Page:The Death-Doctor.djvu/98



URING my first two years of practice in Okehampton I worked fairly hard, but only made about eight hundred pounds a year, which was not nearly enough, especially as my tastes and habits became increasingly extravagant.

I wanted good horses, good wine, good cigars, plenty of holidays, and a thousand and one other things and luxuries, which rapidly absorbed more money than I was making.

I cannot imagine any worse feeling than that of an empty pocket to a man who has been accustomed to a full one.

My wife and I had a large circle of acquaintances and kept almost open house to those who liked card-playing.

I was at this time the delight and the "much admired" of ladies, both young and old, for whom I invented ailments, to cure