Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-09-28

"e"ec 'hah the Oddities and eccentricities OF
woman, particularly an old maid, afflicted
win Tue Mysteries. Perhaps also, a greater
requisilion was never made upon the patience
tot a physician, than in case which some
Time since happened in a ncighhnring tow n
a maiden lady by the name Of Sally Strick-
land, who some ten or fifteen Years ego
doubled cape thirty, without BEING hailed
ana much less ordered TO, was attac ked with
the mysteries anu occasionally supposed
herself TO he dying. These fits almost inva
riaaly seized her in The night, and frequently
al late hour, or during severe storm. Blu,
notwithstanding the hour of the night or the
|inclemcncy ct the weather, some one must
post OIL Tor The family physician a humor-
GUS ana i"cetious gentleman, who lived sume
TWO or three miles from the residence of NJ ISIS
""''y' do she WAS called by the juniors Of her
| sex.
he physician, ever ready TO obey the
calls and TO administer 10 the wants of suI-
ietIng humanity, was, for several nights i'm
succession, called out of his bed 70 visit SAL
~, who supposed herself dyiag The kind
hearted Doctor prescribed for the body, and
endeavored 10 quiet and soulhe the mind of
his patient. He assured her there was moth
Ing alarming in her case, tba, he had attend.
q" numerous cases precisely like hers, and
neVer failed OF cure, and that if she would
give herself rest, by banishing the fear of
| Gealh, and give him an opportunity 10 make
some trihing repairs on her shattered con.
siitutidn, he would ensure her a complete
! and speedy recovery.
Though this mode Of treatment would
operate as an anedyne during his presence.
we; The moment his back was turned she
would relapse into her former state, and be-
tore he had Time TO get home another mes.
senger would be after him With the old story
'hat Miss Sally Strickland was dying. One
coiu and stormy night the Doctor had been
called 10 see Miss Sally, and had succeeded.
/ as usual In paciiying her fears and left her
enjoying sound and refreshing sleep He
had hardly arrived al home ,drenched through
with The rain which was falling in torrents
and got into warm and comfortable bed.
when he was awakened by loud rap at the
door and noise without begging him 10
GET up IN moment, as one oil his neighbors
was dying and needed his assistance Half
asleep and half awake, he sprang from the
bed, and ran 10 the door TO enquire which of
his neiShbors was in SO dangerous a condi-
ton. On opening the door he was surprised
and chagrined 10 learn that The dying neigh
Dor was Miss Sally Strickland, that after he
had lett her 40 hour or Two before, she was
suCuehiy iaKen GOWN again ar,I h"d-sA-. L.
TO hasten his return, and 10 tell him that UNI
less he came quick he would no. see her a
live. The messenger urged him to get rea>
dy as soon as possible, and in the mean time
he would get his horse and sulky up and
have them ready of the door. The Doctor,
worn out with the repeated calls and iaiigued
with his previous visit, hesitated; but finally
decided on going, determined 10 make an
end OF The job by either killing or curing.
On his arrival he pat on u gloomy and
CHASTITY coun;enaDce, said hut little and that
very solemnly, and in all respects appeared
more like stranger IRON another world,
than the humorous family physician. On
entering the room OF Sally she noticed the
ceuntenance Of the Doctor, aud discovered
that something was preying upon his spirits,
as he dad not appear with his wOnled cheer
lulness. She enquired Of him The cause OF
his gloom and depression, and begged him
TO unbosom his mind fully and freely, as it
would probably be the last opportunity he
would have.
| He told her il would be improper under
existing circumstances-lhal as the time of
her dissolution was approaching it might
terrIfy her and hasten the time of her depar-
tuTe. She entreated him 10 keep nothing
from her, though il might relate TO herself,
for she was DESTROYS OF knowing the worst OF
her case, and was prepared 10 meet 1t, be ii
what ii might. He still declined disclosing
! the cause of bis melancholy, and insisted that
/ her remaining strength was insufficient 10
sustain the shock which il must necessarily
produce and begged her TO turn her thoughts
| TO another and more appropriate subject.
Though Sally supposed herself to be dying
! yet she was unwilling TO die without having
her curiosity gratified, and she therefore the
more strongly importuned the Doctor TO
keep her no longer in suspense. Alter get
ling her curiosity and imagination on tip-toe
he consented. He said when the messenger
came last for him be was in sound sleep, &
was dreaming that he was in the world of
woe--that Beelzebub himselfw as conducting
him 10 the various rooms OF The prison Of de-
spar for the purpose OF showing him their
arrangement; that in passing the door Of
room in which several young salanS lodged,
he saw them jumping and skipping about
| making great noise and apparently in high
| glee; that BeelZebub told Them to 90 TO bed
and be quiet that on their not obeying his
order cheerIully and readily he stamped ire.
mendousy on The floor, and added with true
satanic emphasis, $50 to bed ] say and gel
some sleep, Tor old Sal Strickland is coming
! tomorrow, and there will he no more sleep
for fortnight Miss Sally sprung for the
broom, but the Doctor catching uphi saddle
bags, escaped but the cure was effected
NeD England ReUieD.
Gratitude IN Extract II reueuber