Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-07-06
JAmEo OhO OT1Eh.
HARDIN COUNTY, June go, 1854.
A NIGHT IN THE LIFE OF A PHYSI-
CLAN

SA@A@'.
1 was sitting dosing in my easy chair,
when a tremendous knocking was heard
at the door. The servant opened it,
when a man rushed in, in the widest
disorder.
For Gods sake, doctor, said he,
come with me, it's case of life and
death. A young giI has stabbed her.
solf. she is bleeding to death. One
thousand dollars to save herl Come, oh,
do not delay!' and he rushed toward me
as if to drag me along.
l hurried away with him, snatched
my instruments from the table as l pass
ed it. l think 1 never saw before such
a convulsive grief as this mans face ex-
pressed.
He was handsome man with one Of
those faces the ladies admire, Jet black
hair, clustering in waving curls over a
white forehead. The lower part of his
other feminine features was relieved by
a deep jet black beard. 1 asked him
the particulars of the case.
Doctor said he, make haste. !
shall go mad. Why, l would give eve-
ry drop of blood in this body to save one
of hers. Oh, God!' said he, preserve
my reason. She stabbed herself be-
fore l could prevent hei. Make haste.
Oh, my Godl my God!'
We reached the house. On satin
couch, in a splendid room, the rich Tur-
key carpet covered with blood, lay a
young girl. think never saw such a
beautiful creature. Even with pallid
countenance and bloodless lips, she was
more of heaven than earth. What she
was when the rose played on her downy
cheeks l could not fancy.
There was a deep wound over the
heart, and it was quite evident that the
blow had been given with right good
will. On the floor, covered with blood
lay the weapon-a slight Damascent
dagger, the handle richly set with
pearls, strongly lit up with the reflection
from the blood-stained ivory.
was too late! Alas, the life blood was
slowly dropping away. The master
piece of creation was soon to be cold and
inanimate. She slowly opened her eyes
and fixed them with dying love upon
the young man who had summoned me
to this scene of death.
Sidney she said, Sidney, am dy.
ing. Ny own Sidney, l could not live
neglected. told you would love you
to death. Kiss me, Sidney She sank
back, and death closed over his victim.
Ny companion sat for some time
strangely staring at the lifeless form on
the couch. I could perceive that rea-
son was tottering on its foundation.
was facinated by his strange look. AT
last went to him. Sir said l, she
is no more; Death has released her
from her troubles
Death! did you say she is dead, doc
tor?' said he with a strange and curious
look at me. 'Ah, you have murdered
her. yelled the madman-for such he
was now. You have murdered her,
and II shall murder you. Ali ahl
it will be rare sport Before could
prevent him. he had picked up the dag
ger. L will stab you in the same place.
Oh, it will be rare sport to see you groan
and struggle ike she did. Ah!' and he
made a bound at me. Now this was
far from pleasant. In fact, it was very
awkward fix to be in. did not know
how to act. The madman made grab
at me, but fortunately l eluded his
grasp, and thinking it better to fight in
the dark, I seized the light and cast il
on the floor. The room was now dark.
The msdman set up terrific yelling,
and l co,iiaa hear him lock the door and
put the key in his pocket, while he kept
muttering, 4 will kill bin, Oh, it will
be rare sport to see him die like she
did,
/ felt my courage rise with the emer-
pency. ] half determined to have q
Struggle with him. but knew the m
creased strength that the insane possess,
and l thoughtit scarcely prudent: What
should l do? must do something. 1t