Litchfield enquirer., 1862-08-28
The Mysterious Watch.
AN OLD DOCTORS STORY.

l 1 AN OLD DOCTORS STORY.
 You have no faith in the supernatural? have. You do not believe in necromancy or as trology7 lido. The reason for this is you arc American, descended from English ancestors while have German blood in my veins, and in herit reverence for what you sheer at. Were . disembodied spirit to arise at ny bedside to night, should question 1t, and own to being frightened, while you would throw eandlsstiel at its immatsrial head, and insist to the lasi upon it's being burglar in disguise. Yet, mark me, in spite of yourself your hair would rise and your blood curde, and you would feel what you would not acknowledge for the world Bah fl such things have no existence, what do our strange shiverings and shudderings mean: and why do we look about us with awe stricken eyes when we pass grave-yards after dusk? You do not, you say? have never seen ghost, and cannot say that desire the spectacle. There must be an uncomfortable beating of the heart at such sight. doubt if many could retain both life and reason through such an ordeal
 am doctor. Years ago was very poor and very young. I came from my own country with my diploma, and nothing else. found that the great cities of the new world were full of doctors young and poor as was. left them, and went westward. settled in the State of Indiana. It was then one great forest, with clearings here and there for fields of corn and rude log houses. Any one led hard life there, and doctors. it seemed to me, was worst of all. Miles and miles of hard riding through rain and mud, to visit patients who could pay nothing ;-miles back again to steal few mo- ments of repose before another announcement of some one being " very badr' I was skin and bone in twelve-month, but that was nothing uncommon in that part of the world. The only wonder is that did not have what they called fever n ager;" I was the only person free from it for fifty square miles. However. I prospered, after certain fashion, and in year or two made a considerable local reputation. The place was growing, and my spirits began to re- vjve.
 It was about this time that first saw my watch to which all have now to tell relates A cold night in November had set Tn. was at supper in my little home, enjoying it as only hungry and weary man can enjoy food. Don't ask what I had it was "out West" remember Of course there was preparation of pork, and preparation of whisky; corn meal, pork and whisky are the staple articles offered 'out West" was enjoying my supper, as have said and a loud knock at my door was not the most delightful sound that could have broken the silence. However, said Come in r with as good grace as possible, and stranger en- tered. He was tall broad shouldered man, in the dress of a back-woods- man, and his large features wore troubled expression. l saw at once that something serious had occurred.
 It's bad night to trouble you to come SO far, Doctor" he said, looking at me from under his fur cap, 6 but there's bad accident happen. ed over at our clearin, and if you kin. do any. thing for the poor chap, I'll be glad to see it done, more particularly as helped to shoot him."
 "Helped to shoot himr said, with start, '' what do you meap?"
 "We took him for some kind of critter, that's how it was" answered my visitor; mot purpose, stranger. We think heaps of him. I'd sooner hev shot myself"
 Il knew the man spoke tho truth, and talk ing my box of surgical instruments under my arm, followed him to the spot where his horse was tied. Mine was already saddled; my little darkey knew well enough what the arrival por- tended, and had made him ready. We were of in few moments.
 Few words were spoken as we rode along through the darkness. l asked whether the wounds were serious, and my companion replied -"Tm afeared they be, Doctor" asked if the man was young or old, and he answered. Rising forty;" and then, after few words upon the badness of tho road, we relapssd into silence.
 At last gllmmering light told that we had approached dwelling, and with short We're thar Doctor,' my companion sprang from his saddle and entered the door. l followed him. The room was fesbly lit with aickering candles. About bed in the centre were grouped four or five men, and woman. large and broad-should- cred as any of her masculine companions. A child, too. lay crying in its cradle, but no one seemed to notice him. They made way for my approach, and saw figure stretched upon the bed. It was that of man with sinewy limbs and weather-beaten face. His shirt was unbnt. toned, and the breast and sleeves were soaked with blood. ssAt s. aa,-es 4s..
 a"Tain't of no use, doctor" he said, as I bent over him; !" I'm gone coon; doctor's stuff aint no account to me, now." &af $, as q
 I did not believe him. His face was not that of a dying man. and the wounds soarcely seemed dangerous. esf as ss
 |" "These bullets are bad things to have in one's side," said but men have lived through more than that. Cheer up Y es g. .s,. q ain't down-hearted, doctor" !" answered the man. ".I shant leave no children nor no wife to fret after me and suffer for want of my rife. I never hey been much afeared of dsath. But tell you all you dos no use ]; there's sign that can't be mistook."
 The group about the bed glanced at each oth. CT, and the woman shook her head at me as