The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-03-24

cry glance OF then He said many very
witty things in conversation, and had q
knxck OF uttering the qnalntest conceits
with something Ike whine of compunc-
tion in his tone, which ensured him roars
Of laughter. As Tor his own nugh, when
he did lsugh--there is no describing it,
short. sudden, unexpected was IL, like q
fash Of powder in the dsrk.--Not trace
Of real mcrriment fingered on his features
an instant after the noise had ceased. Yon
began to doubt whether he had laughed al
all, and to look abs to see where the ex'
plosion came from. Except on such rare
occasions Of forgetfulness on his part, his
demeanor was very calm and quiet. He
loved TO get q msa who would come and
sit with him all the evening. smoking, and
slipping wine 10 cloudy silence. He could
rot endure hustle OF obstrepercusness and
when he did unfortunately fall foul ofa son
Of noise. az soon as he had had "a sample
Of his quality" he would abruptly rise and
take his leave, saying, in a qnerulous tone,
like that Of sick child. an. go!" probably
these two words will at once recall him to
tho memory Of more than one Of my read
ers land he was as good as his word; for
oil his acquaintances--a and ] among the
number--knew his ecccnti icitics, and ex-
cused them.
! Such was the man--at least as 10 the
more prominent points Of hrs character
whose chattering black servant presented
himself hastily TO my notice one morning,
as was standing on my door steps, pom
dering the prob abilities Of wet or fine for
the day. He spoke in such spluttering
tone Of trepidation, that it was somc time
before | could conjecture what was the
| matter. AT length distinguished some.
thing like the wsrds, ooh, Docta, Docta,
Docts, come a, aud see Massa! come-s
Him 60 gashly--him 20 ILL.,"
| "Ah he's gone mad, you mean, eh--is
| that il ? Hem! .nod--is il so ?" said I,
pointing, with wink, to my forehead.
mo, no, doctor head turned !---him
head" replied Nambo; and raising both his
hands to his head, he seemed trying to
twist il roundi I could make nothing Of
his gesticulations, so dismissed him, tell
ing him TO take word that should make
his masters my first call. may as well
say that | was on terms of friendly famil
iarity with Mr.. n, and puzzled my
self all the way went with attempting to
conjecture what new crotchet he had tax
en- into his odd--and lattsrly, hogan to
suspect, half added head lie had nev
er disclosed symptoms Of what is generally
understood by the word hypochcndrass:
out often thought there was not ikelier
subject in the world for it. At length
found myself knocking al my friends door,
fully prepared for some specimen of anus
ing eccentricity; for the thought now
crossed my mind that he might be really !
Ill. Nambo instantly answered my SUN |
mons, and in twinklng, conducted me to
hs masters bedroom. II was partially |
darkened, but there was light enough for
me 10 Discern that there was nothing un. |
usual in his Appearance. The bed was |
much tossed, to be sure, as ifwith the rest. !
lessness Of the recumbent, who lay on his !
back, which his head turned on one side, !,
aud buried deep in the pillow, and his arms
folded together outside the counterpart. |
His features certainly wore an air Of cx-
haustion and dejccIion, and his eye settled
on me with an alarmed expression from
the moment that lie perceived my entrsncu.
"Oh, dear doctor Isn't this frigbtful /
Isn't il dreadful piece Of busipess?"
"Frightful !--drcadful business" {" I re
peated, with much surprise. "V'hat is
frightful ? Are you ill--have you had an
accident, ch !"
"Ah-ah!--you may well ask that! !" hc
replied; adding after pause, sit took
place this morning, about two hours ag0w
"You speak in parallels, Mr.. N!
~ xt,ha hn -, kn III
you 2"
"Ahont two hours ago--yes," he NUT
tered,-as ifhe had not heard me. "Doc,or.
do tell me truly now, for the curiosity of
the thing, what did you think of me on
first entering the room:--Eh Feel in
rlined to laugh or be shocked--which?"
"Mr. NJ, really have no time for
lrfling, as ! am particularly busy to day.
DO, beg, be little more expicit Why
have you sent for me? What is the mat.
Ter with you ?"
"Why, God bless me doctor!" he replied
with an air Of angry surprise in his manner
which never saw before, 81 think, indeed
rs you who are trifling Have you los,
your eye-sght this morning? DO you
pretend TO say you DO not see have un-
iergone one OF the most extraordinary al
erations in appearance that the body Of
nan is capable of--snch as was never
,eard Of or read Of before ?"
"Once more, Mr.. NJ" repeated, in
! tone of calm astonishmsnt, "be so good
is to be explicit. What are you raving 7
lbopt ?"
craving Egad, I think It's you who
ire raving. doctor" he answered; "or you
nust wish to insult me Do you pretend
o tell me you do not see tina, my head IS
he looked me in the face
steadily and sternly.
"Ha--ha--ha !--Upon my honor, N----,
I've been suspecting a. much for the last
i've or ten minutes I don't think q pa
lent ever described his disease more &c.
:uralely before !"
"Don'i mock me, Doctor -" replied
N----, sternly. by G., ! cant bear il!