Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-08-01
AIISCEILA ANY.
A Mysterious Adventure.


cy in the art of surgery, met with at least
one strange, curious and exciting adventure,
which we now record in his own language
! am naturally as fond Of adventure in
reality (said the doctor) as most persons
are Of reading it; and this admission, /
trust, will be sufficient explanation Of how
so readily became connected with the
mysterious affair am about 10 relate.
One night, while returning late to my
lodgings from convivial party, where ]
had drank a good many healths in good
deal Of very good wine, as | was sauntering
along one Of the numerously-named quays
of the Seine, not far from the Hotel Dieu-
the Oldest hospital in Paris, and, by the
bye, one Of the best in the world--as was
sauGtering along the quay, say, humming
a tune, and, by way of variety, thinking
over some Of the stories had heard Of per-
sons being assassinaled in this vicinity and
thrown into the river, which ! could see
rolling along below me, woman, cloaked
aud hooded, brushed past me AT a quick step.
As had not heard her till / saw her, and
had believed myself alone IT, thar particular
locality, felt my blood quickened with a
slight start, and / began to mutter, as
searched for knife The o., ly weapon car
ried
"lf you were a man now. my fine lady,
instead Of a woman, as you are-God bless
the sex collectively-I-"
Here stopped, because She dia, wheel
ing round facing me aud looking as if she
were taking my dimensions.
" Five feet pine and half in boots, !"
said the wine making me rather saucy ;
weight, one hundred and fitty-fve, dinner
included; age, say twenty-five, more or
less, generally more; and mighty good look
ing for a man Of my size"
Here put my back against a convenient
post, and began to whistle the oman a y
the time apparently eyeing me closely
Then she came toward me, and said in a
low, sweet vcice--at least | thought so
then:
"Will monsieur pardon me 2"
"Of course will, mademoisele, since
you don't owe me anything, and are not
likely to" said thinking myself uncom-
monty civil, which was all owing to the
very good wine / had drank.
" Is monsieur a doctor 7"
81 have that honor, madamoselle."
A surgeon, monsieur +"
Not quiet equal to Monsieur Blandin,
but still surgeon at your service.
" Monsieur is an Englishman, she said,
perceiying from my accent that ! was a
foreigner.
. am" returned I, elevating my head
with an air of pride.
Epglishmel are brave"
Some of them, mademoiselle."
aud they are also gallant"
+" They possibly have that fault, if fault it
is, especially when pretty woman is in the
case"
Here my fair unknown, as if without
thinking, 50 clever was the art, pushed
back her hood and showed me, by the dim
light Of neighboring lamp, one OF the
sweetest, prettiest, most bewitching faces
had ever seen.
Monsieur is a doctor, surgeon, an
Englishman, and grave and gallant gen.
tleman therefore monsieur will come with
me aud save a sufferers life by his great
skin"
"Of course | will,7 said ], steadying my
self by the post, for the wine had somehow
been increasing Its power over me since
leaving my friends. Ofeourse will, mad
tmoiselle--only toe happy to serve such
beautiful creature-'pon the honor of a
Frenchiied English gentleman chirurgeon
Pray lead the way, mademoiselle."
win monsieur be SO kind as to take my
arm ?"
Monsieur was so kind-monsieur would
have done almost anything be had been
asked just then.
Twenty PAGES or so brought Us TO the
steps of one of the ports leading down into
the Seine. Ny fair unknown descended
aud SO did !, without asking wherefore
If she had jumped into the water just then
probably / should have jumped in after her
She didn't though, and that probably ac-
counts for my not being drowned doctor
to-day.
Well, as she and I reached the stair
above the wash of the river, boat rowed
by TWO men shot up 10 us, and before ]
comprehended exactly what vas doing, or
how it was done, found myself seated on
one Of the thwaris, my unknown angel be-
side me, and the boat rapidly going some
where, still rowed by two men.
Whew y thought !, +" here is an adven-
ture whether | will or no. DIR. L.,
you gouty wine-bibber, you have probably
made an ass Of yourself, and are now going
TO have your throat cut for tie little money
you are supposed to have, but you haven't
got it about your person. Well,ii' too
late to whine or repine now, and so not
word !'-and not word did say, rather
liking it than otherwise, all except the mur-
dering part, which hoped might be mere
fancy OF my own, so really foud was of ad-
venture.
We were not many minutes on the river,
and during that time we shot along past
houses, vi der bridges, and among river
craft with great rapidity. not word being
spoken. Suddenly we ran into low, dark
arch, and soon after came TO a step in some
place, where so far as seeing was concerned
couldn't have told myself from barrel OF
/ ink.
Not word, monsieur le doeteur your
life depends on it, said low, stern whisper
in my ear.
!" / am dumb as a post said ! more
%. if anything. If Jon hear me speak be.
fore YOU are ready, blow my brains out
that Is. what few have left"