Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-06-24

would not shrink in any attempt to save a
valuable life. Why should you?'
The Captain returned. The case was
opened, and proved upon examination, to be
large case of amputatng instruments, and
fortunately the trepan and its necessary APP
paratus accompanying them.
The father revived from an apparent stu
por. The sight of the knives made him
shuddcr. WELL said he, in whisper,
what is to be done 2
Tine young man and the physician we're
tonversing audibly together for moment.
mo sir, replied the physician. Nothing in
the world would induce me TO attempt it,
Having no confidence in my own power,
you know, sir, 1t is not likely that l should
succeed
IF you were not on boat, under the cir
cumstances, and at the request of those in
terested, would attempt it. Be il UNDER
stood that you refuse, and if her father will
trust me, will save her i'll can. Captain,
you know me. can have none but good
motves.'
The father had listened. The calm, and
cool manner of the young student weighed
much IN his favor. Afiera look at his child,
who still seemed in the sleep of death, the low,
peculiar breathing sound, attendant upon
such cases, being the only sign of life, and
sure symptom OF the nature of the hurt, he
took the young mans hand and said, do
what you think best. Save her if you can !;
God help you.' He kissed her, and walked
away, checking the emotion, and repeating a
prayer for her safety.
A request was made for all those whose
aid was now necessary, 10 retire from the
cabin. The physician, to his credit be it
spoken, remained to assist in an act which
he dared not be principal in. The ins,ru-
ments having been carefully arranged, and
every thing that prudence could suggest, at
tended to, the young lady, was placed upon a
table TO undergo this fearful operation
There was, to her, no dread. She could feel
no pain. Sensation, to her was lost facul-
ty. But the loss Of self possession in the
operator-a lack of knowledge and Judge
ment in the critical moment might make of
the instrument used to save life, weapon
of sure destruction. The physician secured
her head in position most convenient, the
student removed from the injured spot the
golden curls, as he took the scalpcI in his
hand to make the necessary ncison through
the nteguments. His hand tremblcd not,
his eye quailed not. In a moment part of
the sea- Up was dissected up-thc bone was
visib!e-the saw about to do its work.
Such silence-a frightful wound appeared
and though inflicted upon one who felt not
the edge of the knife, still it called forth a
feeling of suspense. But a short time had
been occupied by the young operator, when
removing piece Of the skull of circular
form, the brain. with its thousand vessels dis
tended with blood, showed plainly through
its covering membranes. Her father had
walked about the cabin, not daring to look in
the direction in which his child was lying
After various attempts to speak, he turned,
saw the blood necessarily lost, trInkling
down her livid cheek, and covering in its
course, the loose locks that had been spared
lis she alive do not answer me-Stll
must ask-Ellen, Ellen
Expressions like these escaped from his
lips, in tones of heart sinking despair. No
attention was paid 10 him by the operator,
who was proceeding to the last stages of his
task with as firm hand and determined heart
as if the instruments were acting upon mar
bic. A moments pause for reflection and
consultation, had enabled him to decide upon
an important point. Applying a lever TO the
depressed portion of the skull it was with
some difficulty raised, and signs Of returning
Consciousness were evident. She moved
her hands, raised them to her head. The
eye of the sufferer resumed its natural Office,
and from her lips came the words of trans
port-'Father am safe ! I'm better = The
transition from apparent death 10 life, so sud-
den, was like the charms of the magician S
art. Overcome by the change, her father
sank into chair, and was not disturbed till
the proper dressings were applied, and the
operation pronounced complete. The party
were soon after landed at the town where
intended spending some days, and with the
young surgeon assisted in her removal to
the carriage. For days he attended her con-
stanlly, and her complete recovery was the
result. Is there not something romantic in
his!'
mo, it's what might be called an interest
ing case, and its equal may be found in any
of your published lectures by distinguished
professors of surgery
well, it's an odd way to be introduced
to wife. You'll allow that | suppose
'Why, yes, one would hardly suppose that
cutting hole in the Uranium of "A young la.
dy, was the way TO win her heart
lit was in this case, at any rate. The
fair-halred lady introduced you yesterday
the wife of my friend-, who, you know
is no doctor, was the heroine OF my romance
! had the story from the NJ. d. who was pre-
sent on the occasion. And her father has
given him, with her, a fortune. That lock
of hair you saw braided in the breach you Sc
much admired in his bosom, was the one Gu
from Ellen's head, previous to the operation
and which he prizes above the jewels tina
encompass it. Now what say you to the ro
nance of our profession 2
Say, yawned the JUNIOR nj. d., why
that such things don't happen every day.
Why is not your friend one ofus ?
'IIe is, in all but the name, possessing tn
qualities necessary to excel IN the practic
, of the healing art, an honor to society, de
) lighting to do good, enjoying the felicity O