"I am much obliged to you," he said, hurriedly. "I will trouble you no
further. I will send for the bill in the morning. Good evening, sir."
I wanted the man (_brute!_) to love the poor little orphan, his
grandchild, and that night I prepared a letter--instead of a bill--which I
hoped would benefit him, without aggravating his feelings towards her. I
said that I deemed such a privilege a sacred one, not to be soiled by a
pecuniary return. I said other things to him, in the note, which I need
not repeat. Near spring, in a kind, almost affectionate letter, he
announced to me the death of his grandchild. She had fulfilled her
mission. She had greatly subdued his nature by her lovely character....
I learned that the remains of Dr. ---- were afterwards interred by the
side of his wife and child, and I received but lately the assurance that
the wretched father, before his death, admitted that money was not the
chief good.
Thus perished a noble physician, a devoted wife, and their lovely
offspring, because of the selfish ingratitude of one to whom they were and
still might have been an inestimable blessing.