Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-07-29
A Night In the Life of a Physician.

A Night In the Life of "a Physician.
Twas sitting in my chair, when tremendous
knocking was heard at my door. The servant
opened it, when man rushed in in the widest
disorder.
"For Gods sake, DOCTOR" said he, "come
with me. 1t is case Of life and death! One
thousand dollars if you save her Come! oh.
do not delay" and he rushed toward me to
drag me along.
| hurried away with him. snatching my in.
struments from the table as passed it. Think
\ never saw before such convulsve grief as this
man, with one of those faces the ladies gene
rally admire, jet black hair. clustering in wavy
curls over a white forehead. The lowe. part o.
his otherwise feminine features was relieved
by deep jet black beard.
asked him the particulars of the case
"Doctor," said he, SNAKE haste. shall 90
| mad. Why would give every drop of blood
in this body to save a drop of hers. Oh God"
said he, "preserve my reason She stabbed
herself before could prevent her Make haste,
doctor; oh, my God my Gods'
We reached the house. On satin couch, in
splendid room, the rich Turkey carpet covered
with blood, lay young girl. think never
saw such beautiful creature. Even with pal
lid countenance, and bloodless lips, she was
more of heaven than of earth. What she was
when the roses played on her downy cheek, I
could only fancy.
There was deep wound over her heart, and
it was quite evident that the blow had been
given with a right good will. On the floor.
covered with blood lay the weapon-a slight
Damascus dagger, the handle richly set with
pearls, strongly lit up with the reflection from
the bIood-stained ivory.
/ was too late! Alas, the life.blood was
slowly dropping away. That masterpiece 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 dying.
My own Sidney, could not live neglected.
told you would love you till death. Kiss me,
Sidney" She sank back, and death closed
upon his victim. g.
Ny companion sat for some time strangely
staring at the lifeless form upon the couch.
could perceive that reason was tottering upon
its foundation. was fascinated by his strange
look. At last went upto him. "Sir," / said.
" she is no more. Death has released her of
her troubles"
"Dead! did you say she was dead, doctor p
he said with strange and curious stare at me.
"Ah, you have murdered herr" yelled the mad
man, for such he was now. ..-...
sYou have murdered her, and shall murder
you. All! All! it will be rare sport" Before
could prevent him, he picked up the dagger.
" Yes" said he with yell, I" | will stab yoa in
the same place. Oh, it will be rare sport to
hear you groan and struggle like she did. All!
ah % and he made bound at me.
Now this was far from pleasant. In fact it
was very awkward position to be in. did
not know how to act. The madman made a
grab at nee, but fortunately eluded bis grasp.
and thinking it better to fight in the dark. I
seized the lamp and threw it on the floor. The
room was now dark. The madman set up
terrific yelling and could hear him lock the
door and put the key in his pocket, while he
kept muttering, II will kill him, will kill him.
Oh, it will be rare sport to see him die like she
did"
felt my courage rise with the emergency.
felt determined to try struggle with him but
l knew the increased strength that the insane
possess, and thought it scarcely prudent.
What should l do! must do something. 1t
would soon be daylight, when would again be
in his power. felt for some weapon with
which to defend myself and as luck would
have il, found heavy dQmb~bell in the corner
where lay concealed. Presently | heard the
madman slowly searching for me; it descended,
and was free. The madman lay stunned on
the floor. Irushed to the door, smashed in the
lock with the heavy metal, and rushed down
stairs. Presently the house was all in com.
motion. Oh (! what seene-the girl dead in
a pool Of blood, the man insens6ie on the
floor, with the dagger firmly clutched in his
Nd I'D nd ho or iy rnh
But reason never returned He is n madman
to this day. never heard the history Of my
patients of that night They We're strangers
in the house. l never shall forget that nights
adventure.