Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-06-21

We were both young alas there the similarity
ceased-she was beautiful-my ugliness was so ap-
parent that acknowledged it myself, She was
wealthy had nothing but my profession and that
not yet secure. She was--but why continue the
enumeration of our Contrasts Suffice it to say that
we were fast approaching the condition when love
in a cottage and thoughts of an annual searching
for beautiful and sentimental names occupy so much
of the mind, when an internal dog (not only OF
daddy, but real caniner) jumped-like swamp
gal into jar of pcklesnto the ring of felicity
and left me to wall him first and myself afterwards
I hated dogs, and the father of my beloved had an
equal aversion to Southerners, and according to the
degree that class stood in his estimation, the old
man and myself disiked the same objects; so his
daughter and myself had to meet by stealth.
Twice a week the class of medical students attend
ed clinical lectures at the hospital which situat
ed in retired part of the town; and thither the
young lady, on the appointed evenings wouled re-
pair and awaiting the departure of the class, we,
walk homewords, could talk over our love affairs
without fear or interruption.
This pleasant arrangement had continued until
nearly the close of the session. and had agreed
that when graduated if her fathers obduracy did
not soften, we would elope, when some good-na-
tured friend kindly informed her father of our in
timacy and that even he came then to apprise
him, he had met her going to keep her appointment.
Highly incensed, the old man started off to pursue
her. but unfortunately did not arrive to prevent but
only witness occurrence that created considera-
BILE attention at the time. Anatomy has ever been
with me favorite branch of my profession and
when student never let slip opportunity, time
and material permitting, to improve myself by dis
section. 1t was passion with me; and whenever
met person extremely emaciated finely develop
ed, my anatomical eye would their proportions,
and instead of paying them the usual courtesies of
of life, would be thinking what glorious subjects
they would be for museum preparations or dissection
and even when my audacious lips were stealing a
kiss from the pulpy mouth of my lady-love, instead
of floating into ecstacies of delight my anatomical
mind would wonder whether, even in death, electric
ity, by peculiar adaptation; might not be able
to continue their bewitching suction. To tell the
truth was becoming "gone' clean doft upon the
subject, and consumptive people and orphan children
began to look with suspicion: but Lucy attrl-
buted my conduct to the eccentrcities of genius and
love.
| Connected with the hospital the class attended,
dead house. is usual in such establishments,
where such patients whose constitutions are not
strong enough to stand the treatment deposited
after death for rtyegh hours in order that their
friends may reclaim their bodies. The m0rgue in
this institutions directly under the lecture ROOM
but, the door kept locked, it was regarded as
sufficiently private
On the day when my intended father-in-law was
made acquainted with the clandestine meetings of
his daughter and myself; I had, as usual. accompa-
MED the class to the hospital and during the delivery
OF the lecture, becoming very faint was forced to
leave the close crowded and seek the fresh air
AS passed the door of the dead-house my re-
ing me to see what was Within pushed it open and
entered, closing it behind me. There were several
bodies, male and female, clearly arrayed upon the
table, but the object that attracted my attention the
most, an infant few weeks old, lying by the
side of its dead mother. They were both so blacl
in the face that would have suspected foul play
had it not been accounted for by the fact that they
were both negroes. I strove to depart, but some
thing formed bond of association between that
dead niger baby and myself which held me to my
place. raZe riVeted unOn it,
wanted just such subject--one l could carry
up in my private room and disseot whilst l wa
tedious hours Without how to get it was the thing
the rules of the college and hospital were imperative
and did not wish to be expelled. l could not beg
borrow or buy-there was but one way left, and tina
was stealing.
The plan simple and easily arranged. l
was very cold weather, and under the ample folds o
my cloak the baby would be concealed efectually -
Separating it from its dead mothers embrace, roll
ed it tenderlY as if alive into as small snace as