The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-07-14
aNistfIlantous.
THE YELLED PORTRAlT.
FROM THE G-RMAN.

| GEN examining, the other day, the
81 journal of an old physician, one of
90 my most esteemed ancestors, / came
= across the following singular story.
The manuscript was quite yellow and ia
ded, and my Imagination had often to
supply a part of sentence; but 1 will
give it as it was originally written, as
nearly as possible.
august 18Th, 1748.-Last night I was
called to the death bed of one of my first
patrons. and the visit, with its strange,
closing scene, has called up host of rec
objections. l can scarcely write, my mind
is so impressed with wonder and awe.
Death, the great revealer, has passed
within my sight, and opened a strange
history to my view.
Fifteen years ago, just graduated from
my medical studies, l removed to the
country. was an entire stranger in the
place, but by my natural frankness of
manner l trusted to gain friends, and by
my attentions and skill I hoped to give
satisfaction to my patrons. [ took q
room in the house of widow lady who
had several other boarders. These were
mostly young men like myself, and made
for me a most congeuial circle of ac-
quaintance. Ha
had been there six weeks, when ono
day as I was going down to the supper
table, door in the corridor, near the
stair case, suddenly opened, and the land
lady beckoned to me. Wondering what
she could wish, l turned and entered the
chamber. t
"Miss Ross is unwell to night, and I
have persuaded her to call you," said my
landlady; and without farther introduce
ton she led me TO a sofa at the end of
the room, on which lady was reclining,
wrapped in black velvet shawl. | was
much surprised; for, though I had staid
in the house, waiting for business ever
since my arrival, | was until how igno-
rant that the widow had lady boarder.
| took a chair by her, and while CUES
tioning her as to her sym ptoms, scrutini-
zed with much curiosity, her personal
appearance.
She was tall, pale woman, of about
forty, as l should judge, and had evil
IDENTIFY, in her youth, been very beautiful.
Though thin and faded, her complexion
was of pure marble whteness, and her
features were fine and regular. Her
eyes were black and piercing, with a
slightly disagreeable expression, so that |
did not like to meet them. They inIica-
ted passionate temperament, while her
full, firm lips indicated an equally strong
will and ungovernable pride. She wore
mourning garments, but they were very
rich, and the single ring which glittered
on her hand was valuable diamond.
The room, too, was elegantly furnished,
and the walls were hung with paintings.
discovered that Miss Ross as my land
lady called her, was threatened with
fever and l gave her q potion, which I
had confidence in as speedy relief. l
sat a few moments by her, then rose te
bid her good evening; for her manner of
naughty reserve did not invite to socia-
bility. AS I turned to leave the room,
she called me back.
"You will make no mention of this
visit, either in this house or elsew here"
she said, in tone less of request than
command, and fancied that something
like flush rose to her checks as she fixed
her piercing eyes on me.
Certainly not if such is your wish,
1 replied, and paused a moment half
expecting to hear an explanation of this
unusual request.
81 will trust you DIR. Ware. Come
again tomorrow" she said, and with a
motion of her hand she babe me good
night,
This brief visit and the parting injunc-
ton of my patient strangely haunted my
imagination; and when | sat down to the
table with my fellow boarders, longed
to ask if any of them had seen the mys-
terious lady. But my promise restrained
me; though even when | went to call on
sweet Alice Hudson. as was my custom
of an evening, that pale, proud face would
constantly fit before my fancy. Alice
noticed my moodiness, and played her
gayest songs for my amusement; but not
even with her could I wholly forget the
strange influence.
The next day l went at the same hour
to visit my patient. tapped at the door,
and she babe me enter. She was sitting