Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-03-24
THURSDAY, MARCH "a, 1881.

From Black,cood's Nagaeme for February.
FROM THE DIARY OF a LATE PHYSICIAN.
THE SPECTRE-SMlTTEN.
Concluded.
Al -ha-ha It's YOU is tits you-,you
anatomy You plaster! how dare you mock me
in this horrid way, en-" shouted the maniac, and
Swinging like lion from his lair, he made Tor
the spot where the confounded apothecary stood.
.tupi6ed with terror verify believe he ould
have been DESTROYED, torn to pieces, or cruelty
mal,rcated N some way or other. had not start
ed and thrown myself between him and the I'M
Whiting object Oils vengeance, exclaiming at the
same lime as a sderher resort sudden and
strung appeal to his fears, Remember -.
r! u"
81 dbl ,or' stammered the maniac, step
,;po hack. perfectly ashast lie seemed utter
is nstrifed. and sunk shiyerng down again IN
10 his former position at the corner OF the bed,
moaning-s. Oh me! wretched me! Away
awav-away!" then stepped to Mir, who
had not moved an inch, directed HIM to retire IN
stantly, conduct ell the females out OF the cham
hers. end return Immediately with two or three
of the importers, or any other aD'e-nsuieu men
he could procure on the spur OF the moment; and
concluded by slipping the razor unobserredly
rs | thought, into his haads, and bidding him re-
move It to place Of safety. He Obeycd, and
fopnI myself once more alone WITH the madmau.
..M-!-,ear Mr. M---!--lve got some
thing to saw to you-I have, indeed; it's very
verv particular!n commenced approaching
him slowly, and spcahinein the sot'est tone
conceivable.
..Dut you've forgotten THIS, You fool, you-
YOU havel' he replied liercely, approaching the
dressing table. and suddenly setting ANoHER
KszoK-the fellow Of the one had got hold of
with such mains ard peril-and which, alas, alas
had never once caught ny eye! gave myself
up for lost, fully expecting that should be muir
dcred, when saw the blood thirsty spirit with
which he clutched ii, brandlshed 1t oyerhis head
and with smile of fendsh derision, shook 1t
full before me. l trembled, however, the next
moment, for himself, for,he drew it rapidly to
and fro before MS throat, as though ne would
give the fatal cash, but did not touch the SKIN
He CRASHED his teeth with kind OF savage salts
faction at the dreadful power with which he was
consciously armed.
s.Oh, Mr.. NJ. think of your poor mother
and sisters!" | exclaimed in u sorrowful tone,
nv voice fa!tering with uncomfortable agitation.
He shook the razcr again before me with an AR
Of defiance, and really "grInned horribly
chastity smile.
Now suppose choose to finish your perGdy,
YOU wretch! and do what You dread, eh:" said
he holding the razor as if he going TO cut his
throat.
..Nhy, wouldn't it be nobler to, forgive and
forget Mr.. Nh replied with tolerable
frmness, and folding my arms Oh my breast,
anxious to appear quite at ease.
Too-too--too. doctor .-TOo-too-too-
too.-Ha. by the way what do you say to a
razor hornpipe-eh!-Ha, ha, ha-a novelty, at
least.' He began forthwith to dance few steps,
E.,p liz hirh and
walls. sudden, shrIll, and dissOnant cry, resem-
bling that used by those who dance the Highland
tiina," or some other species of Scottish dance.
| affected To admire his dancing, even to ecs!acy.
clapping my hands, and shouting " Bravo. brave!
--Encore," He seemed inclined to go over II
aqa,n, but was too much exhausted, and sat down
nantng Oh the window-seat, which was close be-
hind him.
you'll catch cold MIR. NJ, sitting in that
draught of air, naked and perspirlng as you are.
Will Won put Oh YOUR clothes" said lapproach-
my him.
ssNo!"he replied siernly, and extending the
razor Overwhelmingly. fell back of course-not
Knowing what 10 do, nor choosing to risk either
his destruction or nv own by attempting any &C
tive interference; for what was to be done with a
,nad,nan who had an open razor in his hand:-
MIR, the apothecary, seemed to have been
gone an age; aud found even my temper be-
ginning to ia,l me, for was tired of his tricks.
deadly dangerous as they were. My attention.
however, was soon riveted again on the motions
of the maniac. :. Yes, yes, decidedly so-l'm too
hot to do it now-I am" said he, wiping the
Precipitation from his forehead. and eyeiss the
razor intently. 9. must &c, calm and cool, and
then--then for the sacrifice. All, ha, the sacrii-
fce An Offering explation-evcn as Abraham
--ha, he. ha! But by the way, how did Abra'
ham 10 t--that is, how did he intend to have it
done? All, must ask my familiar"
"a sacrifice Mr.. NJ Why what do You
means'' enquired, attempting laugh say
attea,pting-for my blood trickled chilly thro'
my veins. and my heart seemed frozen
:. What do | mean, eh? Wretch! Dolt.-
What do mean? Why peace offering to my
Maker, for badly spent life, to be sure! One
would think YOU had never heard of such thing
as religion-yoo sow"'
II deny that the sacrifice would be accepted,
and for two reasons" replied, suddenly re-