Litchfield enquirer., 1831-06-02

! He had witnessed the call to many mor- tai but never until this hour, had he been seriously affected. There was wide dif- ference between his own case and that of his patients !; he could look upon the ap- proach of death to others, unshrinking and unappalled. But now the case was brought home to his own door. He was not exact ly fit to die, nor willing to go, even had he been it. He wanted to make more double charges and he wanted leisure to res pent afterwards. With avarice unsatis6ed, d sore throat, excited nerves, ,and conscience Ill at ease. his agitation was extreme. 'There! thcre!' exclaimed he, starting up again, don't you hear it, wife 2 Do lie down, Doctor,' again entreat- ed the good woman, and compose your- self to rest. The noise, dare say, is noth- ing but the wind singing through the great button-wood tree. ! beg you lie down, Doctor.'
 No, my dear,' said the doctor, mourn fully shaking his Itead-'ihe wind never makes a noise like that. I've been out in al! weatl'ers, and under all circumstances, through Arrests and glens, among cliffs and mountains, and never did hear the wind singing such dirge as this. Hark! there 1! again-again My dear, have but a short time to. live.' u..',..
 'Oh! don't now, Doctor Phlcbotomy, take any such notion in your head en. treated the good woman-' you distress me me very much; I can't bear to hear you talk sO.' -.t
 There there do you hear that ?- There's no use in mincing the matter,' said the doctor, with another mournfnl shake of the head we're all mortal-poor miser- able mortal creatures--and must go as we'll as the rest of the world. You must be widow my dear.'
 Mrs. Phlebotomy burst into tears.
 Don't cry, my dear-don't cry. hope I've been a kind husband to you. And though must now leave you a widow, shall not leave you destitute. You will have a good jointure.'
 tOh! Doctor, you'll kill me, if you talk of dying sobbed Mrs. Phlebotomy.
 I've made some money,' resumed the doctor-' but there's one thing that lies heavy on my heart-my books-my ac- count books ...... Don't trouble yourself about your ac- counts now said the wife-'it will only make you worse. Do lie down and cOm- pose yourself; dare say inc accounts will be taken care oG'
 She prevailed upon him once more to lie down; but the idea of his approaching dis- solution and the account books run miser- ably in his head. 'l'm growing worse eve- ry moment, my dear,' said he. 'Oh my throat ]! ! can scarcely get my breath. ] have but little time to live, and must use that little in doing justice to my late cn'- players. My account books-Oh avarice Oh thirst of gain !-my account books must be altered.'
 'How! altered 2 exclaimed Mrs. Phle- botomy, who had no suspicion of the twin charges with which the books abounded. 'l-l-I have ech-ch-ch-arged 600 much, my dear stammered the Doctor, in an ag- ony of fear and remorse. 'I-l've made two charges, where ought to have made but one.' Mrs. Phlebo,omy was shocked at this confession.
 Il wish, my dear,' continued the hus. band, you'd call mp Justus; tell him want to see him insiantly.'
 Tho good lady did as she was desired and, in the twinkling of bed post Jus tus stood by the couch of his master.
 'Justus,' said the Doctor, with dolo' rous groan, I'm going for't-my last houI is at hand-my last pestle has so"nded.'
 JIstus started, and the doctor went on You know, Justns, I've done a good deal ofpractice, ,and made good many charges but you don't know that I've charged double in great many instances. But it's a fact. And now want you should take the account books, and wherever I've made double charges, that you should erase one of them. Do this quickly, Justus.'
 'Now /! tonight 7 said Jus,us who ex. pectcd his master was little delrious.
 Yes, quickly, Justus, said the doctor set about it this moment. Don't close all eye, ,Justus, until you've erased every other one of the twin charges
 Justus, who was student under Doctor Phlebotomy, had no idea but bis master would get over his strange notion before morning. But he was willing to do as he was ordered, if it were for nothing else than to witness the doctors clagrin, when he should find his accounts so miserabIy rrutilated, and himself not dead nor likely 10 die. He set busily to work, and before sunrise, had expunged many an unlawful hundred dollars from the doctors books.
 In the mean time the appalling noise had become fainter and fainter, and af last to- ..llv d;ed awav. Rsf inc warning had hear