The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1854-05-17
A NIGHT IN THE LIFE OF A PHysI-
CLAN.

n a.
was sitting doing in my chair, when
a tremendous knocking was heard at my
door. The servant opened il, when
man rushed in, in The widest disorder.
"Fer Gods sake, doctor" said he,
"come with me it's Of life or death. A
young girl has stabbed herself; she isbleed.
ing 10 death. One thousand dollars ifyou
save her! Come. oh, do not delayH and
he rushed towards me, as il to drag me
along.
hurried away with him snaiching my
instruments from the table as ! passed i.
think never before saw such conyulsiys
grief as this mans face expressed. He was
a handsome man, with one Of those faces
the ladies' admire-jet black hair, cluster
ing in waving curls over white forehead.
The lower par, Of his otherwise feminine
features was relieved by deep, jet black
beard. .,.,..
| asked him for the particulars Of the
case.
"Docior," said he. "make haste. ]
shall go mad. Why, would give every
drop of blood in this body 10 save one drop
of hers. Oh, God /" said he, "preserVe
my reason. She stabbed herself before |
could prevent her. Make haste, doctor
oh, my God my God!"
| We reached the house. On satin
couch, in a splendid room--the rich Tur-
KEY carpet covered with her blood lay a
young girl. | think never saw such a
beautiful creature. Even with paled
counenance and bloodless lips. she was
more of heaven than earth. What she
was when the roses played on her downy
cheeks, | could fancy.
There was deep wound over the heart
and it was quite evident tina, the blow had
been given with right gond will. On the
floor, covered with blood, lay the weapon
Ia sigh, Damascene dagger. the handle
richly set with pearls, strongly III up with
The reflection Of The blood stained ivory.
! was too late! Alas, the life blood wa'
slowly dropping away. That master
piece of creation was soon to be cold ant
inanimaie. She slowly opened her eyes
and fixed them with dying love upon The
young man who had summoned me tc
this scene of death.
"Sdney," she said, "Siduey I am dy'
ing. NV own Sidaey, | could not ll't
neglected, | told you would love you til
death closed upon his victim J"
My companion sa, for some tmc strange
g ly staring at the lifeless form on the couch
: | perceived that reason was totlerlng o.
its foundation. was fascinated by hi
: strange look. At last went up to him
E "Sir," said |, "she is no more. Deaf
$ has released her from her troubles"
i "Dcad did you say she is dead. doc
$ tori" said he, with strange and coriou
e stare at me. "Ah, and you have murdere
n her." yelled tho madman--lor such i
n was now. "You have m1rdrrrd her, an
e l-I-shall murder you. All! ah! it wi
d be rare SPORT" B4i"re | coull prcver
!. him, he had picked up the dagger. "Yes,
}. said lie. with yell, II will murder yo
: with her dagger. | will stab you in III
e same place. Oh! i, with be rare sport
$ see you groan and struggle like she did
s All all !" and he made one bound at me
o Now this was far from pleasant. Ia la
IS it was a very awkward fix to be in.
Is did not know how 10 act. The madma
t. made grab at me, but fortunately ell
T. ded his grasp, and thinking it better
% fight in the dark, seized the lamp ar
cast it on The floor. The room was no
dark. The madman sci up a terrible yelln
and could hear him lock the door al
;;::;:: s: !; ; 4: j; j. !; !: !; {. 4; i; f
III she did"
g felt my courage rise wik the eme
e. gency. half determined tohy s,rugg
81 with him, but knew the increas,
h. strength that the insane possess. ard
81 thought i, scarcely prudent. WHAT'S |R''
lie do! mus, do something. 1t Won
N soon DO daylight, when should again !
d. in his power. felt (orsome weapon wi
II which TO defend yself, and as luck wou
u have it, found heavy dumb bell in Il
c. corner where lay concealed. Present.
as heard The madman slowly searching I
n. me; | raised the dumb bell, "may o.
'al forgive me-" said |; it descended, and
RS was free. The mailman lay stunned
IL the floor rushed to the door smash
IS in the lock with the heavy mosal, and rus
no ed down stairs. Presently. The hou
"; was all in commo,ion. Oh, what seer
OF tho girl dead in pool Of blood--'he IN
ls' insensible on the floor, with the dagg
ne clnched in his hand. blcd him, and
'e' slowly recovered. But reason nevef
We turned. lie is a madman 10 this day.
rd never heard the history Of my patient
la' ha, night. They were strangers in
house. never shall forge, 'ha. nigh
adventure.