,
The birds are ull in tune,
And sunny is the weather.
"And look you: I will show.
Beforo tbo long day cloaca,
A pretty sight I know,
Worth all your summer roses."
Then, us they went, tho air
Grew thlek with biiow-ilakes flying;
But nil the rote fuir
Hung down their heads, a-dyinjj.
Cried June, in sorrow: "Nay,
We may not walk together.
You 've turned my akin to gray,
Ajid tpoilud my golden weathor.
" Go now, I prny you, go,
Before nfy lust bud closes.
Take you your cold wlitto snow,
And givo mo buck my roses "
St. Nicholas for January.
Rheumatism Positively Cured.
Write for ritKU 40-pago pamphlet to 11. K.
Helphenstino, Druggist and Chemist, Wash
ington, D.C.
OUR YOUNG FOLKS,
Two Dollars a Visit, or How (lie
Doctor Was Paid.
By Katharine It. McDoiccll.
"Two dollars a visit!" cried Dot in dismay,
forgetting entirely that sho had come to look
for a spool of No. 40 in Mamma's drawer, and
opening her brown eyes wider and wider as
she read tho heading of an old bill of Dr. Cogs
well's. "Two dollars a visi! " she repeated. "Oh,
why doesn't Donnio g"et well ? Aud where is
all tho money to como from?" sho asked hcr
Bolf, sadlj'. "We will get very poor," contin
ued Dot, shaking her littlo brown head slowly
over the bill. Alter thinking awhile, sho
slipped the paper in her pocket and went
down -stairs.
Mamma and sialor Margie wore sewing.
Dot wont quietly to Mrs. Ledyard and whis
pered :
" Wo'll feci very poor afterward, wont wo,
Mamma?"
Mamma smiled. A sad smile, Dot thought,
as she replied: "You're better at guessing than
wo supposed. Now, why don't you take your
trimming, littlo daughter, and go into the
libiary? There's a nice fire on the hearth,
and you can work away like a bee. We'll
need it soon, you know," added Mamma, for
Dot was rather inclined to dream when sho
was alone.
" Wo'll need it soon," repeated' Dot, as sho
climbed up in the big libiary chair. "We'll
need it soon. Oh, hy didn't they tell mo?
Why did they leave me to find it out for my
self? I might have worked yards and yards
by this time, and sold them for over so much,
but I supposed it was just to givo mo some
thing to do, and I've sometimes not done moro
than one scallop in a whole afternoon," con
fessed Dot, as she made her little ivory needle
fly in and oub of her work, as if anyone could
ever make up for the time wasted.
"And to think I never one thought that
Mamma and Sister Margie were making thoso
things to sell, nor how much 'twas costing to
have the doctor coining eveiy day, and some
times twice a day. Poor Donnie ! Perhaps he's
worse than they tell me. Perhaps," and thero
was a great lump in her throat, "he's going to
die, and they aro leaving me to find that out."
Two great tears rolled slowly down tho pretty,
round cheeks. " But why, then, do they keep
a-lellin' me he's better?" Tho tears had
dropped on tho crochet trimming, aud two
more were following in their train.
Tom went into tho barn to clean hia gun.
Dot saw him.
"I'll a.sk him," sho decided, as sho put her
work hurriedly in a littlo silk handkerchief,
and started with it for tho barn. "He wont
tease mo when ho knows how badly I feel.
It was a very sad little faco that peered in at
the barn-door.
"Halloo!" was Tom's greeting. "Been
crying?"
" Yes," admitted Dot, in a voico that could
leave no doubt of it in any one's mind.
"What's up?" continued Tom, as he rubbed
away at his gun. " Want any help?"
" Oh, yes, Tom ; that's just what I've como
for. Wont you talk real sober with me? "
"Nary a smile from me," said Tom. Then,
glancing sidelong at tho little faco in tho door
way, ho added, "Como in and state your caso.
Hero's a scat on tho hay," as ho lifted her
gently upon a pile ho had just brought down
for tho horses. " Thero ! aro you cold ? "
"Not a bit," said Dot, smiling thankfully.
"I have brought my cloak."
"All right, then; go ahead," said Tom, cheer
fully. " Well, you know, Tom," began Dot, in' her
sweet, timid voice; " thore's a tecret in there,"
pointing toward tho house, "aud I never found
it out till this morning."
" So you found it out, did yon ? Well, I told
'em you would."
"1 wouldn't, but for tho bill."
"You wouldn't what?" asked Tom, who
was rubbing away again.
" I'll tell you about that afterward. When I
wont into tho sitting-room, Mamma and Margie
wero sewing."
"That certainly didn't surprise you ! " laughed
Tom.
"OTom! how can yon make fun of it all?
Mamma looked just ready to cry, and oh, oh,
oh, what can we over do about it!" as she
threw herself faco downward on the hay, and
sobbed as though her littlo heart would break,
while Tom stood by in speechless astonish
ment, wondering why the words "Two dollars
a visit " seemed mingled with her sobs.
"Does sho know, after all?" ho asked him
self. " I mustn't forgot my promise to Mother,
but I must givo tho child somo comfort," ho
thought, as ho went over toward tho littlo blue
cloak on tho hay.
" Como, Dot," said he, tenderly. "Don't cry.
You haven't told mo yet what the matter is.
Now we'll sit right up here, while you toll
Tom all about it."
After a while, Dot managed to say:
" Doesu't Dr. Cogswell charge people who are
ill two dollars every time he goes to see them?"
"Something like that, I believe," answered
Tom, wonderingly.
"It's exactly that," said Dot, feeling for tho
bill. " O Tom, wo must owo him hundreds of
dollars!"
Thero was a queer look in 'lom's eyes.
" I supposo wo do," he said.
" But have we got tho money to pay him ? "
questioned Dot, tho brown eyes swimming
again.
" No, I don't beliovo wo havo."
"Then, what aro Ave going to do?" saiu Dot,
with another bob.
"There, Dot," said Tom, soothingly. "Don't
bo so foolish as to cry. It's all coming out
right. 1 can't tell you now just how, but tako
my word for it.
"Tom," c:iJlcd Mrs. Ledyard, "they're all
waiting for you."
"Tho boys havo come, Dot," said Tom, giv
ing her a hasty kiss. " Now, remember not to
worry. It's coming out all right."
Dot sat a long timo on tho hay.
"Tom ulwuys thinks everything's going to
como out all right," sho said, determined to bo
miserable "He docs not know anything
about nionoy. Margie says so, and I know my
self he doesn't, 'cause I ouco owed him fivo
cents for weeks, and, when I went to pay him,
he'd forgotten all about it, and said I must havo
dreamed it. IIo's gon olf now to sleigh-ride
and doesn't cure how Card we're all workin'"
and tho little needle flew faster than ever. "I
just know he thinks Dr. Cogswell isn't going
to charge ; but he is, for hero's one bill, and
he's probably got another all ready.
" Ho could just us well not charge," she went
(on, "for Edith Olcott told mo he was over'n'
everso rich, and that he's got a hoiibo in the
city oven prettier than this. But how could
ono bo?" sho wondered. "How could any
room be lovelier than tho ono Mrs. Crane took
Edith and mo into tho other day ? the littlo
one with tho window looking on tho lake,
and tho little hedvith curtains and every
thing blue, carpet and all. Dr. Cogswell culls
it his littlo sister's room, and bho'a coming in
the spring."
The littlo lingers never did better work than
that day, for "Mamma wouldn't have told mo
they needed it if they didn't," Dot kept assur
ing herself. "Tom just wanted to 'comfort mo.
Ho doesn't know how hard they're workin'
and cryin.' "
That night Dot added to her prayer the
words, " 0 God, pleaso don't let it ho moro than
we can pay."
"Let what?" asked Mamma, as she tucked
her in bed.
" Tho doctor's bill," whispered Dot, her arms
very tight about Mrs. Ledyard's nuck.
Mrs. Ledyard smiled. Sho thought Dot was
half aslonp, so she tiptoed quietly down-stains
to the library, and there found Tom tolling
Margie about Dot's troublo.
Tho young doctor must havo been there, too,
or heard of it in some wuy, for he happened in
tho next morning right utter breakfast, and the
first thing he said was:
"I'm going to have my bill settled to-day,
little Miss Dot," as with a grave faco he took
out his memoranda.
" Let me see," he mused, " I began coming in
May. Two vibits a day, till why, it's nearly
Christmas, isn't it? Now, how much should
you think it would'come to?"
"Hundreds!" said poor littlo Dot, faintly.
"We want to be business-like," said Dr.
Cogswell; "supposo you get your slate and
figure it."
Dot run. " HTo isn't going to lot us off a pen
ny," sho mounod.
"Now, let's do a little sum in arithmetic,"
Baid tho doctor. " What does M stand for? "
"Ono thousand," eaid staggered little Dot,
pushing the crochet-work way down in her
pocket.
" Very good," said the doctor. "Now, what
does C stand for? "
" Ouo hundred," said Dot, trying to be
brave.
"All together?" was he next question.
"Eleven hundred," said Dot, tearfully.
" H'm." coughed Dr. Cogswell. " Now, can
you think of anything else they might stand
for?"
" No, sir," said Dot.
" Why yes, you can, Dot," cried Donald, who
had just been wheeled into the room. "M. C. !"
clapping his hands. "Why, Merry Christina,
don't you see ? "
Dot smiled.
"Then there isn't any bill?" she asked Tom.
"Nary a bill," said Tom; "but can't you
think of anything else tho letters might stand
for?"
" No," said happy, stupid little Dot.
" I can," cried Don, catching sight of some
glances being exchanged, aud Margie's pretty
cheeks aglow. " Margie Cogswell ! "
Then they all laughultand the doctor caught
Dot up and set her on his shoulder, aud pranced
with her into the cozy sitting-room. Pretty
soon Don was wheeled into the sunny bay
window, and there they all sat tho rest of the
morning.
Dot had to submit to a good deal of teasing,
but she was vory happy notwithstanding, and
wroto in her diary that night, in such big let
ters that she went right over two or three of
the following days:
" The doctor irrcsn't coming to Me Donnie, f
ell, and there warn' I any bill. I mn going to he
bridesmaid and wear white. There ift'l y Utile
sister but vie, and fw agoing to have the little Nae
room, uhenever I want to go there to visit." St.
Nicholas.
TYLER PRISON.
A Brief but Interesting Sketch of the Anderson
villu or Tcxai.
Dr. Jno. C. Tressel, Co. B. Ninety-Sixth Ohio
vols., now a resident of Cleveland, O., who was
confined at Camp Ford, near Tyler, Texas, gives
tho following as his experience in that Southern
prison pen: "The prison was situated about
four miles 'north of Tyler, Texas, on a side hill
along tho main road leading to Tyler. Tho
prisoners were abundantly supplied with pure
spring water, which issued out of the aide hill
just outside of the stockade. As regards the
treatment wo received, there is no complaint to
mako against the rebel government in jmrticu
lar, but the officsrs and men in charge, with
tho exception of Col. Allen, wero tyrants, abus
ing and knocking down the prisoners on the
least provocation, and sometimes without any
at all. Tho greatest fear we had was during
night time, when somo ono of the guards would
shoot into camp, all the rest following suit,
killing men promiscuously, claiming as their
defonbo that an uttempt to break out was the
cau&e of their shooting. Men would be shot
down while walking near the dead-line. In
one instance a good unci pious man was shot
whilo sitting near tho dead-line and discussing
with a comrade tho merits of a sermon heard
that evening. When we asked for justice in this
caso we wero promised that the guard should be
court-martialed, and, if found guilty, punished.
The result of the court-martial was that tho
boy, for he was but 10 years old, was promoted
and made corporal for his brave act of shooting
a Yank. No doubt he wrote with many em
bellishments to his loving mother how he had
killed ono of tho hated Yanks, brave boy!;
and his defense was that tho Yankee swore at
him, while the facts of tho caso wero simply
this: the words 'God Almighty, and 'Jesus'
were frequently used in discussing tho sermon
heard thut night, aud ho used that excuse to
claim that they wero swearing at him. Tho
poor victim of rebel bravery (Southern chiv
alry!) lived in the greatest agony from 10
o'clock in tho evening until 3 next morBiig,
when death relieved his suffering. Wo made
three attempts to dig-out. Onco tho elements
themselves were against us, as a heavy rain
caved in our tunnel just aa it was completed.
The second timo about threo hundred escaped
tho first night, but the hounds wero set on
their tracks and fivo or six were brought back ;
tho rest wero either torn to pieces by tho dogs
or wero shot in their tracks by their pursuers.
The third attempt to dig-out wo wero betrayed,
and had to givo it up. Then we planned
auother method which wo carried on success
fully for about six weeks without discovery,
when again wo were betrayed by the same per
son, n mere boy, who, to get an extra bite to
cat, sorted tho rebels as a spy. The method
employed was for two men to lay in tho bottom
of a cart used to carry out tho refuse and filth
of tho camp and cover themselves with pieces
of blankets, when their comrades, whose turn
would come next, would cover them with dirt
and filth of tho camp, and then haul them
about a milo from camp, when the whole would
bo dumped. Tho driver, taking no notico of
the men, would go back for another load, they
remaining under tho .pile until dark, when
they would scatter, overy man for himself, to
try and reach our lines 200 miles distant at the
nearest point. Some few got through; tho
rest wero nover heard of again. Our faro con
sisted of a pint of corn meal a day per man,
and if the mill broko down, which often
happened, we wero issued a pint of shelled corn.
When meat was issued wo got 5 pounds to 10
men. No salt could bo got for any price. The
death rate was about 40 per day out of 7,000
prisoners."
Robert Bonner's ilorsss.
From the Xtvj York Times.
Robert Bonner's stable in Fifty-fifth street,
near Fifth avenue, is now full, several of his
great flyers having been brought down lately
froin his farm at Tarrytown. Among those in
tho stalls are tho following: Earus, record,
2:131, mile trial, 2:11$ on a three-quarter track.
Edwin Forrest, public exhibition at Hartford,
in 2:1'1J, milo trial, 2:112 on three-quarter
track, and 2:lo! to wugon, which is the fastest
time ever made, oither in public or private, to
wagon; Lucy Cuylcr, trial 2:172, to wagon,
and has repeatedly trotted quarters in 31 sec
onds to wagon; Pickard, record 2:18i to sulky
aud 2:254 to top wagon ; Dexter, record 2:17i,
and trotted in 2:21$ to road wagon at Prospect
Park ; Keen Jim, record 2:19, aud was second
to Hattie Woodward at Buffalo, when she made
her record of 2:15; Manetta, trial 2:16i to
sulky, and trotted two miles with running
mate in 4:271, tho fastest timo ovor made for
thai distance; John Taylor, record 2:25, and
has trotted a trial siuco then, 2:lSi.
Koutth on K.it3.
From the Westchester Pa.) Local9Ncic3.
Ralph Corbit, an ingenious twelve-year-old
boy of Honeybrook, Chestercouuty, bus devised
a novel plan of getting rid of the rata which
infest his father's cellar. He has constructed
out of old fruit jura a battery of throe Leydeu
jars, whbph he connects and places on a largo
iron plato which touches the tin foil on tho out
side. The bait is so arranged that when tho rat
steps upon the plato and seizes the bait he at
onco makes the connection between the outside
and tho inside of the jars and they are dis
charged through his body, killing him literally
us quick as lightning. He charge the jars by
means of au electrical machine, siso constructed
by himself. Ho run a couple of wires through
tho floor to tho cellar from the room above, aud
as soon us he would hear a rat squeak ho would
immediately recharge tho battery. The first
time ho put tho machine in operation he
slaughtered twenty-live rats in a sjwco of three
ho ura, and in two days the collar was entirely
cleared of tho pests.
"Worms llnineil From 'the Sky.
From the Huntington Herald.
There has been a shower of worms in this'
part of Indiana. Tim worms aro described as
being about a quarter'of an iueh in length, of
dark color and about tho size of a needle.
They wero' provided with a hard head, with
which they wero diligently burrowing a way
down through tho snow when dibcovered. The
abundance of the shower is remarkable. A
quarter of nnucro of ground was covered, and
in low places they wore lying to the depth of a
quartor of an inch. Tho fact that they did not
como from the ground is proven from tho fact
that the u umber was so great, and also that
many of them were floating on top of water
under which ieo was formed.
A "Woman Who Xover Was Tired.
From the Detroit Post and Tribune.
Arhela, Tuscola county, boasts of a woman
who has goue into the woods with her husband
und done her half of the sawing, splitting and
piling four cords of wood in a day, and can keep
it up for any length of time. Sho weighs 120
pounds and is 3d years old, of English descent,
and tho strangest of all is, she says sho never
saw a tired day in her life.
FOR SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
A Little SocittMag About What is Gtn- On In the
Kelfgfom WrW.
The Scriptures are published in 380 langnagcs
or dialects.
During the past fifteen yeara 300 churchc3
have been built in this country.
The corner-stone of the first new Lut'i :ia
churcU built in Lmpsie during the la.it c j
years was recently laid.
The Cornell Memorial of New York
thought to be the largest Sunday-school nL " o
Methodist church. It baa a total membersL j
ofl,44d.
A good 9tory is told of Mr. Talmago. WV.lo
away from home recently he felt ill and ei'Id
a strange physician. After a long examinui.oa
lie was advised "to exercise his lungs ! "
The Jin-riki-sha, the popular car so gonerally
used in Japan, over 40,000 being in ue ia
Twkio alone, giving employment to that num
ber of men and bringing in an annual revenue
of $75,000 from that single city, was invt n"l
by a missionary of tho American Baptist
Union.
Horace Fairbanks, president of the St. Johns
bury and Lake Champlain Railroad, Vermont,
says: "I believe the business interests of the
country, as well as the best interests of the m;i.
road corporations, would be subserved by j' :
pending the running of railroad trains on tho
Lord's day."
Oni of the pillars of a Wkconsin Ba?H
church has been tried on the charge of irreli
gious conduct in atteudinz a negro miliar'!
performance. He was let off with a reprimar'",
as ho started for a temperance lecture, got ito
the wroug hall, and hia carnal delight ovc-rcue
his moral scruples.
Voltaire, 120 years ago, said that "before tho
beginning of th. nineteenth century Chri ;
anity will have disappeared from the earth."
In ItidO, the date appointed for the extermina
tion of Christianity, there were 24,000,0u L'.--lish-6peaking
people, and of these 11,000,00
were Protestants, 5,500 000 Komauisti, and
4,500,000 professed no religious belief.
The corner-stone of a new building of the
University of New Mexico has been laid at Sartt
Fe, and is the first incorporated Christian col
lege in that Territory. The charter requires a
majority of its trustees to be members of ( ca
gregatioual churches, and by the deed of tru-t
the land and property of the university aro
secured absolutely to evangelical CkrL-tua
education. It already has sixty students.
The annual week of prayer will begin Janu
ary 7. The following schedule has been ar
ranged by the Evangelical Alliance, and Will
lie followed by many Protestant bodies : Sun
day, January 7, sermons ; Monday, January d,
praise and thanksgiving; Tuesday, January 9,
humiliation and confession; Wednesday, Jan
uary 10, prayer for families; Thursday, Janu
ary 11, prayer for the Church universal ; Fri
day, January 12, prayer for the nations; Sat
urday, January 13, prayer for missions; Sun
day, January 14, sermons.
In tho middle of his sermon on a repent Sun
day a pastor at Smyrna, Ga., uttered the phrase,
" Let us praise Him." A member of the con
gregation, innocently or otherwise, understood
him to say "Let us pray," and immediately
knelt for the final prayer. The movomnt w;3
naturally contagious, and in a moment all wero
on their knees. The clergyman had, a rare
chance to show tact by responding to the ex
pectation of his hearers, but he was not equal
to the crisis, and exclaimed instead: "I uil
not say ' Let us pray :'Iam not through yet
wo will pray uirectly."
Tho total number of church building in
Indiana 'is 4,462, and of church organization
4,921. Tho number of members admitted tdj
all denominations during the year was 43 HC91
Uio salaries paid to the pastors of these
ciiurches annually amounts to $l,24u,913, anc
the other expenses aggregate $295,9oo. Thoi
amount of money collected through the van-J
oua religious organizations and expended fori
benevolent or cnantablo purposes amounted
last year to $167,227. There aro 24,003 Sunday-
school teachers, and they have 257,673 pupils.
Tho average attendance on public religioan
services reaches 423.812. The value of ckurcr.
property i3 $10,525,553. The Methodist Epis
copal denomination leads with l,o47 crganiza--
uona and 116,949 members. The Christiani
follow, with the Baptists third, the United!
brethren fourth, and the Catholics fifth, withl
2S6 organizations, but the latter ranks second!
in number of members, having 66,872.
CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR.
Th Leadlnsr EtchIs of the War Arranged by
Weekfr AHuhersarioa.
1861.
Jan. 2d. Aot of accession pawed by MijtshttlppL
Jtm. Sd. Seizure of Forts Pulaski and Jackson,
Savannah, Ga. by State uuthoritiea.
Jan. 3d. .Seizure of Fort Macon, Fort WIlmInj;ton,
and U. S. Arsenal, at Fayetteville, N. (J., by
order of Governor Eilis.
Jan. 3d. Refusal of Legislature of Delaware to
receive secession commiseionera from Missis-
nip pi.
Jan. -1th. Seizure of U. S. Arsenal at Mobile, and
Fort Morgan, in Mobile Bay, Alabama.
Jan. ith. President Buchanan declined to treat.
with South Carolina conuuiseioijs fr the
peaceful ce&aion of U. S. property in the SUUoj
188S.
Jan. 1st. Engagement at Port Royal Ferry, S.
Jan. 3d. Skfrmwh at Huntersvillle. W.V.
Jan 3d and -1th. Skirmish at Bath. W. Va.
Jan. 4th. Skirmishes at Mlaue's Cross Roads, Greail
C'acapon Bridge, Sir John'd Run, and Alpine,
uepoi, w. va.
Jan. !Hh and 8th. Bombardment of Hancock. Md.
Jan. 7th. Skirmish at Hanging: Rock Poad, V . " a,
1S83.
Jan. 1st. Capture of three companies of tho Forty
Becond Mat4. under Colonel Burrill, by Gen
eral Magmder, Galveston, Texas.
Jan. 1st. New Year's day on the battle-field of
Stone River. Wearied by the dtoperate bat. a
of the previous day, tho opposing forces pre
pare to renew the tight.
Jan. 1st. flefeat of General Forrest at Hunt'a
CroB6 Roada by Generai Sullivan.
Jan. l.-t. Proclamation of i'rewident Lincoln, de
claring all slaved in the stated etill in rebellion
asrainat the United states free.
Jan. 1st. Defeat aud pursuit of General Morgan
by Colonel W. A. ilibkiua, south of Lebanon..
Kentueky.
Jan. 1st. Richard Yeadon. of Charleston. S. C,
oilers a reward of 810,000, confederate money,
for the capture of General B. F. Butler.
Jan. I'd. Third day of the battle of Stone River,
General Breekenndge defeated in a desperate
charge on the Union left.
Jan. 3d. Retreat of General Bragg from Mura
freeoro, which wat occupied on tfio 5th by
thu Union army, under command of Major
General Win. S. Koeeurans.
Jan. 6th. Proclamation of Jetferson Davis, In retal
iation for that of President Lincoln, stating
hid intention to deliver all U. S. officers there
after captured to be dealt vitu as criminals by
the State autboritien.
1S64.
Jan. 3d. Capture of the Two Hundred aud Eight
ieth lllimud volunteers, near Jonedvil'o,
Western Virginia, In tbe vicinity of Cumber
land Gap, by General Wm. IS. Jones.
Jan. Ith. Fight between Cole'd Union cavalry and
Mosby'd confederate cavalry near Harper's
Ferry, Va.
Jan. Mb. Action between a detachment of tha
Fifth U. S. infantry and ludiaus, near Pecos
River, New Mexico.
1SG5.
Jan. 1st. Publication in the Richmond, Virginia,
Sentmtl, in which the exhausted condition of
the confederacy id acknowledged, and propos
ing a surrender to England, b ranee, or bjiain,
provided Southern iudeperaluuco wad guaran
teed. Jan. 'M. Presentation of $5",000, by citizens of New
York, to Admiral Farragut, as a teotnuonial
of public gratitude.
Jan. 2d. Premutation of u handsome re-dderce,
completely furnisbe1, by citizens of Philadel
phia to (ieneral Grant.
Jan. 6th. Fraucia P. Blair visited Richmond,
Virginia.
A Newspaper Consolidation.
Arrangements havo been completed for tho
consolidation of the Commercial aud the Gaxette
newspapers, and the publication of a new daily
under the name of the Commercial-Gazette. The
new paper will be issued aa soon as certain me
chanical preparations can bo made. Both Mr.
Richard Smith, of tho Gazette, and Mr. Murat
llalstead, of the Commercial, will be In the
muiiifArnint. rf thft nw njiTinrv Thft nfl nfir wril ll
bo Republican m politics.
The Ag of Mlraelw
Is past, and Dr. Pierce's "Golden Medical Dis
covery" will not raise the dead, will not euro
you if your lungs aro almost wasted by con
sumption. It is, however, uusurpassed both as
a pectoral aud alterative, and will cure obsti
nate and severe diseases of the throat aud lungs,
coughs, and bronchial affections. By virtue of
its wonderful alterative properties it cleanses
and enriches the blood, cures pimples, blotches,
and eruptions, and causes even sraJ eating
ulcers to heal.
