A doctor anywhere is a welcome visitor and a
friend in need; in the wilderness, in the depth of winter he ranks but
little lower than the angels. Often, coming to a lonely cabin, fairly
buried in snow-drifts, he would climb in through the gable window of the
loft; and no doubt his descent to the patient lying below suggested the
arrival of a heavenly visitor.
One glorious winter day Mamie Slocum through Mat's persuasions
accompanied him from Nevada City to Graniteville. He wanted her to see
the magnificence of the Sierras in winter. Mamie needed little coaxing.
Indeed, her admiration for Mat was making her unmindful of very eligible
suitors. Besides, she enjoyed life in the open almost as much as he did.
But I suspect on that beautiful winter morning both enjoyed each other's
society even more than the scenery. As far as North Bloomfield, she was
the only passenger, so well had Mat and the weather bureau contrived
matters. He explained that he was really in need of her assistance, for
in the open places where the snow had drifted across the road, it was
often necessary to attack the drifts with a snow-shovel. He would then
pass the reins to Mamie, who, demurely perched aloft, rosy-cheeked and
most bewitching, was a picture for an artist.
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