A Home in the West: Or, Emigration and Its Consequences

CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XII Dr. Leonard’s studies were finished, the long coveted diploma received, and with all his new professional dignity, and arrived at the mature age of twenty-three, he was visiting again at his parents’ home. With all his knowledge of Western growth and improvement, he could scarcely believe his own senses on viewing the changes since he last left his father’s roof;—the neat white houses, and quiet, though thrifty air of the little town were very pleasing too, to the study wearied young man. And though he had come home only for a visit previous to selecting a situation for a permanent location in the practice of his profession, not many days had elapsed before he began to consider seriously the question of a settlement here, and to see in imagination the sign of “Hervey Leonard, M.D.” gracing a conspicuous situation on the main street of Hastings. And so it came to pass that considerations and fancies assumed more and more the shape of realities until Mr. Leonard, Sr., having been consulted and advised with, an office was actually being built, the sign aforesaid ordered, and after a long meditated trip eastward, and the purchase of the necessary library, Dr. Leonard would become the resident physician of Hastings. Hervey Leonard, being the first young gentleman formally introduced to our readers, deserves to be described in all the glowing terms romance allows in speaking of her heroes. Truth, however, compels us to allow that very many of those personal charms so admired by sentimental young ladies, were not granted to him by Nature, she probably not being aware that we should ever stand in need of him as a hero. So we shall be obliged to take him as he was, with hair of very common brown, instead of “black, curling locks,” and eyes of clear, kindly blue, in place of the “dark, proud speaking orbs” so necessary to the proper appearance of the hero aforesaid. Then his form was neither tall nor very graceful, but of medium height, and fully the usual amount of awkwardness and embarrassment so troublesome to young men who have spent more time in study than in society. We must own that his mother and sisters would not agree with all our 121 description, for in their eyes Hervey was handsome and his manners the most pleasing and agreeable— but partial mothers and sisters cannot be allowed to establish the criterion of manly beauty and attraction —were this permitted we fear many a graceful, splendid looking Adonis would have to resign his station, and many a plain, awkward but kind and attentive son and brother, would be promoted. We believe Hervey was content with the praises and love of his affectionate admirers at home, and thought little more about the matter. After a few weeks at home, the eastern journey to their former home was taken, and he, having made the acquaintance of Walter and Annie Judson, and become the favorite playfellow of Fred, and received the baby smiles and admiration of Dora, was commissioned to bear to the old Connecticut home many a message of love and remembrance; for a visit to the home of Annie’s parents would take him but thirty miles from his course, and she well knew the pleasure such a visit would confer. The sight of one known and prized by our friends is next to seeing themselves. So letters of introduction were written, and with many good wishes and bright hopes the journey was commenced. 122 It is very strange, but we must tell the truth, that that visit which in prospect was to last but three weeks, was lengthened into ten. And we must give Hervey credit for the most earnest desire to fulfill the wishes of Annie and deliver all her messages, when we find that three times during his stay in Hartford, he rode the entire distance to the residence of Mr. Hastings, spending three or four days with the family at each.—But doubtless those two last visits were caused by the remembrance of some neglected errand from the Judsons. It could not be that Mary Hastings, now a beautiful girl in her twentieth summer, had anything to do with them, or that the young physician’s heart was taken captive by her smiles and gentle performance of the home-duties. Yet it must be acknowledged...