Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-05-03
For the Hannibal Journal.
A Chapter Of My Life,
ny A PHYSICIAN.

large family, tut in circumstances 10 confer
on each child 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 Institute
! spent 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, lS42, made
my arrangements to travel west Isturted
alone, save one humble companion in the
form Of 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 a
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 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 OIL nv horse
travelling through the fertile, but sparsely
settled counties Of northern Missouri. On
the afternoon oil a warm day, stopped at
the newly made house Of farmer TO en-
iUire how far it was to TIE next house
on ---r road. Thinking could easily
reach it before nightfall, rode very leisure.
"; but, as emerged from beautiful piece
OF timbered land upon a far spread prairie,
| found that Time had far outstipped me
in his ride. l spoke few inspiring words
to Charlie, but he seemed restless and unu.
sualy faligued.
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 circumstances, and finally
turned his head sharply as ii he would bite.
SPrang from my saddle, tie rein in my
hand was drawn forth with sudden violence,
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 mo
exceedingly. With the most acute feeling
OF terror, recalled every Iremonitory
| sign Of which | had ever heard. Every
thing that could call to mind served 10
strengthen the conviction that nv horse
was affected by hydrophoba. Even now |
cannot remember the awful moments of
that dark night without feeling the Geld
drops collect on my forehead, and expert.
encing an irrepressible shudder. Alone
upon the prairie, far fiom q house, sur.
rounded by Egyptian darkness, | felt nv
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 10 recall light that, like dim star.
had appeared in the distance. | strained
my eyes; it was still glimmering. wits.
tied to Carlo, who came bounding to nv
side From the fatigue and excitement I
would gladly have sunk amid the tall prai-
rie grass, but making my bed with snakes
and viPers seemed but the prelude 10 rest
from which could never awake. So a.
rousing every energy and bracing my
wearied limbs l toiled on on on until
the glad and welcome sound of dogs bark
ing greeted my ears. Finally, succeeded
in reaching what found TO be fence, and
calling as loud as could was responded to.
by pleasant voice, enduring IL were lost