Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-12-17
THE DOCTORS BRIDE.
BY EMERSON BENNETT.

EMERSON BENNETT.
eve Doctors sometimes meet with strange
adventures" once said to distinguished
macy.
ssI have often thought: 1 replied, 'sthat the
secret history of some of your profession if
written out in detail, would make work OF
thrilling interest,"
ssI do not know that I exactly agree with you
in regard to detail,'' rejoined my friend; s'for
we medical men, like every one else, meet
with great deal that is common place, and
therefore not worthy of being recorded but
grant US the privilege of you novelists, to Sc
lect our characters and scenes, and work them
:nto kind of plot, with 4 striking denouemeHt,
and doubt not many of us could give you
romance of real life, comprising only what we
have seen, which would equal, if not surpass,
anything you ever met with in the way of fic-
tion. Bye the bye, believe l never told you
of the most strange and romantic adventure
of my life RS
ssYou never told ME of any of your adyen-
lures, Doctor,'' 1 replied ssbut if you have
story to tell, you will find me an eager listen
err
.Very well, then, as have few minutes to
spare will tell you one more wildly romantic,
more Incredibly remarkable, if may so speak,
than you probably ever found in work of
fiction" n
esTwenty-five years ago. pursued the Docs
tor, 81 entered the medical College at F.,
as a student / was then young, inexperienc7
ed, and inclined to be-timid and sentimental /;
and we'll do | remember the horror l expert
enced, when one of the senior students, under
pretence of showing me the beauties of the in
stitution, suddenly thrust me into the disscct-
ing room, among several dead bodies, and
closed the door upon me nor do forget how
many screeches of terror, and prayers Of re-
lease from the awful place, made me the laugh
ing stock of my older companions.
eRidicule is hard thing to bear the cow
ard t~comes brave to escape it, and the brave
man fears it more than he would belching
cannon. 1 suffered from it till 1 could bear it
no more; and wrought up to pitch of despe-
ration, demanded to know what rmight do
10 redeem my character and gain an honorable
footing among my fellow students.
81 will tell you,'' said one, his eyes spark
ling with mischief; '.if you will go at the mid
night hour, and dig up a subject, and take it
to your room and remain alone with it till
morning, we viii let you off, and never say an
other word about your womanly fright"
L shuddered, it was fearful alternative, but
it seemed less terrible to suffer all the horrors
that might be concentrated into single night
than to bear, day after day, the jeers of my
companions.
seWhere shall go and when ?'' was my
timid inquiry, and the very thought of such an
adventure made my blood run cold.
ssTo the Eastern Cemetry tonight, at II o.
clock, replied my tormcntor, fixing his keen,
black eyes upon me, and allowing his thin
lips to curl with smile of contempt. ''But
what is the use of asking such a coward as
you to perform such a manly feat ?'' he added
deridingly.
His words stung me to the quick; and with
out further reflection, and scarcely aware OF
what l was saying, re.oined, boldly:
81 am no coward, sir, as 1 will prove to you
by performing what you call manly feat"
eYou will GO 20 he asked quickly.
ssI wili.''
ssBravely said, my lad!" he reJoined, IN Z
tone of approval, and changing his expression
of contempt for one of surprise and admlra
tion. ssDo this Morris, and the first who In
suits you afterward makes an enemy OF me.
Again felt cold shudder pass through
my frame, at the thought of what was Deiof'
me, but I had accepted his challenge in thu
presence of many witnesses-for this CONVEX
sation occurred as we were leaving the nan
after listening to an evening lecture-and
was resolved to make my word good, should
even COST my life; in fact, knew l could no
do otherwise now, without the risk OF beinl
driven in disgrace from the college.
l should here observe, that in those day
there were no professional resurrectionists
and as twas absolutely necessary to have sub