Life — December 4, 1902 — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

«LIFE ~ physician, passing his hand wearily over his brow; ‘‘all success has its penalties, But, my dear, try to view the matter more broadly. Look The Boon of the Century. A FAMous physician and his young - wife sat together in his office, a vast and beautiful apartment for which its owner had “ ransacked the ages, spoiled the climes.” Upon the walls were priceless tapestries, and the dim, rich canvases of Murillo, Velas- quez and Rembrandt alternated with the most exquisite works of modern artists. There were wonderful carv- ings, rare statues, curios from many lands. The air was perfumed with the delicious fragrance of quantities of American Beanty roses and violets. The doctor’s beautiful wife, clad in a superb Doucét gown, her Feliz hat thrown carelessly upon a chair, sat with her head bowed upon her hands, a figure of despair, “I do not see how we can continue in our present manner of life,” she moaned. ‘* You have lost thou- sands of dollarsthis yearinSouth- ¢ ern oil wells, Western mines, and on the turf. Then, too, our ex- penditure has been colossal. We have entertained on a magnificent scale; your yachts and objets d'art have cost enormously, as have my jewels and gowns. I must con- fess it frightens me.” The physician regarded her with agrave smile. ‘‘Admittingall that you say of our vast expenditure,” he said, “believe me the great source of our income has been scarcely tapped. Are there not thousands of rich women, many of them young, strong and healthy, yet to be operated upon?” “That is the worst of it all,’’ sobbed the fair, young wife. “Horrid things! I haa them! They always wear pink ribbons in their nightgowns, fall in love with you, and talk eternally and importantly of their anatomy.” ‘Alas, yes,’’ sighed the great 15 at the question from the humanitarian as well as the financial point of view. Think of these poor, rich women into whose empty lives we physicians have been the humble means of bringing the sunshine of surgery. ** We have given them, as you have pertinently pointed out, a topic of con- versation, which age cannot wither, nor cus- tom stale. We have bestowed upon them a social prestige, which ordinary people in the fall possession of their anatomy can never hope to attain. We have—” The doctor’s young wife broke into vio- lent weeping. ‘That is the bitterest draught of my cup, that is the fatal blot in my ’scutcheon ! I have good birth, great wealth, beauty, youth, charm, tact; and yet women are be- ginning to treat me as though I werea freak. Social ostracism stares me in the face, because I have never undergone a surgical operation.” . “That you must expect,’’ said her hus- band, gravely and sternly,‘ if you have not the courage of your husband's convictions. If you are willing to live your life without the inestimable benefits of surgery, I shall never, under any circumstances, lift a finger to alter your decision. The greatest ANEW GAME, NAMING THE WINNER. THIS WINTER'S NEW INDOOR OAME, DEVISED TO TAKE THE PLACE OF THE SUMMER AUTOMOBILE, As SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE. PING-PONG DID THAT OP LAWN TENNIS. PLAYED WITH LIVE CHILDREN, INSTEAD OP DOLLS, THE GAME comicbooks.com ay