Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-11
GQ1ottester 1ailp Sun
From the Home journal.
AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY.

FROM THE HUNGARIAN.

''ReceIye Tor your mastery service my
most sincere thanks. You have laid me I'M
der real obligation to you-for the remuner-
alton on my part is small indeed, in compare
son with the mighty assistance which you have
rendered me. | will be indebted to you all
my life longw
But the surgeons estimate of tho value of
his services was wholly different; he abso-
lutely refused to accept the note for a thou
sand guldens, which still laid on the table.
The stranger persisted in leaving it, and had
passed out of the door, when, seeing the
growing dspleasure of the surgeon, he turn
ed, and begged him at all events to expend a
part of the sum for the benefit of some hospi-
tai, and hastily took his departure.
Doctor N visited his patient for few
days at the hotel where he was remaining,
until his wound had completely healed. This
was rapidly taking place. During the course
of this time the surgeon had an opportunity to
make observations, which resulted in the con-
viction that he had to deal with refined, ac-
complished man; one whose every word
evinced not only extensive information but
that knowledge of the world so agreeable
when united with superiority of mind. Not
the slightest trace of ailment, either bodily or
mental, was to be remarked after the opera
ton.
The stranger returned to his estates shortly
atterward, perfectly restored.
Three weeks had passed, when the servant
was again called upon to announce to the sur
geon the arrival of his singular patient. The
stranger, who instantly admitted, appear
ed again with bandaged arm; and so great
was his suffering, that at first glance his fea-
lures were scarcely recognizable. Sinking
into chair, before the surgeon had time to
offer him seat he stretched out his hand to
him, no longer sufficiently master of himself
to control his groans.
'tWhat has happened?" sympathizingly in
CURED the surgeon.
''The incision was not deep enough"
groaned the stranger. ''The pain has returned
burns more fercely than before. | could
not at first bring myself to trouble you again !;
! fingered, hoping that death would come and
put an end to my existence. But what |
longed for came not. The pain was, and still
remains, concentrated in this one place. Look
at me, and perhaps you will form an idea of
my suffering"
The countenance of the stranger was white
with agony, and cold drops covered his brow.
The surgeon Embossed the bandage. The
wound had closed; every thing about the
hand appeared healthy and sound as before,
and the pulse beat evenly and soundly.
'"This touches on the Marvellous" ex-
CLAIMED Doctor N. sit passes widely beyond
every thing in my past experience. Wonder
full"
eyes, wonderful, terrible Seek not now
for the cause, Doctor, but free me from this
torture. Take your instrument and insert it
deeper than before; that alone will give me
relief"
The surgeon saw that he must grant this
prayer For the second time he performed
the same operation; again did he remark the
ale +Iy,
the stranger. Again, as he replaced the BAN
dage, fresh color took the place of the pa
TENTS pallor, frightening the vissage before
so wan. But the smile returned not now as
before. Sadly he thanked the surgeon for his
assistance.
81 thank you, Doctor. Again the pain has
ceased. In a few days the wound will be
healed. Nevertheless, be not astonished if
you see me here in a month";
''Be easy on that score, sir; chase that
thought out of your mind!" exclaimed the
surgeon.
81 have an unerring conviction that that
deadly pain will return at the end of month";"
said the stranger, deectedly ''Besides,
what is to happen to me must happen till
we meet again!"
The surgeon related to his colleagues all the
particulars of this unaccountable pain. They
consulted together; but no one was able to
offer theory, perfectly satisfactory, explain
atory of case so strange.
Toward the end of the month, Doctor N
began to look forward not without sadness,
to again seeing the stranger; but time passed
on, and he did not appear.
Thereupon, several weeks elapsed, when
the surgeon received letter, dated at his late
patients place Of residence.
He opened it. By the first glance at the
closely written pages within, he saw that the
stranger had written the letter with his own
hand, and inferred from this that the PAIN
which assuredly would have prevented him
from writing had not returned The contents
of the letter were as follows
''Dear Sir,-I will not leave you longer in
doubt concerning the fearfully strange malady
which | am about to carry with me into the
grave. will give you the origin of this ter
rible evil. For third time within a week
has this frightful pain returned. l will not
longer struggle with it. AT this moment l
am only enabled to use a pen by placing a
piece of burning sponge on the back of my
hand over the affected part; while this burns,
| feel only the smarting caused by its intense
heat; and that is as nothing compared to the
former pain.
"Six months ago, was happy man. l
lived without care, upon my income Twas in
peace and friendship with all the world. en-
joying all of pleasure that man of thirty
five finds to enjoy. A year ago, married
married for love. My choice fell upon a beau
tiful accomplished, warm-hearted girl tbe
protege of a countess in the neighborhood.
This portionless maiden loved me-not from
gratitude alone, though through me she had
become mistress of my home and sharer of all
possessed ;-she had truly childlille love
for me. For half year each succeeding day
brought me more happiness than the last.
When | went to the city for a day, my wife
could scarcely rest; when | returned, she
came out to meet me a mile from home; and
once, when / had been belated, she never
closed her eyes the whole night long. When
l occasionally prevailed upon her to pay Wis
it to the countess, who loved her tenderly, she
always returned the same day 1T seemed
impossible for her to remain more than half a
day away from home and me. Her love for
me even went so far that she gave up dancing
rather than rest her hand in the clasp of an
other. In a word, my wife was an innocent
child, who had no other thought than me.
Il know not what demon one day whispered
inmy ear What If all This be only assumed ?
Thus man, in the midst of the greatest happi-
ness, too often experiences an insane desire to
look for pain.
My wife had little work table, the draw.
er OF which she kept invariably locked.
had often noticed that she had never left il
open; never, by any chance, had forpotten II
take out the key. This thought began r.
trouble me; what had she to conceal from
me? | was certainly beside myself 7 no.
lieved in her innocent countenance her cloo,