, 1859-02-24
[W1itten for the Press 4nd Trlaune.J
a DOCTORS STORY,

In tlc lifetime Of most mcu there are ex-
p-rences which seem like revelation Of
woe-~domestic tragedies whose remembrance,
even when years have fled, makes their actors
shudder aid turn pale. The following story
is one of th.sc, and however strange aud ter
rible its incidents may appear, tile reader is
assured that they are strictly and literally
true. The slightest details Of tile period to
which refer were too deeply Stamped upon
my m"mory ever to be forgotten.
Many years ago, while attending lectures at
celebrated medical college in Philadelphia,
I became acquainted with young man
whose brilliant qualities and melancholy fate
produced upon my mind powerful impress
slon. Ills name was Charles Henry Wilson,
and lis father was one Of the richest Of The
merchant princes ia that wealthy city. a
slrewd o1d man, who lad seen much Of life's
wisdom and folly; he WIS determined that
his son should not lend an existence Of idle
and inglorious easc. In this decision Henry
gladly acquicsccd, and when his classical edu-
cation was completed, he chose the medical
profession as his field of future effort. He
was somewhat younger than myself, and his
first year in college finished my coufse, but
the acquaintance which was formed between
US quickly ripencd into intimacy. The ma-
lurity Of lis miud far oyerbalaucel u slight
difference in aye. As recall The splendid
Intellectual and physical advantages be pos
scasel, / am in doubt whether he was not
then, at the age Of twcnty-thrce, the most
perfect specimen Of man I ever bcheld.
His form was tall aud muscular. His broad
| and slightly shopping shoulders supported
head beautiful as Apollo's. Hair of raTcn
blacknesa shndowed 4 magnificent brow !; and
bis piercing luk eyes would have given
look Of severity 10 his features, Ind they not
been soltcncl by the sweetness Of q mouth
around which gentle smile seemed constant
1y playing. His voice vas rich and musical,
and bis manners possessed j fascination which
few could resist. In disposition he united a
somewhat cold mud reserved demeanor to
the tenderness and simplicity Of child. A
feminine delicacy Of perception was united in
him With fine intellect and an indomitable
Will Fitm aud uuylclllpg wherever prlnci-
pie wns involved, his proud heart could be
swayed by the slightest word OF one whom lie
loved.
! Il WAS NOT difficult to admire such man,
aud speedily felt for him degree Of inter-
est, for which, perhaps, could scarcely nc.
! couut. A deep and lasting friendship result
ed from our first casual meetings, aud soon
| we were constantly together. Al first sighr,
there seemed little in common between the
rich banker's son and the poor student. whose
daily instruction WAS bought by daily labor ];
bu, the lryity aud coarseuess Of many Of his
companions disguised him, aud il my stu1i-
ous aud serious lite be found something in
sympathy With his own deep aud earnest na-
lure.
have said that be possessed an indomita.
bic will. This was true Yet once he fal-
tered. For ouce he was unable to summon
sufficient resolution to cnier tue Dissect'ns
Room his excited Imagination pictured it as
in abotlc ot horror; aud it may he loub' ell
: whether the scenes his funcy drew could bt
.sorsc than the reality. we'll remember The
sckcning feeling that came orer ME the lirs1
, time stood upon the threshold Of that aoart
mcut, where death was displayed in all it,
hileousncss, without its dignity. A dcnst
cloud of tobacco smoke filled tue apartment
through which the figures Of the students
clothed in solemn black, looked dim ami
ehostly. A long line Of narrow tables wer'
: covered with ''suljects' prepared for The dis
sectiag knife, save that here and there The,
had been pushed aside to make room for sur
uical instruments, or mugs Of beer, from
which latter'the operators we're freely drink
ing. The hall, Which WIS bare and dima,
lirbtcd. resouudrd with coarsa jests and boil
= low Laughter. The Rir was hot and stidioe
:, md upun evergthing there rested an odo
sllcl ~ Dante describes as coming up fror
4 the last ward ef Malebolge. twas a5ng er
became accustomed to scenes like these
- | but habit, which is tttwics nature" inall
% euabed me to regard them with indifference
I" This pilch, however, my friend never reached
To the las. be entered thu. room with
- shrinking dread, which it required all
tirmne.s to ovctcou1e. Often would his as
flash and Lis frame t1emb]c while listening
= the rl1'ald jeets so o1t repeated, or ~itnessiu
the Wanton dcseeration Of the SOULS earthl
e temple. Often have seen him cover, vii
re: rererent hands, tho stark limbs Of some chi
81 Of SORROW, for whose dishonorcd form Il
4: grave Itself was not resting place.
IT, Know not when or how first becan
= aware That be loved Geraldine Aubrey vii
all tho passionate devotion Of bis earnest n
I, turc, aud that Ills love Was returned. 1t r.
no. long alter We met, for he could ecarce
1orbcar to speak Of bis great happine!
.7k aud mauy M hour have I spent in |
Il, tcpug to her praises. which hc pour
into MY car with an elc4ucnce proceedi
from passion 50 intense that it seemed Ii
odosatlon. When ct last saw her, cou
not but acknowledge that even bis burni
r., words fell short Of the reality. It is imp
y sib1e to describe her! The memory of b
= angel face comes back to me like q half-f
N gotten dream, or strain Of exquisite nu
t.. floating over distant waters. 4 form Of fao
0N tic tie rerq soni Of love seemed hreaihioc.
\. shrined q soul Is pure rs ever dwelt With
= b4man bosom. She was woman wor
Vt The love Of any man a woman for xh
seoIto 4ha xna,, suAn Idnlfzad har .uould nil