Page:From the West to the West.djvu/109



That Captain Ranger should have thus imbibed the germ theory of cholera long in advance of its discovery by medical schools, is only another proof that there is nothing new under the sun. A newer system of medical treatment than that of the Allopathic School, styled the Eclectic by its founders, had come into vogue before his departure from the States.

Many different decoctions of fiery liquid, of which capsicum was supposed to be the base,—conspicuous among them a compound called "Number Six,'* — proved efficacious in effecting many cures in the early stages of cholera; and the contents of Captain Ranger's medicine chest were in steady demand long after his supplies. for general distribution had been exhausted.

"Can you imagine what this wild-goose chase of ours is for?" asked Mrs. Benson.

"I undertook it to gratify my good husband," was Mrs. Ranger's prompt reply.

"And I to gratify my daughter."

"Excuse me, ladies; but I came along to please myself," interposed Mrs. O'Dowd.

"I, too, came to please myself," cried Jean; "that is, I made a virtue of necessity, and compelled myself to be pleased. There are two things that mother says we must never fret about: one is what we can, and the other what we cannot, help. Every human being belongs primarily to himself or herself, and to satisfy one's self is sure to please somebody."

"But a married couple belong, secondarily, at least, to each other," said Mrs. Ranger. "No couple can pull in double and single harness at the same time."

"Some day," said Mrs. Benson, "it will become the fashion to read your journal, Jean; and then the dear public will both praise and pity our unsophisticated Captain, who led these hapless emigrants out on these plains to die."