The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-02-13

and pronounced that death had resultet
from disease of the heart. He, the clergy
man of the Parish, and Ellis's solicitor, wer'
all, a. my request, present at the opening o.
the will. After having disposed of MI
trifling property in legscies, the documen,
went on to request that I, whom he styles
his beloved friend, should have him decent
" buried in T-ohurchyard, and follow
in all matters connected with his intermens'
the instructions previously given TO me.
The iuterment took 'plsce without the 90
currence of anything worth recording; but
after it was over felt 90 wearied. and displr'
tied, that I resolved to take up my abode
for the night at the comfortable hotel OF
T. After dinner I was suddenly attack
ed by my old enemy-toothache and the
pain, resisted all tho usual applications, be-
came at length 30 excrutiating, that start
ing up in o sort of frenzy, I inquired for the
residence Of the best dentist in the town,
and speedily found myself in his study
Whether it was the fact Of reaction after
the rapid exercise I had taken, or the we'll
known curative inherent in the atmosphere
of o dentists house, know not, but the
pain was suffering gradually abated; and
when the operator entered, felt almost in.
clined to mako civil retreat without put
ting his skill to the test. However, on Sec
ond thoughts, considered it as well to lay
my case before him, and to try to obtain
some soothing nostrum which might stand
me instead on future occasions. l there
fore told him how had been affected, and
casually mentioned my having come long
journey that morning, and its melancholy
cause. 'Ah!' said the dentist, thoughtful
ly, you came from E-in Deyonshire.
The name of that village is associated in my
mind with curious incident which occur
red to me some three or four months since.
Now to have decided hankering, wheth-
er natural or acquired, after strange stories |;
and my curiosity being excited, begged the
dentist to have the kindness to satisfy 1t.
Seating himself opposite to me, he imme-
diately complied, and began in these words :
"Ono night, between three and four
months since, | was aroused near midnight
by lond knocking and ringing at the door.
was just about to step into my bed, and
my servants having long before retired to
their rooms, | hastily resumed my clothes,
and answered the summons. An elderly
gentleman with military air and address
entered.
There was an odd, staring look in his
eyes, but he told me in perfectly coherent
that he was suffering from dread.
full toothache, and wished to have one Of his
grinders extracted Immediately. Ofcourse,
ushered him into this room, placed him in
the patients chair, and proceeded to exam
inc his jaws. don't think / ever saw a
finer or more regular set Of teeth-not q
vestige of decay could l perceive in any Of
the one he pointed out as the
offender seemed to be perfectly free from dis
ease. However, he insisted 80 strongly on
having the tooth pulled out, declaring that
his comfort, nay, his very life, depended on
its being done, that I consented, though
most unwillingly, to do tho operation, and
in twinkling the tooth was out. Having
paid me the fee,- the patient deliberately
wrapped up his tooth, put it into his pocket,
arose, and wishing me good night, was about
to depart, when suspicion which arose in
my mind caused me suddenly to thrust a
lighted candle close to his eyes. They new
er blinked; the pupils were fixed and dis
tended in fact, to cut the story short, my
visitor was fast asleep, and in fit Of som.
nambulism had left his bed, and caused me
to extract his excellent tooth. As he still
continued in the trance. and II would have
been dangerous to arouse him suddenly, /
prevailed on him to allow me to accompany
him home. He mado his way with unerring
accuracy to the hotel; and the gates hap
pcning to be open for the reception of the
occupants of night coach, / saw him to
his room without attracting observation.
On inquiring after him next morning, I
heard that he had left by IN early convey
ance for E., in Devonshire.
l looked attentively ut the dentist; he
was tall man. dressed in black, with a
white ncck-cloth his head was large, near
ly bald. and he wore pair Of gold spcctaclcs
which had trick of slipping down to the
point of his long nose whenever he shook
his head, which was quite frequently.
Did you ever ascertain l asked, 'the
name Of your visitorT'
'Yes,' replied the dentist. HE took the
blank part Of letter from his pocket, and
tore of the corner to wrap up his tooth
the remainder he dropped on the carpet,
and it bore the address:
Capt. II. Ellis,-th Regiment,
=, Deyonshire.'
'Here then was the explanation Of my
poor friends monomania. He actually died
the victim Of somnambulism. And such
was my first adventure as executor 0fa will.