Cora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's WifeLeslie, Madeline
General
Cora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's Wife
Leslie, Madeline
Physicians -- Fiction
The Doctor and myself called last evening upon Mr. Percival, whose gray
locks, and venerable aspect had already inspired us with respect. He
received us with the kindness of a father, and related many incidents
connected with his flock which were very pleasing. He has established
two schools, one for infant scholars, and another for those more
advanced. The infant scholars, however, are many of them near a dozen
years of age. He accompanied us part of the way on our return to visit
an English gentleman, who is very sick and has come here to die.
"Perhaps," said the old gentleman, "at some future time, I may
communicate some facts relative to his history. His life has been one of
no common interest."
We parted from our companion with regret, having obtained from him a
promise to return our call at his earliest convenience.
_Monday, December 23d._
This morning an incident occurred, which for want of other excitement,
has given us a fruitful subject for conversation. Having observed a
retired spot not far distant from the house where the invalid of whom I
spoke was stopping, we turned our steps toward it, and found it to be a
family burying place containing five graves, upon one of which was a
beautifully white marble monument, inscribed with the simple word
"Imogen." We stood a while to weave each for ourselves a history of this
loved one, whose grave was of the usual size of a fully grown woman.
Perhaps she was an only daughter, or a young wife, whose early departure
had cast a gloom over a large family.
Pauline and Nelly who started with us had lingered on the way, and came
in sight just as we turned to leave the place. Meeting our good friend,
Mr. Percival, we walked on slowly together, leaving them to visit the
simple grave. It was nearly an hour before they returned. The Doctor and
I were enjoying a delightful conversation with our aged friend, who had
accompanied us home, when Nelly came bounding into the room, saying, in
an excited tone, "oh, mamma!" But seeing we were not alone she checked
herself, and was introduced together with Pauline to our visitor. I
gazed at Pauline with wonder. Her whole countenance was lighted with
animation. Her eyes sparkled, and there was the richest bloom upon her
cheeks. I saw at a glance that something unusual had occurred, and said
inquiringly, "Well, my daughters, have you had a pleasant walk?"
"Very," they replied, and retired from the room.
Our visitor had no sooner taken his departure than they came running in,
eager to communicate their adventure.
"Oh, mamma!" exclaimed Nelly, throwing herself into a chair, "Pauline
has had such a scene."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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