The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-02-27

He was an old man, Of short stature,
whose age it was difficult TO divine His
face, full and rosy, over which it was evi-
dent razor had never passed, had some
thing about it plump and delicate. Be-
meath brow slightly furrowed with wrin-
kles, he had well-forncd aouilne nose and
a small mouth. His hands and feet were
In proportion to his diminutive size. In his
blue eyes-in his physiognomy-in his ges-
tures-there was timidity, sweetness and
exquisite goodness. lie carried in his hand
stout cane, and he was dressed in deep
black. When he bowed he exposed large
tonsure-it was that Of priest.
DuPuytren regarded him with cold and
icy look.
"What is the matter with you 7" said he
harshly.
doctor" replied the priest mildly, 81
ask permission to sit down. My poor legs
are rather old. Two years ago had a
swelling in my neck. The medical officer
OF my village Il am cure of D., near
Ncmours) told me at first it was of no con-
sequence, but it went on increasing, and at
the end of four months an absccss opened
itself kept my bed a long time without
it healing up, and then I was obliged to get
up, for have to serve four villages, and"-
"Show me your neck"
1t is true" continued the old man, obey
ing him, "that these brave people offered to
congregate in one of the villages every Sun
day in order to hear mass, but they work
very hard during the week, and have only
that day to rest. I thought to myself it is
not right that everybody should inconveni-
ence himself for me. And then, YOU know,
there are first communions, catec hsms, &c.
His lordship the bishop at last sent me a
conyfere to assist me. Then my parishion-
ers told ME to come to Paris to consult YOU.
l was sometime deciding, because travelling
costs good deal of money, and there are
a great many poor people in my parishes,
but they insisted upon it, and obcycd.-
llerc is my disease, Doctor, continued he,
extending his neck
Dupuytrcn examined it for long time.
The neck of the invalid presented hole
more than an inch in diameter and very
deep. 1t was an abscess of the srbmaxllarv
gland, complicated with an ancurism of the
caroted artery. The wound was gangrencd
| in several places, and the case was of so
grave character that Dupuytren was as
tonislied that the invalid could stand before
him.
He wi1"red the lips of the wound in or
der to scrutinze it more closely, and exam
incd the ncighhoring parts with pressure
sufficiently painful to cause any one to faint
away. The patient did not even trcmbIc.-
When the examination was ended, Dupuy-
.ren brusque turned the head that lie had
between his two hands, and said with a sin
lister voice:
We'll, Monsieur rAbbc, You must die ~
The Able picked up his linen, and began
to tie up his neck, without saying word.
Dupuytren fixed his eyes upon him all the
time. When he had finished binding up
his wound, the priest drew from his pocket
five franc piece, enveloped in paper, and
put it on the chimney piece.
doctor, l am not rich, aud my poor are
very poor" said he, with gentle smile, sand
forgive me, if | cannot pay better fee for
a. consultation with DR.. Dupuytren. am
Very glad ] have seen you Shall at least
be prepared for what awaits me. "Per-
haps," continued he with extreme sweetness,
you might have announced this great news
to me with little more precaution. | am
sixty-tivc years old, and even at my age we
sometimes hold on strongly to life; but you
have not surprised me, for some time past
have waited for this moment. Adieu, Doc
tor; 60 to die in my own parish.
And he left the room.
Dupuytren remained pensivc for few
moments This soul Of iron, this genius of
power was broken like fragile glass, by a
lew simple words from poor old nan,
whom he had held weak and infirm between
his large hands, and with whom he thought
to divert himself. In that weak and suffer
ing body, he met with heart firmer than
his own-a will more energetic than lis.
lie had found some one stronger than him
self.
lie suddenly rushed to the staircase, per-
haps he did not wish to confess himself con-
quered. The little priest was slowly:de-
scending the stairs, supporting himself by
the balustrade.
"Mensicur I Able, will you come up
again?"
The Able re-ascended the stairs.
''Tbcre is, perhaps, a means to save YOU,
you will allow me to operate" s.
"Oh, Doctor" said the Able, relieving
himself with come vivacity of his cane and
hat, Il came to Paris for that purpose. Or
crate, operate, as much as you like"
But perhaps it will be useless attempt
and the operation will be long and pain.
fu!."
"Operate, operate Doctor, will endure
all that is necessary. My poor Pensioners
will be 80 happy!'
"WelI you must enter4the Hotel Deu
Sale sainte Agnes. You will BE quite con,
Portable there, and the Sisters will not allow
you to want for anything. You must resi-
this evening and to.morrow--the day af
Iter-Ln r. T..
"gbat is enough Doctor, I thank YOU
.DupuytIen traced a few words on piece
of paper, and gave it to the priest. The
Abbe soon after presented himself at the
hospital where. he was Immediately installed
in a little bed, furnished with white cover.
lids. Everybody paid attention to lis wants
Il The !ittleepriest did not know how to thank
them sufficiently. :
Two days afterwards the five or six han,
dred pupilss who every day followed their