Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-09-09
A Broken Heart.

The interesting case of "a literally bro
ken heart we subjoin, was related by DIR
j. X. Mitchell, of the Jefferson College
Philadelphia, to his class last winter, while
lecturing upon the disease of the heart
1t will be seen, on perusing thatit the ex
preston, " broken hearted, is not merely
fgurative:
In the early part of his medical career
DR.. NJ. accompanied as surgeon pack
ct that sailed between Liverpool and one
of our southern ports. On the return voy-
age, soon after leaving Liverpool, while
the doctor and the captain &C the vessel
a weather beaten son of Nuptue, but pos
sessed of uncommonly fine feeling and
strong impulses, were conversing in the
latter's state-room, the captain opened a
large chest and carefully took out a num-
Der of articles of various descriptions,
which he arranged upon table. DIR. NJ.
surprised at the display Of costly jewels,
ornaments, dresses, and all the varied
paraphernalia of which ladies are natu<
rally fond, inquired of the captain his OBJ
ject in having made SO many valuable
purchases. The sailor, in reply, said
that for seven or eight years, he had been
devoutedly attached to lady, to whom
he had several times made proposals of
marriage, but was as often rejected that
her refusal to wed him, however, had on
ly stimulated his love to greater exertions;
and finally, upon renewing his offer, de-
claring in the ardency of his passion that
without her society life was not worth hav-
ing, she consented to become his bride upon
his return from his next voyage, Hewasso
overjoyed at the prospect of marriage,
from whichint the warmth ofhis feelings, he
probably anticipated more happiness than
is usually allotted to mortals, that he spent
all his ready money, while in London, for
bridal gifts. After gazing at them fond
ly for some time, and remarking on them
in turn, " think this will please Annie, ;"
and 81 am sure she will like that" he
replaced them with the utmost care This
ceremony he repeated every day during
the voyage and the doctor often observ-
ed a tear glisteningin his eye. as he spoke
of the pleasure he would have in present
ing them to his affianced bride
Onreaching his destination, the captain
arrayed himself with more than usual pre-
cision, and disembarked as soon as posi-
BILE, to hasten to his love. As he was "a
bout to step into the carriage awaiting
him, he was called aside by two gentlemen,
who desired to make a communication,
the purport of which was that the lady
had proved unfaithful to the trust reposed
in her, and married another, with whom
she had decamped shortly before. In
stantly the captain was observed to clap
his hand to his breast and fall to the
ground. He was taken up and conveyed
to his room on the vessel. DIR. NJ. was i'm
mediately summoned; but before he reach
ed the poor captain he was dead. A post
mortem examination revealed the cause
of his unfortunate decease. His heart
was found literally torn in twain The
tremendous propulsion of the blood, con-
sequentupon such violent nervous shock,
forced the powerful muscular tissues asun-
der, add life was at an end. The heart
was broken. gos