"Well, come in," replied the fortune-teller. There was a lady present, who also asked what those children came there for. The girls sat up in some chairs proffered. The younger one was so small that her little feet could not reach the floor, and sitting back in her chair, her little limbs stuck out straight, as such awkward little folks' will. The woman told them something, to seem to cover the money paid. It was not satisfactory, however, and the ten-year-old one put the following questions:-- "Do you think, ma'am, that the young man who is keeping company with me loves me?" This was a poser, and the woman laughed outright. "What did she reply?" I asked, shocked, though amused, by the ridiculousness of the whole affair. "O, Gad, if I know! I was too busy then to listen." The next question was more strange than the first:-- "Will the young gentleman marry me, eventually?" "Doubtless he will when you become older," was the reply; "and I advise you to think no more about it till you are much older." I obtained this item from the third party present, the husband of the fortune-teller. [Illustration] X. EMINENT PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. _Lord Say._ Why, Heaven ne'er made the universe a level. Some trees are loftier than the rest, some mountains O'erpeak their fellows, and some planets shine With brighter ray above the skyey route Than others. Nay, even at our feet, the rose Outscents the lily; and the humblest flower Is noble still o'er meaner plants. And thus Some men are nobler than the mass, and should, By nature's order, shine above their brethren. _Lord Clifford._ 'Tis true the noble should; but who is noble? Heaven, and not heraldry, makes noble men. THEIR ORIGIN, BOYHOOD, EARLY STRUGGLES, ETC.--DOCTORS ARE PUBLIC PROPERTY.--DR. MOTT, OF OYSTER BAY.--DR. PARKER.--A "PLOUGH-BOY."--THE FARMER'S BOY AND THE OLD DOCTOR.--SCENE IN BELLEVUE HOSPITAL.--"LEAVES FROM THE LIFE OF AN UNFLEDGED ÆSCULAPIAN."--FIRST PATIENT.--"NONPLUSSED!"--ALL RIGHT AT LAST.--PROFESSORS EBERLE AND DEWEES.--A HARD START.--"FOOTING IT."--ABERNETHY'S BOYHOOD.--"OLD SQUEERS."--SPARE THE BOY AND SPOIL THE ROD.--A DIGRESSION.--SKIRTING A BOG.--AN AGREEABLE TURN.--PROFESSOR HOLMES.--A HOMELESS STUDENT. It is amusing, as well as instructive, to compare notes on the various circumstances which have led different young men to adopt the science of medicine as their profession.