The Argosy — page 232: what you’re looking at

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

216 At Gastein. “Tf that be the case,” I said, fervently, “I hope it may come soon.” “Patience. It is coming. I feel it. In a few days all will be changed. Meanwhile, you take a bath to-morrow.” ‘J did not come for the baths,” I cried, with a last desperate effort to make him understand. “I was ordered to take the air, Concern- ing baths never a word was spoken.” “Not take the baths!” ejaculated the doctor, with raised hands, a look of positive terror creeping into his face. ‘Come to Gastein and not take the baths! Then why come at all? You can find air in other parts of the world. Better air than this ; but the baths of Gastein are to be found in Gastein alone. Nowhere else are there such waters- If you are overworked and require rest, they will cure you. The air is all very well as far as it goes; but it is the baths you must look to.” Making due deductions for prejudice or partiality, there yet seemed sense and logic in these words. Certainly it was impossible to discover at present any great virtue in the air. Therefore, plunging boldly into the unknown future, I resolved on the spot to give the baths a chance of working the good prophesied. ‘‘T suppose they will not do harm?” I cautiously remarked. The doctor shook his head. “I am certain of that, by merely look- ing at you. Leave yourself without fear in my hands.” He was kind and attentive, willing and wishing to be of use in alk manner of ways, apart from his professional capacity. Through the whole of a four weeks’ sojourn he was always the same. Happiest it seemed when most actively employed tn the welfare of others. Before leaymg the Dampfbad, I spoke of the unpleasantness of the waterfall. “You are at Straubinger’s, ” said the doctor. ‘‘ What is the number of your room P” “¢ Seven.” “So! On the ground floor—the panelled chambers. I know them well, Count Bismarck had them two seasons running. I was his medical adviser.” This mark of distinction was by no means sufficient to atone for the discomforts of No. 7, with which sentiment the doctor seemed to acquiesce. “The noise of the waterfall is certainly disagreeable,” he added ; ‘‘ especially to those unaccustomed to it. Some cannot endure it: they have no rest by day, no sleep by night. These are my highly nervous and excitable patients. Others, on the contrary, it soothes: their slumbers in consequence are deep and long. One patient of mine, a general in the Prussian army, who had overworked his brain with military tactics, ancied he heard a tune in the waterfall. Whatever melody entered his head on first awaking was taken up by the torrent,and carried ‘on ECORNICLOOO SS (C(O) in —_)