e
yet with no peculiar ostentation, he felt it would all be right. The
nurse, at first, was in very bad humor; but nobody noticed her, so she
concluded it was best to be good-natured and obey orders. The next day,
the doctor pronounced little Sarah out of danger, provided she was
properly nursed, and after leaving special directions, which he charged
Joel to see to personally till he could hear from him, he returned home
as rapidly as he came. When the man who accompanied him came back, he
brought the doctor's favorite student, who had directions to devote
himself to the 'case,' in which the doctor took so strong an interest.
The good man had another motive. He believed the fever was about to
attack Joel, and he determined to exert his skill to save him, if
possible. To have advised him of his fears, would have been injudicious.
He therefore dispatched a young man in whom he had great confidence,
after giving him minute instructions. Little Sarah, watched and tended
with great care, grew rapidly better. But when the excitement produced
by the scenes through which Joel had passed was at an end, a great
reaction took place, which left him in a very weak state. In that
condition, he was seized by the terrible malady, which found a fit
subject in his weakened frame and broken spirits. For weeks Joel Burns
lay balancing between life and death. It seemed as if a feather's weight
on either side would turn the scale. Morning after morning, the question
was put by the whole village: 'Is Mr. Burns alive?' Twice, on occasions
which seemed specially urgent, did our worthy doctor come from
New-Haven, spend a few hours, and return. The medical student kept his
post manfully. It was something to go counter to the opinions and
judgments of all the physicians about, far and near. Especially when, if
the patient should die, the voice of authority would proclaim that a
murder had been committed. [Now, it would be considered murder to follow
the old method.] But the doctor was firm, his pupil an enthusiastic
believer in his master's genius, and the course was persisted in. At
length, the daily reports were modified. First, Mr. Burns was 'no
worse.' After that, he was 'a little more comfortable.' Then came the
announcement that he was 'better.' The medical men round about were
excessively chagrined; but every body else rejoiced at the good news.

All this time, what of Joel Burns? How did he do? Not what was the
history of his physical mala