The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-12-04
WARREN TT-T--


eomewhst disconnected me; for in addis
ion to the deep interest lfelt in the fasss
Of the lovely snfitrer, 1 had always m all
horrencc, for the operative part ofthe pr0-
fession, which many years of practice die
not sufiiceto remove. The necessary ar
rangements beihg at length completed, -
consisting of a hateful array ofinstrumentss
cloths, s,-sponge warm water, SIC. &c.
Ia message was sent to Mrs. ST., to
inform her all wns ready. lls.r hin
SIR WAS just making q jocuIar and
not very well timed allusion to my agitat-
ed air, when the door was opened, and
Mrs. ST. entered, followed by her two
attendants. Her step was fira,--hcr air
composed--and her pale featuresirradidtt.
ed with snile--and, however, as tie
cold ts-ilight Of October. She was then
about twenty six or seven years Of age
and, under all the disadvantageousc circum-
stances in which she was placed, looked
at that moment beautiful woman. Her
hair was light auburn, and hung back
neglectcdly over forehead and neck
white as marble. Her full blue eyes,
which usually beamed with delicious
pehsive expression from beneath
-"tse soft !angaor cf the dropping Ed,"
wee now lighted with the glitter Of a rest
lessness and agitation, which the noblest
degree ofself command could not entirely
conceal or repress. Her features were
|regular-her nose and mouth were cxqui-
sitely chiselled-and her complexion fair,
almost to transparency, Indeed, an emf
nent medical writer has remarked that
the most beautiful women are generally,
the subjects of this terrible disease. A
large Indian shawl was thrown over her
shoulders, and she wore 4 white muslin
dressing-gown. And was il this innocent
and beautiful being who was doomed to
writhe beneath the torture and disfgure-
ment Of the operating knife' Ny heart
ached. A dccahter Of port wine and
some glasses were placed on small table
near the window; she beckoned mc tow
ards it, and was going to speak.
Allow me, my dear madam, 10 pour
you glass of wine," said l. ,-a.J ,.aG
lit w,.ld DO ,ne good, Doctor" she
whispered. She barely touched the glass
with her lips, aud then handed it to me,
saying with assumed dcheeriulness, Come,
Doctor, l see you need it as much as do
after all. Yes, Doctor, she continued
with emphasis, "you are very, rc,y kind
and feeling to me-" When / had set
down the glass, she cohtlnued, Dear
Doctor, do fofgive woman's weakness
and try if you can hold this letter which
received yesterday from Captain St.,
and in which he speaks very fondly-so
that my eyes may rest on lis dear hand-
writing all the while am sitting here
without being noticed by any one else
will your"
| Madam, ybG must really excuse mo
it will ngitate you'll must beg"-
AT this moment Sir - approached ID
with cheerful air, saying, Well, ma
dam, is your tcte-a-tete finished' want
to get this little matter over, and give you
permanent ease" ] do not think there
ever lived a professional man who could
speak with such an assuring air az sir -!
You are mistaken" she replied with
firmness; !" it will rather compose me-
And If should" expire, she was going
to have said-but her tongue refused ut
terance. She then put the letter into my
hand-hers was cold, icy cold, and clam
my-but did not perceive 1t tremble.
In return, madam, you must give me
leave to hold your hand during the opera
ton"
4 What--you fear me, Doctorp' she
replied with 4 faint smile, but did not re-
fuse my request. H
:" am ready, Sir --. Are tho SER
wants sent out" she inquired from one of
the women present. .fa Due.
+" Yes, nadm," she replied In tears.
I" And my little Harry" Mrs. St.
asked, in fainter tone She was an
swered in the affirmative. aca.sf
Z" Then ] am prepared" said she, and
sat down in the chair that was placed for
her. One of the attendants then remoy-
ed the shawl from her shoulders, and Mre.
St herself, with perfect composurs,
assisted in displacing ms much Of her dress
as was necessary. She then suffered Sir
- to place her on the corner side 6fthe
chair, with her left arm thrown over the
pack Of it, aud her face looking over her.
10 nj shoulder She enye me her r;oht