The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-12-09
A TRAGEDY IN REAL LIFE.

oo'" eouu'i'es respectively gam an asylum,
by passing the frontiers, opened door 10
the commission of the must flagitious acis.-
Conversing one day, at Portici, OIL this sub
Ject, with Lady Hamilton, she related to me
the following story: "About the year l743.
a person of the Lamo ofOgvie, an Trishman
by birth, who practised surgery with great
reputation at Rome, and who resided not far
from the ''Piazza d Spagna," in that city:
being in bed, was called up to attend some
strangers who demanded his professional as
slsance. They stopped before his house in
coach, and on his going 10 the door, he found
two men masked, by whom he was desired
TO accompany them Immediately, as the case
which brought them admitted of no delay,
and not 10 omit taking with him his lancets.
He complied, and got into the coach; but,
no sooner had they quilted the street in
which he resided, than they informed him
that he must suqmit to have his eyes banda
ged, the person 10 whom they were about TO
conduct him being lady of rank, whose
name and place of abode it was ndispensa-
bic to conceal. To this requisition he like
wise submitted; and after driving through
number of streets, apparently with view 10
prevent his forming any accurate idea of the
part of the city to which he was conducted,
the carriage at length stopped. The two gen
tlemen, his companions, then alighted, and
each taking him by the arm, conducted him
into house. Ascending narrow staircase,
they entered an apartment where he was re-
leased from the bandage led over his eyes.
One Of them next acquainted him, that it be-
ing necessary TO put out of life lady who
had dlshonored her family, they had chosen
him TO perform the Office, knowing his pro-
fessional skill; that he would find her in the
adjoining chamber, prepared TO submit 10 her
fate; and that he must open her veins with
as much expedition as possible-a service,
for the execution of which he should receive
a liberal recompense.
"Ogilvie at first peremptorily refused to
commit an act so highly repugnant to his feel
lngs. But the two strangers assured him,
with solemn denuncations ofvengeance, that
his refusal could only prove fatal to himself,
without atfording the slightest assistance to
the object of his compassion: that her doom
was irrevocable, and that unless he chose to
participate in similar fate, he must submit
to execute the office imposed on him. Thus
situated, and finding all entreaty Or remon-
STRANGE in vain, he entered the room, where
he found lady, of a most interesting figure
and appearance, apparently in the bloom Of
youth. She was habited in loose undress
and Immediately afterwards, female atten-
dant placed before her a large tub filled with
warm water, in which she immersed her feet
Far from imposing and impediment to the
act which she knew he was sent TO perform,
the lady assured him of her pefect resigna-
ton, entreating him TO put the sentence pas.
sed upon her into execution with as little de-
lay as possible. She added, that she was
we'll aware no padon could be hoped for from
those who had devoted her 10 death, which
alone could expate her trespass; felicitating
herself that his humanity would abbreviale
her sufferngs, and terminate their duration.
"After short conflict with his own mind,
perceiving no means of extrIcation or of es-
cape, either for the lady or for himself; be-
ing moreover urged 10 expedite his work by
the two persons without, who impatient at
his reluctance, threatened to exercise vio-
ence on him if he procrasnated, ,Oglyie took
out his lancet, opened her veins, and bled
her to death in short time. The gentleman
having carefully examined the body, in order
to ascertain that she was no more, after ex-
pressing their satisfaction, offered him a
purse of zechins, as remuneration; but he
declined all recompense, only requested to be
conveyed away from scene ON which he
could not reflect without horror. With this
entreaty they complied, and having again ap-
piled bandage 10 his eyes, they led him
down the same staircase 10 the carriage
But, it being narrow, in descending the
steps, he contrived to leave on one, or both
of the walls, unperceived by his conductors,
the marks of his fingers which were stained
with blood. After observing precautions
similar TO those used in bringing him thither
from his own house, he was conducted home
and at parting, the two masques charged
him, if he valued his life, never to divulge,
and, if possible, never to think OF the past
transaction. They added, if he should en-
brace any measures, with view 10 render it
pubic, or to set on an inquiry into it, he
would be inundated to their revenge. Having
finally dismissed him at his own door, they
drove off, leaving him to his reflections.
"On the subsequent morning, after great
irresolution, he determined, at whatever risk
to his personal safety, not to participate, by
concealing so enormous crime. 1t formed,
nevertheless, a delicate and difficult under
taking 10 substantiate the charge, as he re-
NAMED altogether ignorant of the place to
which he had been carried, or of the name
or quality of the lady whom he had deprived
of life. Without suffering himself, however,
to be deferred by these considerations, he
waited on the secretary ofthe apostolic cham
Der, and acquainted him with every particu-