The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-08-14
A PHYSICIANS "REMINISCENCES
ny WALTER DASFoRTH.

1oE-, then Ielter was put iuto my nanus Dsai
ing in large characters on the envelope tn
words "private and confidential" and fraDke'
by SIR Graham Welburne. M. P. Itran thus
"DEAR Doc1oR,-My travelling carriage will
be at your door at ten O'Clock to-m,rrow fo
the purpose ofconveying you down to my house
about ten miles from town, where your services
will be required. Let me implore you not tc
permit any engagement short Of life or death
to prevent you from coming at the time and IN
The manner indicated. Your presence is re
qured on matters OF special Importance, and
may add Of special confidence. shall, II posi-.
bic, meet you on the road that you may be to
some extent prepared for the duties that will
await you.
I am, ETC., etc, .......
GRAHAM WELBUREE."
This communication, as the reader will I'M
agipe, threw me into q maze Of conjectures.
anticipated being introduced to some scene OF
distress, and from the special confidence intima'
ted in the baronet's note, could conceive OF
nothing but family discord as the occasion o.
it. ...
I made every arrangement, and without in
timating to my vile my destination, jumped
into the pea. green chariot and four the moment
it arrived and was presently whirled out of
town at the rate Of twelve miles an hour. |
did not meet Sir Graham, as his letter led me
to suspect. On reaching the park gates, the
reeking horses were drwn up, the groom be-
hind leaped down, opened the carriage door,
and with bow told me that the baronet wish
ed me to alight at the gates and walk up the
avenue to the house. Of course I accqlesced,
full Of amazement at the apparent mystery
which attended my movements. walked up
the long avenue, assembled the steps which led
TO the hall door, and even pushed it open with.
out encountering SOUL On ringing however,
an elderly servant appeared, and inquired re-
spectfuly "i | was the doctor" | answered
in the affirmative, and she said Sir Graham
was waiting Tor me in the adjoining room.
thought perceived something unusual in the
coun tenance and manner Of this woman as also
in the appearance Of the groom who attended,
me from town. was soon, however, in the
presence Of the baronet. The room was loly
and furnished in a style Of elegance. Busts
statues and valuable paintings graced the sides
together with noble library, containing, l
should Judge, several thousand volumes. had
merely time to cast hasty glance around me,
when Sir Graham issued from a door at the
further end of the library, and advancing to.
wards me hastily. shook my hand with cordial
ity. lie wore Powered, green velvet dressing
gown. and his shirt and writbands were turned
down 50 as to cover the sleeves. had never
seen finer figure or more expressive counte-
nance, the latter, however, was couded with
mixed expression OF sternness and anxiety.
Doctor" said he, in low tone, with con-
siderable agitation, Il have sent for you on a
most melancholy errand. l have infinite con-
fidence IN yonr experience and secresy, Of both
of which am unfortunately compelled to avail
myself"
He paused and looked full at me. bowed,
and he continued:
"You may have heard surmises about Lady
Mary and myself We have occasoned consid
erabe speculation recently, believe. / now
find that the time has arrived when must cx-'
plain all. You have met her ladyship occa-
sonally, beieve"
replied that had.
"Did you ever observe any popularity in her
Department."
looked, at loss to understand him.
ell mean, did you ever observe any thing
peculiar in the expression of her features?''
"Certainly not"
doctor. said he, in voice OF great agitation
and grasping my arm with nervous energy,
"there is no time to lose. One word will ex
plain all. It is horrible torture to me, but !
can conceal it no longer. You must be told the
truth at once. Ny wife is insane!'
He gasped rather than spoke the last word,
and instantly covered his face with b,th hands,
his whole frame shaking with agitation. We
were both silent Tor moment from amaze
ment, and he from the intensity Of his emotion.
"Do you use the word in It's LITERAL its med
ical sense?" said finally.
"Yes do. mean that am welded to a
mad woman"
implored him TO restrain his feeling. which
be finally succeeded in doing to certain extent.
Arrangements wers immediately made for me
to SEQ the unhappy Lady Mary ! visited her
in the drawing room alone, Sir Graham refused
to accompany me. conversed with her near
ly half an hour. AS far as | could judge from
appearances, the lady was as perfectly sane as
considered myself I could detect no wild
ness Of the eye, no incoherency of speech, no
popularity of dcportm'n Mt, nothing but an air
of ofanxiety. At the expiration OF the half hour
returned to the library and to the baronet.
"Well, doctor, am right or wrong in my
awful suspicious?" inquired Sir Graham, tremb
ling from head to:foot, as we stood in the bow
window Of his library.
shook my head and informed him OF the
substance Of the conversation which had passed
between us. He sighed deeply. and covered
bis eyes for moment with his hands.
SIS she ever vioient?n asked.
"No. Would to Heaven shs were. Any
thing but this dreadful monotony Of inslan-
choly madness. The dreadful conviction iorces
itself upon me that must separate from her.
I can scarcely control my feelings at the thought
the maddening thought that my sweet wife
must be banished from my bosom, from her
home, and become the inmate Of a--of a---'
Hscsased abruptly. apparently overcome by the
daeadaul suggestion. a.,t" e.aa4
"Doctor." hc continued, after few moments