Rising in the World CHAPTER 7.
Back to Rising in the World
"Father, I cannot! You may call it a weakness; I will even acknowledge that it is. But to let my sisters support me by hard labor, is more than I will permit. Let me go South. I will find some place where my services are needed. It will be better than to sit down idly here to wait for a practice that may be years in coming."
"Martha and Ella will do what they say, altogether independent of your movements, and I approve their determination. All of us should be usefully employed. They have the time and the ability, and are wise to give them both a right direction. But, independent of all that, here is a home for you. The burden of your presence, my son, will be far lighter than the burden of your absence. Do not go then. I shall be unhappy if you leave us so causelessly."
The reasoning of his father Lloyd had withstood, but could not resist an earnest appeal like this, made with a lip that trembled and a voice that had lost its uniform steadiness.
"Let it be as you wish," he said, in a low tone. "I trust that all will be right. If you feel the burden too heavily, you will say so. As quickly as I can, I will relieve you."
There were cheerful hearts in the dwelling of the watchmaker, when it was known that Lloyd had yielded, and was to remain.
An office was immediately secured, and Doctor Hudson put up his sign. He did not expect any practice at first, and, therefore, was not disturbed because he received none. Anatomy and surgery had attracted most of his attention while a student, and to the perfecting of skill in these, he gave the principal portion of his time and attention now. He attended all the hospital operations of consequence, and assisted the surgeons in the performance of their difficult and often dangerous tasks. His devotion to this branch of his profession, amounting almost to enthusiasm, did not escape the notice of those with whom he was thereby brought into contact. He was often alluded to by surgeons of high standing, when he deemed himself scarcely noticed by them.
One day the professor of anatomy in the school from which he had received his diploma, called upon him. It was nearly a year after he had opened his office, and at a time when he was beginning to feel discouraged about a practice. The professor soon made known his business.
"Doctor," he said, "our instructor of anatomy is not half so capable as you are, nor is he a great favorite. I would prefer you a hundred times, and so, I believe, would every student in the school. Now it so happens that he has been called away for a couple of weeks, and someone must be had in his place during his absence. I wish you to fill it. This will give you a chance to exhibit your superior skill, and so far make in your favor, that it will be an easy matter to have him displaced and you appointed in his stead, some few months hence."
"Excuse me, doctor," replied Hudson, "but I cannot meet your wishes under that view of the case. Dr. Somner is a good anatomist and demonstrates quite well. I would not, for the world, have him displaced to make room for me. If I rise — it must not be at the expense of another's downfall."
The professor looked astonished, for a moment or two, at this unexpected reply. He then said:
"I believe you are right, doctor. Forgive me for having made a proposition so repugnant to the honorable principles you hold. I see that I erred. My anxiety to have the very best talent in every department of our school, has led me to think of means not altogether as fair as they should be. Still, there must be someone to teach the class while Doctor Somner is away, and I know of none so capable of doing it as yourself. I must, therefore, beg of you to reconsider your prompt decision of the matter, and consent to serve the class for a couple of weeks."
"Indeed, Doctor," returned Hudson, "I cannot change the resolution I have declared. It would not be right for me to do so. I could not feel in any degree of freedom. Why did not Doctor Somner name someone to take his place?"
"So he did."
"Ah! Who?"
"Doctor Davidson. Just think of it! Why, I doubt if he remembers enough of his anatomy to tell the difference between a sinus and a foramen."
"You underrate him, doctor," said Hudson. "Davidson will give a very fair demonstration."
"And you, one a thousand times better."
"I doubt that. But, waiving this question, doctor, it is impossible for me, under the circumstances, to meet your wishes. The fact that Doctor Somner has named Dr. Davidson, settles the matter definitively. If, in any other way, I can serve the school, it will give me pleasure to do it."
"While I cannot but regret your decision, think as I will about it," returned the professor, "I must do you the justice to say, that I am constrained to honor your principles. Few men would have resisted the temptation. It would be better for the world, perhaps, if there were more like you."
When Hudson mentioned at home what had occurred, there was not one who did not express a warm approval of his conduct.
"It is only what I expected of you, Lloyd," said the father. "Be ever true to right principles, and you will be true to yourself. You need not be concerned about the outcome."
Two weeks from the day, Doctor Hudson received a visit from the professor of anatomy — that individual called upon him again.
"You are probably aware," he said, "that the father of Doctor Somner, a physician of large practice in Boston, is dead. It was his illness that made the absence of Somner necessary."
"Yes, I have heard it," returned Hudson.
"You may not have heard, however, that Somner is to remain in Boston, and take up his father's practice?"
"That intelligence has not before reached me."
"It is true, nevertheless. I received a letter from Somner to that effect yesterday. This morning, at a meeting of the Faculty, I made known his decision, and brought forward your talents and anatomical skill as fitting you in a peculiar manner to take his place. You were appointed without a question, and by a unanimous vote. Let me congratulate you on the occasion, as I have already congratulated the school. An honor has been worthily conferred. You can now accept the chair, and feel yourself fairly entitled to it."
"For your kindness — I feel truly gratified," replied Hudson, showing more emotion than he wished to exhibit. "I accept the appointment, and will endeavor to discharge the duties appertaining to it to the best of my ability."
"Which will leave us no cause of complaint."
"When am I expected to take charge of the responsibility?"
"Immediately. Doctor Davidson has already been informed of your appointment, and will give place to you after today."
"Very well. I will be at my post in due season."
Nothing could have happened more accordant to the young man's wishes than this. Besides giving his abilities full scope, it secured him an ample income, considering his habits of strict economy, as there were nearly a hundred and fifty students in the class, and the instructor's fee was forty shillings.
The first thing he did, after communicating his good fortune at home, was to insist that Martha and Ella should give up their scholars. To this, however, they promptly objected, as they had a large number of pupils, and were receiving more than five hundred dollars each per annum. The marriage of Martha to a worthy young man, a few months afterwards, settled the matter, however, as she was concerned; but Ella continued her useful and profitable employment.
Back to Rising in the World