Ruth Irving, M.D.

Preface

The manuscript is completed ; to-morrow it goes to the publishers — from them to the world. Friends may speak in its praise or in blame, but I shall miss one voice : it was silenced in a Western grave. So I send out this little story in memory of the noble brother who taught my hand to write for God and truth.

The Author.

w

RUTH IRVING, M. D.

Chapter I. Western Life

“ The noblest in the old-time fight Matched not the humblest here that falls,

And never were there won such scars As these, won in these nobler wars —

These bloodless wars that bring not pain,

These priceless victories of Peace,

Where Pride is slain and Self is slain,

Where Patience has her victories.”

A PRAIRIE-PICTURE is one of grand perspective. There are broad stretches of level, swelling mounds, dimpled nests of dainty grasses. Oh the wonderful growth of the grasses in whose protecting shadows birds find safe and pleasant homes ! Storm-worn bluffs guard lazy rivers fringed with wild plum trees or low-bending willows. Over all bends a sky of clearest, purest blue,

RUTH IRVING , M. D.

and the red men on their swift ponies rush across the plains in pursuit of the abundant game of this the land of their fathers. All this was in history’s yesterday, for the relentless hand of Anglo-Saxon energy has laid hold on this goodly land, and, crushing all who stand in the way, will subdue it. The old tragedy of conquest is being repeated; again in the graves of a failing race will be laid the foundations of another race’s glory.

In this land of bustle and change there are growing up a manhood and a womanhood which are unknown in any other part of the world. Here the word “ neighbor” comes very near to bearing its Christian meaning ; here the Easterner, the Southerner, the English, the Danish, the Swedish, the Irish, the German, the French, the Italian, and every other race under the sun, must coalesce and form a new race simply and broadly American. The red man, the black man and the little yellow man from over the Pacific will have much to say as to the smoothness with which those forces unite.

Where the free, wild prairies and the time-worn bluffs shone in the Nebraska sunlight, stands to-day the rushing, busy city of Omaha, the future queen of the West. In Western life the survival of the

WESTERN LIFE.

fittest means the survival of the strongest in bone and muscle, brain and nerve, “sand and cheek.” The last qualities are characteristic of American success. The failures are hid as surely in the surge of Western life as though they had been sunk in the Missouri. Life here is a medley in which is found every relation, condition, mood and tense of men and things.

A second-story front room on North Sixteenth street was a medley, and a pleasing one withal. It was large and well favored with windows, where on pleasant days the brilliant Nebraska sunlight came in floods. Sunlight will of itself almost furnish a room. This one owed none of its cheeriness to sunlight, however, for the windows revealed only an unusually active blizzard.

Still, the room was cheery. The carpet, of soft golden browns, and the easy-chairs seemed made and purchased for use. A shaded lamp stood in the centre of the table; books and papers were lying all about. Indeed, there were books in almost every possible place. On the walls hung a diploma and two ink-portraits — one of noble, loyal manhood, the other of a tender womanly face. The dainty work-basket and the evident effort to make a little

RUTH IRVING, M. D.

go a great way told that a home-loving woman had to do with the room. The half-opened curtains of a doorway revealed the holy of holies of the place ; a white bed and a tasteful dressing-bureau, on which were a lady’s collar and a case of surgical instruments in close companionship, told the story of a professional woman’s home.

A young girl sat in an easy-chair before a large coal-heating stove. She was below the medium height, slightly but strongly framed. She had an earnest face from which looked out a pair of eyes of that peculiar shade of brown which indicates courage and firmness of character. Her toilet, though neat, had every appearance of having been made in a hurry. Her manner was that of one who, weary and resting, is still ready for instant action.

The early winter twilight, helped by the blincjipg snow, shut swiftly down. The girl rosa and walked to the window ; she stood for a moment looking out on the gathering night. How the snow flew and blew ! It seemed as though it had taken out a contract to travel by the league and was in a hurry to be done with it. People slid, rushed and were blown about as only Western people ever are rushed and

WESTERN LIFE.

blown. Weary of watching, the girl gave the stove a vigorous shaking down and then lighted the lamp. The bright glow increased the cheeriness of the room and made radiant such a face as one would wish to go home to’ after a stormy day. It is a pleasure to see such a face across the breakfast-table even if one has seen it there every morning for ten years. She lighted the lamp and talked to herself meanwhile — a thing she was not in the habit of doing. She — Ruth Irving — talked in this fashion :

“ I wish the Doctor would come ! The slate says, 1 Be back at four-thirty f it must be nearly five now. Yes ; there is the Union Pacific whistle, and — here is the Doctor too,” she added, joyfully, as she ran to the door and half smothered the figure there with the warmth of her greeting J ^

“ Home again, Doctor !” ; she cried • “ Ik now you are glad to see me. Arc you almost frozen ? Let me unfasten your cloak. I have been waiting here two long hours, and they have seemed longer than all the time I have been away.”

“ I am very glad to see you, Ruthie,” saj$Tthe Doctor as Ruth’s nimble fingers unfastened the cloak.

RUTH IRVING, M. D.

a thorough shaking, sending little particles of snow in every direction.

The Doctor placed her medicine-case on the table and seated herself to warm her feet, while Ruth hung the hat and cloak on the hooks behind the door and then bustled around to find warm slippers, all the while plying the Doctor with questions both grave and gay. At last the Doctor — otherwise known as “ Miss Helen A. Ross, M. D.” — had a chance to speak.

“ How have you been, Ruth ?” she asked. “Are you not worn out ? I was absent when you were called away, but your note said you nursed for Dr. Smith. Has your patient recovered?”

“ Of course my patient recovered ! She took dinner with the family to-day. Case was pneumonia; nervous too. She wanted me to earn my money. She slept well, however; so I am quite rested. How has the suffering world treated you ?” Ruth asked, as she noticed that Dr. Ross looked pale and worn.

“ I have no cause for complaint,” said the Doctor. “ I have done much street-car riding ; I have taken many long walks for the good of the humans and my purse; I have had some sleepless nights,

WESTERN LIFE.

and I believe sleepless nights are symptoms of success in my profession ; I have met very pleasant people in my new calls. Rutkie, what about supper?”

“ I suppose we shall go to the boarding-house,” Ruth replied as she thoughtfully surveyed the under side of her dress-sleeve.

“I suppose we will not,” said the Doctor, decidedly ; “ we pay twenty-five cents for every meal we eat in that house. Now, I have crackers, butter, pepper and salt ; half a pint of oysters will be just about one dime. We will have an oyster-stew in our room to-night.”

“Been taking a course in domestic economy?” asked Ruth, with a quick, gay laugh. Those quick, bright laughs were some of “ her ways,” and ways which were very dear to her friends.

“ I want a horse and buggy ;” and the Doctor joined in the laughter.

“ I never cry for the moon ;” and Ruth’s face suddenly became very sober.

“ I do,” laughed the Doctor. “ I have cried for every one of the heavenly bodies, separately and collectively, save and excepting the sun. Now I want the Big Dipper. What a help that bright star-

RUTH IRVIN 0 , M. D.

spangled Big Dipper of my ambition — otherwise a horse and buggy — would be to me !”

“I am a self-appointed committee on oysters,” cried Ruth ; and she quickly began to put on her cloak. Then, with “ Fortune favors the brave ” by way of farewell, she started on her errand.

The young girl ran lightly along the snow-blown streets. The wind tugged at every fold of her clothing, but she did not mind it. Hers had not been a sheltered life ; she was used to activity and to struggles that were more disheartening than was a Nebraska blizzard.

Chapter II. Her Father’s Sign

“ One of the workers of the world Living toiled, and toiling died ;

But others worked, and the work went on And was not changed when he was gone.

A strong arm stricken, a wide sail furled,

And only a few men sighed.”

TTELEN ROSS had been blessed with a healthy, “ L-L happy childhood. Her father had been a hard-working doctor in Illinois; he had been a man who seemed to have some talent for everything besides making and keeping money. His practice had been large, but he had not been a good collector: it went much against his kindly nature to dun a poor patient. It seemed that all the poor people in that town employed him. He had been a firm friend; troubled souls looked to him for help, and always found it. His tastes in general and professional reading, good pictures, and

the like, were far beyond his means. Helen’s 2 17

RUTH IRVING, M. D.

mother had been a gentle home-woman who worked those kitchen and sewing-room miracles whereby a family is made to live in comfort on a small amount of money and the products of a good garden.

So things had gone on until Helen was a merry schoolgirl of sixteen, and the Rosses had never known that they were poor people. Everything considered, they were a very happy family. That summer a fever broke out in Rock Island. Dr. Ross worked faithfully to bring health to other homes, and, as if in revenge, the dreadful disease claimed him for its last victim. It made swift work of burning out the life of the man who had been everybody’s friend. Every one was very sorry for the widow and the fatherless. After the manner of the times, every one went to the funeral.

“ What was he worth ?” people asked as they went home. He was worth so much that many of the world’s “ successful men ” will want to change seats with him at the judgment-day.

“After the funeral ” ! There is a world of sadness in those words. You who know the dreariness of them remember how the extra chairs had been taken away before you returned from the grave.

HER FATHER'S SIGN.

Kind friends had tried to make things look just as they had looked before death entered the home. The friends had put one chair partly out of sight, but you could see it all the more plainly. Then the neighbors all went away and left you alone with your sorrow. The world went on just as it had gone last week, but to you it would for ever be different. So it was that the Rosses were left alone. Night settled swiftly down over Rock Island, the river slipped by, and two women looked calmly into the future. Then came the question which always intrudes itself at such times : “ What shall we do next?”

Helen went into her father’s office. She looked over rows of medical books, she laid her soft fingers on bright horrid-looking instruments for which she knew no name ; then she went back to her mother, and, standing in the firelight, said slowly,

“ Mamma, I have decided it : I shall be a doctor, just as I always planned to be. Papa was willing ; only he thought it would be a hard life for me. Whatever else we sell, we must keep papa’s books.”

The mother answered encouragingly. Together they looked into the ‘ftiture and dreamed of the time when Helen might write her name as her

RUTH IRVING, M. D.

father had done. Nor was this decision hasty. From her babyhood Helen had taken a deep interest in her father’s work and talked of the time when she herself should be a doctor. Many were the dolls, kittens, toads and insects she had subjected to vigorous treatment for diseases which no one but herself understood. As they had ridden over the bright Illinois prairie, father and daughter had talked of studying medicine, and the father — wiser than he knew — had given the daughter many helpful hints.

It was not time then for Helen to begin her professional studies — other branches must be taken up first — and mother and daughter set bravely to work. Though frail in body, Mrs. Ross had been her husband’s companion and confidante. Her rare intelligence enabled her to keep a general idea of her husband’s work, though she never dreamed of a profession for herself. It was a hard life, but they worked patiently and bravely, sewing, teaching, doing fancy-work — anything by which they could earn money. Plain clothes, worn boots and ofttimes no best dress at all comprised their wearingapparel. They ate cheap food.

At the age of twenty-four Helen was graduated

HER FATHER'S SIGN.

from the medical college. She had earned the right to the dear old sign — her father’s name and hers :

H. A. ROSS, M. D.

They moved to Omaha, rented two rooms and put up the father’s sign. Patients came slowly. All young doctors find it so. People will employ experienced physicians, and experience does not come safely sealed in dollar bottles.

Mrs. Ross and her daughter were hopeful from force of habit, and the future was very bright. At the end of the first year both ends met, but no amount of saving could make them lap one dollar’s worth. And who shall say how many times these people had dined off mush and milk?

Dr. Ross became known. An enthusiast in her profession, she carried hope and courage into sick-rooms. Life grew full and bright. Success grew certain. Then Mrs. Ross suffered from an old heart-trouble. Her daughter worked with the zeal of desperation ; she called in the best counsel the city afforded, but it was of no use. In a few hours

RUTH IRVING, M. 1).

the young doctor learned the weakness of human skill, for she was motherless.

The profession which while the mother lived had seemed so bright and dear took color from the artist who paints only in gray shadows. Science is a hard thing when it is all one has to live for. But Helen Boss had lived and gone about her work bravely and well. For a year after her mother died she was alone ; then she met Buth Irving. The girl’s bright ways were a comfort to the saddened woman who longed for sunshine and cheery laughter. The two women planned to live together. Buth moved her few worldly goods to the pleasant rooms on Sixteenth street, and Helen Boss welcomed her home after each new case as she did that stormy night.

Buth regarded the Doctor as experienced and almost middle-aged ; the Doctor knew Buth was womanly beyond her years. Dr. Boss knew that Buth’s foster-parents had died three years before, and that in nursing Mrs. Irving the girl had shown wonderful skill. Her deft ways did not escape the sharp eyes of the attending physician. When the mother no longer needed her care, Buth found work in other homes ; now she had become favorably known as a nurse.

Chapter III. Premonitory Symptoms

“ Strength for to-day that the weary hearts In the battle of life may fail not,

And the eyes bedimmed with bitter tears In their search for light may fail not.”

S O, with mind intent on buying oysters, Ruth was blown along the street toward the nearest grocery.

A Western grocery is a school of modern languages taught by natural methods. Busy clerks do up butter and baking-powder in half a dozen tongues, for every food-emporium is supposed to keep that number on hand and ready for instant use. On Saturday a small Babel is let loose, for all speak with different tongues, while you make frantic efforts to remember your own native language. Ruth aired her newly-acquired Swedish in asking for the oysters ; for if we must teach our language to millions of foreigners every year, why

should not they, in turn, teach us their jargon?

RUTII IRVING, M. I).

The little winged wretch who has made trouble for young people ever since the wedding in Eden was abroad that night. To his other sins be it added that he caused Roy Ford to look in at the window as he passed the grocery. Had Dr. Ross and Ruth Irving taken supper at the boarding-house, this same Roy Ford would have been seated near them; he would have seen that they lacked no good thing, and Ruth would have been very happy. Dr. Ross would have looked on and been troubled as she discovered the premonitory symptoms of a disease which no medical man or woman can fully diagnose.

Dr. Ross did not like Roy Ford ; she knew he was of the genus Fast — at least, he was as much so as his salary and credit would allow. She knew he would be of no lasting good to Ruth Irving ; but when he chose he could be very agreeable and fascinating. Dr. Ross was a wise woman. She breathed no word of all this knowledge to Ruth lest in a fit of girlish resentment she should rise from mere liking into love. Yes, rise into love ; for, whatever the object of the love, pure, true human love is an elevation to the soul which is exercised thereby. The wily Doctor treated the young man

PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS.

cordially and prayed that he might go West, being herself a good Providence to Ruth in that she saw him as little as possible. Still, Ruth admired Roy Ford — why, no scientific man can explain.

Instead of the chat at the supper-table, Mr. Ford walked home through the storm with Ruth.

“ ‘ It vas von pig plizzard/ saith Yon Yonson,” Ruth remarked as she brought in the oysters and a gust of cold air. She said no word of Roy Ford. Why?

Dr. Ross, left alone, had not been idle. The books and papers were gone from the table, and snow-white napkins covered the bright cloth; the dishes were arranged for the little supper. Something was bubbling in the small tin kettle on the back of the Garland stove. Dr. Ross deftly slipped the oysters into the kettle, and Ruth sat watching her as she dipped the steaming soup into plates. It was a pleasure to watch the Doctor ; there is always a sort of fascination in the movements of trained human hands.

“ I hope people will kindly remain healthy to-night,” said Ruth as they took their places at the table. “ This is the worst storm of the season, and I do not wish to be called out in it.”

RUTH IRVING, M. D.

“It is also the first storm of the season,” said Dr. Ross, with a smile.

“ I know,” Ruth replied ; “ but this one is so severe that it seems as though we were in the middle of winter instead of being scarcely in December. Now, Doctor, I find that we each have saved fifteen cents by this oyster-stew. Query : How long will it take you to save your horse and buggy and me to save my way through college?”

“ I hope to have my horse in the spring,” returned the Doctor; “I did not know that you thought of a college education. I was eight years in earning my medical education.”

“Sometimes I think of it, and sometimes I don’t.” Ruth laughed, and then she changed the subject : “ When I first knew you, I used to try to fancy you about household tasks, but the picture never would be perfect until I really saw you perform them.”

“ Why not ?” Dr. Ross inquired, looking up.

“Because. A woman’s reason. I suppose it was because of the two letters which you write after your name.”

“ I never expected to hear such a speech as that from you, Ruth Irving. Why, you are almost a

PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS.

professional woman yourself. Does my profession make me any the less womanly ?”

Two bright spots glowed on the Doctor’s cheeks. This was a sore subject. Her gentle mother had been her ideal woman, and she dreaded lest her own contact with the world should make her grow away from that type of womanhood.

“ No, indeed !” laughed Ruth. “ You are safely anchored to this truth : 1 To be womanly is the greatest charm of woman.’ But about the profession. It is this way : I want something more than I have. I feel so alone ! I seem so cut loose from my work when I get home from each case ! I am not a trained nurse; like many others, I have taken up this work because I have a knack for it, and because I can earn more by it than by any other work which I can do. I am very young; difficult cases want a more experienced nurse. I was idle some time before this last case, and I have a presentiment that this will be a fearfully healthy winter.”

“ Ruth, your vocation may be speechmaking,” said the Doctor, laughing. “ Besides, presentiments do not count in this matter-of-fact age ; realities are what we deal with. Let me help you to more of

RUTH IRVING , M. D.

this soup ; it is very good. But, Ruthie, I thought that you never borrowed trouble?”

“Why, Doctor, I don’t — that is, I don’t very often,” said Ruth. “ But, some way, I am very much stirred up to-day. I have been in an atmosphere of interrogation-points for three weeks ; I feel that my little island of life is in danger of sinking from sight.”

“ That is not a good comparison,” said the Doctor; “life should be compared to a stream. I think it more than likely that yours will be merged into that of another.”

Ruth’s face flushed as she thought of the words out in the storm. She wondered why she had not spoken of Mr. Ford, but she had not, and surely she did not wish to begin at that moment. So she answered :

“ I suppose your simile was intended to represent matrimony. Let us lay aside poetry and romance while we resort to figures. The London Tmth is responsible for this statement.” She drew from her pocket a scrap of newspaper. There are nine hundred and forty-eight thousand more women than men in Great Britain.’ ”

“American census-takers are too polite to tell us

PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS.

that we are supernumerary here,” was the Doctor’s comment. “ Ruth, what do you argue from those figures ?”

“I only read it as a comment on the c woman question 9 and the relation it bears to our work. I suppose that editor would count us among the surplus women.”

“ I suppose he would,” said the Doctor, quietly. “ What is it now ?” she asked ; for Ruth laughed gayly.

“ You should see the second-girl with whom I have had to do since I have been gone. What are we going to do with all the foreigners that are pouring in upon us ?”

“I don’t know, Ruthie,” the Doctor answered, slowly; "it is a serious question. Few Americans realize the state of things. Every ism — almost every religion — is represented right here in Omaha. Dr. Austin Phelps says, ‘ Five hundred years of time in the process of the world’s salvation may depend on the next twenty years of United States history.’ ”

“ Say five hundred years of time in the world’s civilization, and I shall be satisfied,” Ruth responded, quickly.

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“ What about the second-girl ?” asked the Doctor.

“ Oh, Doctor, her ideas were so funny !” and Ruth laughed again. “ I asked her what dainty she would like for Thanksgiving, and she said, ‘Some beer and some bologna-sausage.’ What would the stern old Pilgrims have said to such a Thanksgiving ? But that is the ‘ German vote/ as the politicians say. She told me that she was soon to marry a young German ; the next generation will be just like them, only they will be native-born Americans. What is going to be done about it ? The cook was a Swede ; the coachman, a negro. Yesterday they all quarreled. I went to the kitchen to see what the trouble was about, and the cook cried, ‘ Germany, Sweden and Africa are fighting ; America come make peace.’ That is just it: we must make peace or be torn in pieces.”

“ There are several things which might be done,” said the Doctor, thoughtfully. “ I should prescribe the best reconciling power that I know of — the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“ But, Doctor my dear, you know I do not believe in that gospel,” Ruth objected.

Dr. Ross lived her religion every day of her life,

PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS.

but she never argued it. She looked thoughtful for a moment, and then changed the subject :

44 Ruth, I am tired of being 4 Doctored ’ all the time ; can’t you manage to say 4 Helen ’ ?”

44 I don’t know, Doctor. • There it is again ! I am not used to it. There are so few whom I have a right to call by their Christian names.”

44 I give you the right to call me 4 Helen,’ and I shall feel hurt if you do not do so.”

The signs of the little supper had been obliterated ; the room was in its pretty sitting-room order, and these two of the world’s workers sat and rested. It was well-earned rest. They held a long conference on subjects which are dear to women, but which no man can comprehend. Every minute was doubly enjoyed because both knew it was only of free grace that the doorbell did not ring. Both had learned the secret of resting between the heart-beats, and so made the most of every minute.

Ruth, who had gone so hardily on her way that night and been brought back with such tender care, felt safe and rested in her heart’s core. Oh, sheltered womanhood, to whom love and tender care are as common as the air you breathe, remember Ruth

RUTH IRVING , ilf. D.

Irving spent her life in waiting on and watching over others. Her eyes must be quick to see danger, her hands quick to shield some one else’s darling. The moments when she was watched and cared for were few and far between. She was just nineteen, and her heart felt a woman’s need of love. No wonder there was a tender light in her eyes and the world seemed very fair to her even in the teeth of a Nebraska blizzard. But why did she not say, “ I met Mr. Ford on the street to-night, and he walked home with me ? She had said nothing of him when she first returned, and every moment made it harder to begin. There was what was termed “an understanding” between those two young people — most certainly, Ruth had ample cause for such an understanding — but there was no engagement to be announced. Such a state of things is very hard to explain to an unsympathetic listener.

Dr. Ross was no anomaly that she should take no interest in a love-affair ; moreover, this fair girl was very dear to her. The Doctor would have blessed Ruth and given her to one worthy of her, and thanked the Lord that there were two strong arms between this girl and the wicked world ; but

PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS.

Roy Ford was not the man to share these blessings. He never would be unless he reformed and led a very different life.

So Ruth went on peering into the future; she tried to settle those questions of life and fate which are for ever unsettled. All the while the quiet woman before her wondered at this mood, so new to Ruth Irving.

Chapter IV. The Spirit Of Beauty And The Christian’s

GOD.

" They who keep their best affections young Best love the beautiful.”

HEN it’s good, it’s very, very good ; and

" T when it’s bad, it’s horrid.” That is the way with Nebraska weather. I have introduced you to a blizzard, but you must not think that it will last all winter. No ; the storm will stay three days, and then will go away. Over the wide prairies will be spread the fairest winter sky in all the world. The plains will be bathed in a brilliant sunshine, while every breath of air will be like an inspiration.