The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-12-09

of oxygen and nitrogen. In week this
acquaiDtanceship had iipened into a sim
cere friendship.
| One morning, I was just getting up,
when all three Of them burst into my
room.
"Good morning, Bopjil, how are yeu
mon chere?" said Alfred ave have
come to tell you some news; you know
that Courade was executed yesterday
we'll, his body has been sent to our school"
/ professed to be delighted to hear it,
as was great believer in phrenology at
that time, and was very glad to have the
opportunity of examining the head of so
great a criminal. ae'~
"Well, fer my part. I could never look
upon him without horror,p said Earnest
"There is something very repugnant to
me in the sight of dead person, and that
repugnance would be increased tenfold in
his case.''
"You must endeavor to overcome this
feeling" replied Jean, "or you will never
make good surgeon"
81 don't know kow that may be-" an
swered Earnest, "but have often tried
to overcome this horror of the dead, but
it seems to increase upon ne rather than
otherwise"
because you give way to it, /" said AL
fred.
"Pshawl my dear fellow" said I, sit
is only matter of education. l was
just as bad as you at one time, but have
got all over tina: feeling now"
"Oh, yes, we know you cold-blooded
Englishmen can do anything, nothing has
any effect on you," replied Earnest, good
humoredly, "you see, you are not SO 6ne-
ly organized as we are"
"Stuff," replied, II repeat it, it is
only matter of education. Why, after
the first week in a dissscting room you
couldn't frighten me with all the dead
bodies in the world"
But great criminal like this" said
Earnest.
"What differ ence does it make who it
is? look at the matter in philosophical
point of view. What are the ultimate
elements of organized bodies3--car bon,
hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen,s'--zs
"For heavens sake don't give us
chemical lecture this morning" inter
rupted Jean, 1--WE have enough of that at
college"
81 was about to observe" I continued
"that I look upon all deceased persons as
only so much carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen
and oxygen"
81 should like to see your philosophy
put to the test,'' said Alfred.
"With all my heart" 1 replied.
"Well row." said Earnest "I know
what you dare not do ?"
"What ?"
"You Care not sit up all night with
Courade's body"
"Alone," added Alfred.
"Pshaw !" replied, it would be no
fear of the dead that would restrain me,
but only the discomfort of sitting up all
night with so silent a companion.
"You are creeping out of it now," said
Earnest, sit is my belief you are just as
much afraid as am"
To tell the truth; had not the least
fear in the world-and L felt little
piqued at Earnest's supposition.
81 tell you what 1 will do" I replied
II will bet you all champagne supper
that will sit up all night with this MUIR
derer's corpse"
agreed r' they replied simultaneous
ly.
"When shall it come off |" I asked.
"To might" replied Alfred. "I am
good friends with the porter, Andre-and
he will let US have the key of the dead
house. What do you say, said he, ad-
dressing me-"do you want to draw back
or shall 60 and make it all right
with Andre ?"
81 am quite ready when you please"
l answered with some dignity.
We then concluded an agreement in
student fashion, which set forth that I,
BonjI Simhawl, did thereby agree that
would remain alone in the dead house at
tached to the Ecole de Medicine with
the body eff the late murderer, Courade,
from ten o'clock at night till six the next
morning. That 1 was to be allowed
cigars, fire in the stove, and pitcher
of water, but no stimulating drinks. If
I did not remain in the room the time
specified was to forfeit the price of
champagne supper. If, on the other
hand, fulfilled the conditions, each of
my friends were to pay for a champagne
supper. This agreement was duly signed,
sealed and delivered.
1 was SO certain of winning my bet,
that during the day forgot all about it,
and it was only at seven o'clock in the
evening that it was recalled to my mind