Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-05-05
r For the Hannibal journal.
A Chapter of My Life.
by A PHYSICIAN.

~ love-" MY iather died when was ABOUT
ten years old. My mother was left with a
large family, tut in circumstances TO confer
on each child a good education. | had
always determined to become physician.
So after hurried college course returned
home, and attended the lectures for three
successive winters, at Jefferson College.
After receiving the honors of the Institution
spent a few months enjoying the society
of the ladies', and such recreation as the
city offered
| also formed some plans for the future.
In the latter part of August, 1912, made
my arrangements TO travel west. Istarted
alone, save one humble companion in the
form Of a spaniel. came 10 Pittsburgh.
engaged my passage to Cincinnati and
then took packet to Louisville. During
my stay in Louisville ! purchased very
handsome horse that | observed exposed
for sale. Having reached St. Louis on
small boat, the Brunette, entrusted my
horse to the care of a stable keeper, while
| visited some of the small towns on the
Missouri liver On returning to ST. Louis
| casually learned, in the careless talk of
traveller, that a rabid dog had few DAYS
before committed much mischief in town.
The fact was carelessly tossed aside by my
memory, until subsequent events brought
it wildly and fearlully to mind. In the
course Of the week, was Oh my horse
travelling through the fertile, hut s2a:.cly
settled counties of northern Missouri. On
! the newly maze HUuSe UG Il IdTTIrr W TGI-
quire how far it was to TIE next house
on road. Thinking | could easily
reach it before nightfaIl, | rode very leisure
| " but, as emerged from beautiful piece
of timbered land upon far spread prairie,
[ found that Time had far outstlipped me
in his ride. l spoke few inspiring words
to Charlie, but he seemed restless and unu-
sualy (atigued. ...
In a little while the shadows of night
gathered about. One lone star after an
other came out, but my faithful horse grew
more Needless of remonstrance, and finally
turned his head sharply as if he would bite.
sprang from my saddle, the rein in my
and the hitherto gentle Charlie fled with
the speed Of lightning. The sudden recol-
lection of SYMPTOMS that my horse might
have been bit by rabid dog, alarmed me
! exceedingly. With the most acute feeling
of terror, | recalled every Ercmonitory
sign of which had ever heard. Every
thing that could call 10 mind served TO
b strengthen the conviction that my horse
was affected by hydrophoba. Even now
f cannot remember the awful moments OF
e that dark night without feeling the Geld
drops collect on my forehead, and expert
4 encing an irrepreSsible shuddcr. Alone
upon the prairie, far from a house, sur,
h rounded by Egyptian darkness, / felt my
dependence with vividness truly startling
+ raised my thoughts to Almighty God, and
prayed that might be spared that death
which Of all others most dreaded. be-
gan to recall light that, like dim star
had appeared in the distance. | strained
, my eyes it was still glimmering. wins
tied to Carlo, who came bounding to my
: side. From the fatigue and excitement
" would gladly have sunk amid the tall pra
r RE grass, but making my bed with snake,
G and vipers seemed but the prelude 10 rest
from which | could never awake. SO a
h rousng every energy and bracing my
: wearied limbs toiled on on on unit
a the glad and welcome sound of dogs bark
e ing greeted my ears. Finally, | succeeded
: in reaching what found TO be fence, anC
calling MS loud as could was responded to
y by pleasant voice, enquiring Il were lost
4 and inviting me to come in. | went for
4 ward, light was brought to the door, ant
f a very polite gentleman invited me in. A
c party of children were collected about
T. table, on which was globe, books and 9th
c Ell school apparatus.
?, A lady was busily plying her needle.
u soon told my story and was made to feel a
!, comfortable as possible under the circum
q stances. The gentleman was a big man
= had left his State and moved, with a few
neghbors, TO this new country. Mr.. -
# sent his servants the next morning to Scou
= the corpuy in search Of my poor horse
n die was found beside the road, few mi.e
distant, exhibiting every appearance o
i having died Of hydrophobia. Ny poo
q hors, kind friend had YOU been. Owe
g the prairies and through the forests you ha,
- bSrne your master with diligence and I'm
" firing energy, and now, alt That could
should be done, a grave was dug, IN,
!. hoise buried, and from the nearest town
~ obtained a marble slab, which doubt no