Tin-types taken in the streets of New York : $b a series of stories and sketches portraying many singular phases of metropolitan lifeQuigg, Lemuel Ely
General
Tin-types taken in the streets of New York : $b a series of stories and sketches portraying many singular phases of metropolitan life
Quigg, Lemuel Ely
New York (N.Y.) -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
Bob's story about Miss Beeks and her novel views had profoundly
impressed Mr. Cinch, and being so constituted that when he got hold of
an idea he had to give himself up to its consideration, Miss Beeks and
the possible effect of her conversation upon his legs kept revolving
before his eyes all the morning. He was not able to form any very
definite idea of what she might be expected to do, but he thought it
quite within the possibilities for her to improve the situation. The
notion that in ailments of all kinds there was a large element of
imagination had occurred to him frequently when listening to Mrs.
Cinch's accounts of her numerous physical tribulations, and he was by no
means sure that his legs were as bad as they had been represented. He
thought it might well be that he had obtained an exaggerated notion of
their deformity, and if Miss Beeks merely succeeded in convincing him of
that the gain would be something. He picked up the address-book during
the morning and ascertained that she lived in a large apartment-house in
Broadway, distant from his stables less than a block. While Bob was at
luncheon he got upon his feet, went to the door and looked down the
street at the big flat. An irresistible desire to go and talk the matter
over with Miss Beeks took possession of him, and almost before he knew
it he was seated in a little reception-room waiting for the appearance
of the remarkable young woman who professed to be able to talk away a
boil.
She did not keep him waiting long, and when she held out her hand and
wished him "Good-morning," he was quite captivated with her cheery voice
and smile.
Mr. Cinch proceeded directly to business. First he took from his
pocket-book one of his large and profusely illustrated business cards
and delivered it with something of pride by way of introduction. Then he
remarked that he had heard of her and of her way of doctoring and he
thought he'd just drop around and see what she could do in his case.
"Why, what ails you?" she asked. "You look very comfortable."
"So I be," replied Mr. Cinch, much gratified, "but it's all along of my
legs."
"And what of them?"
"Well you see, they're bowed, and--"
"Don't say what I see, Mr. Cinch. We see with our minds and only through
our eyes. My mind is healthy, and as I see your legs there's nothing the
matter with them."
"You don't say so!"
"To be sure I do. At the same time if you say your legs are bowed, there
is, of course, trouble somewhere."
"Of course," assented Mr. Cinch.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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