The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-05-24


The widow recovered in about an hour and
caring what had been done. took her bonnst
hnd staff and small bundle, and shutting her
aittle shop betook herself to the road and trav-
lolcd all night after them.
At this time had been about woek resi-
dent at the hospital as pupil Onthe day
following tho events Just mar ated, l went ut the
hour Of visit, which was in the afternoon, into
tho accldent-ward of the establishment. 1t
was long hall. with a range Of low iron bed
steads on each side. a large fire. place at the
end, with doors to the right and left, leading to
two or three small apartments, called theside-
rooms, where any patients were kept whose
cases required particular attention, or removal
from the noise of tho ward.
Surrounding one of the 'esteads, saw a
crowd of pupils, and among them the surgeon
and his clerk; and Judge of my surprise to hear
the latter read from tho journal, report as
folows:-
'Jane Granton. aged eighteen, about middle
stature, fair complexioned, and very goodl look-
ing; factory girl. Last evening. near West
water cotton factory, -shire, was thrown
from gig sc.
listened with amazement. and elbowing
my way among. the young gentlemen. saw The
identical girl lying along in the usual hospital
night dress, her face covered with sweat, while
twnge of agony passed over her features
every now and then. when anything touched
the bed. and bright hectic flush spotted her
cheeks. At her head sat her mother, holding
mechanically in her hand a small tin pa nni-
kin, containing wine and water. and gazing a
round her with a sort Of blank amazed look
while her lips continued moving rapidly though
she uttered no sound.
ts soon rs tho clerk had finished reading
ha raporf thu eurooop roinad ho tnaa and
casting a look Of extreme compassion AT the
suffering girl, directing that a consultation
should be called that afternoon, and passed to
the next patient.
When they had left the ward. went to the
bed whereon lay my once familiar schoolmatc.
As soon as she saw me she burst into tears and
turned her head away while her mother, rising
bent over her. and they kept together.
was deeply moved could not dare to ask
them how il had happcned: but told them
tha, from my residents in the hospital. could
be Of any assistance to them, they were heart
lily welcome to it. They both thanked me, and
l withdrew: indeed the sceno was such hat.
new as was to hospital life, was altogether
unable to bear II.
That afternoon the consultation was held
an the decision YVES AMPUfsTIoN!
When it was announced Jhne turned deadly
pale. while the cold sweat IKE out anew upon
her face, and low moan was groaned ont Bit
terly from her bosom. Thet widow clasped
her hands and looked upward, trembling like
the leaf of a tree.
The hospital at was laAgc, dark, edi :
fec, consisting of two parts joined together like
the letter L. II was several stories high, and
over The centre of its roof arose &grcat glass
dome. which formed tho operating, ,ihcatre.-
This situation was chosen, rs much with the
view Of obtaining the best possible light. as
of preventing the cries of patients reaching
tho ears of their fellow unfoytunhtes in tho
wards or of the public in the streets. 1t was
reached by series of wide stone stairs, with
long lobbies and passages leading to diff
fercnt parts Of tho building In the interior
was a circular place with on area in the centre
of a similar shape with tiers of seats rising all
round, one above another. up 10 considera-
bic height. A circle OF massive pillars snppor-
led the dome, which was very lofty. and round
about the cornicc. over these. we're number
of medallions bearing representations Of figures
dancing playing on Tyres, &c.-not very suita-
BILE ornaments certainly, for place of such a
description. II also contained on one side, q
pulpit and a clerks desk, for IL served likewise
as a chapel for the patients on Sunday. In tho
centro Of the area, which was laid with painted
canvass. stood tho operation table. q most stri-
king thing to look at. II appeared very heavy
and strong was covered with dark leather, and
had dispersed about il n quantity of iron ma
chinery, which gave rise to the most revolving
ideas in the mind.
1t was now two o'clock in tho afternoon
The place was already nearly filled by the med
ical gentlemen, their clerks and, pupils. and
who felt very strongly. as it was the iirst inn
port operation had ever seen, took up my po-
stion close TO one of the pillars that supported
the roof We,waited for somc time. when the
folding doors were thrown open, and we saw
Jane borne in Wy the dresscrs and nurses. As
soon ns she saw the crowd of spect0tors-
many of them mere boys-the flush Of pain
forsook her checks, and she became pale as
her dress; but on tho instant, as if flood gate
at her heart had been thrown open. red flush
eushcd over her face and neck completely suf
fusing them. She was placed on the table,
whose machinery being Slightly put in motion
Immediately placed her in the most suitable
and safe posit1 But who is it that stands
beside her head Whispering indearment to her
and fondly coressing her fair brow. whereon
tho sweat now glistens in damond-lik drops?
1t is her mother; the mother who in her fren-
w, prayed Heaven that this might bcfa her.
How changed. how dreadfully prayed upon,
looks that poor, woc-strickeu parent now!
But the tonrniquet had been applied. and
tho surgeon after short examination. to be
suro of his course, motions with his head 10 a
tall young man who stands apart. What is
that they passed under tho table. glancing for
a moment. clear, cold, and metallic? II is tho
Knife! 1t was quickly handed. but she saw it
and her frame made convnlsve spring that
shook the iron work Of tho hideons table while
an expression seized her face of mortal fear
and horror. My eyes were now fixed immovc-
ably on the operator. Balancing the long,
sword.like instrument in his hand for n mo-
ment, he struck il into the milk-white flesh Of
the noble limb, transfixing it completely, and
cutting rapidly to tho surface. Thereupon the
red blood splasbed upon the floor, and thero
shot up into the echong concave Of the lofty
dome a protracted shriek-the wild oh MY
Godr Of agony unindurable By human spirit.
1t was followed by succession of short. snd-
den. exhausted gssps, like efforts to catch at