Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/385

 HISTORY OF UOOIHIl'E COUNTY 319 content with the sentiment of apparent appreciation of services rendered to his patrons, of lives saved, of sufferings assuaged, and of health restored, he was too easily satisfied with the reflection that he had a very noble profession, but a very poor trade. Though poor in purse, he was rich in heart, in head, and in public esteem. He made at least a very measurable success of life, if success consists in being of some small use to the com- munity or country in which one lives; if it consists in having an intelligent, sympathetic outlook for human needs; if it is success to love one's work ; if it is success to have friends and be a friend, then the old doctor has made a success of life. He was a lonely worker, and relied largely on his own unaided observation for his knowledge. Isolated by the conditions of his life, he did not know the educating influences of society work. He was a busy man. with little leisure for the indulgence of lit- erary or other tastes. He possessed, however, what no books or laboratories can furnish, and that is : a capacity for work, willing- ness to be helpful, broad sympathies, honesty, and a great deal of common sense. His greatest fame was the fealty of a few friends; his recompense a final peace at life's twilight hour. He was a hardworking man, beloved and revered by all. He was discreet and silent, and held his counsel when he entered the sick-room. In every family he was indispensable, important, and oftentimes a dignified personage. He was the adviser of the family in mat- ters not always purely medical. As time passed, the circle of his friends enlarged, his brain expanded, and his heart steadily grew mellower. Could all the pleasant, touching, heroic incidents be told in connection with the old doctor, it would be a revelation to the young physician of today; but he can never know the admiration and love in which the old doctor was held. : 'How like an angel light was his coming in the stormy midnight to the lonely cabin miles away from the nearest neighbor. Earnest, cheery, confident, his presence lighted the burden, took away the responsibility, dispelled the gloom. The old doctor, with his two- wheeled gig and saddle bags, his setons, crude herbs, and vene- sections, resourceful, brave and true; busy, blunt, and honest, loyally doing his best — who was physician, surgeon, obstetrician, oculist, aurist, guide, philosopher and friend — is sleeping under the oaks on the prairies he loved so well." "We shall ne'er see his like again, Not a better man was found, By the Crier on his round. Through the town."