Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-07-31

among the invariablc items Of his toilet, and
though Black John never assisted at it per-
sonally, he was aware that his master wrap
ped these cloths abont him, whether he did
so for warmth, or to conceal any personal
in his cmaciated form was mystery. No
wonder the form was emaciated, for james
had accustomed himself for many years to
periodical blood-letting, either by lceches or
lancet
On Black Johns return to the room, he
found his master worse, but nothing could
elicit his permission to send for the medical
friend who had been in attendance on him
previously, for bronchitis. The faithful val
ct was alarmed, but he and the dog were
the only watchers on the sufferer through
out the sul,ry July day. james lay doing
and powcrless. 1t was after midnight when
he rallied.
lie Sat up and spoke to John, wandering
at times, and expressed concern at his long
attendance through so many hours, he would
have had John take some slight stimulant
whch'thc faithful soul declined. Suddenly
James tainted on his pillow. The valet U.s.
cd restorativcs, which revived him.
"John," gaspcd the invalid, "this must
be death" But John did not think so.
"You are only weak, sir" he said "let
me give you some shampaign and water, Or
the least drop of brandy in wine glass of
water For James would take such stim-
ulants in great extremity. lie Sppeda lit
tie from the glass, and said, more gently
than usual '1ave some yourself John ;
you need it, and you will not mind drinking
after me-" They were his last distinct
words. John again declined reficshment
fearing lie might fall asleep. but, at his
masters request, went TO lie down in an ad-
joining room; thinking that 'the general, y
as James chose to be designated by his val
ct, would get some rest.
Always considerate to his dependents,
''the general bad been almost tender to
John. lie had spoken to him of his lone
ly life. at was not always so John" he
had said ''once had many friends, | have
some still, and those are very good to NE !;
but they are not the friends Of early times !;
they will think of me, though and if you
want help, they will remember you for my
sake, Now go and lie down. | think | shall
sleep.
lie never woke again. At daylight,
John entered the sick room. The curtains
were closed, so he took the night-light and
approached the bed 'vThe general had
died without a struggle His eyes were
closed The worn features were calm.
There had been apparently no pain.
John drew the sheet over the face, and
descended to the kitchen for chairwoman
who he knew would be there at that hour
He summoned her TO assist at the last toll
ct of the dead general" As he closed
the door of the room, he rctreated to his
own, and laid himself down, tired out. lie
was closing his eyes, when the chairwoman
hurried in. "What do you mean, she said,
''by calling me to lay out a general, and
the corpse is a woman's?'
John was utterly unrrepared for this, al
though, like many others, he had fancied
the general" to be different from other
people in some way or another There
had been floating suspicious respecting the
sex of the doctor, but John declared he had
never thoroughly shared in them. lie had
lived with the general three years, and,
whatever doubt he might have had at first,
he had attcrly dismissed from his mind.
According to Johns account the poor
creature "old GIRL" as the ghastly
accept in her ceiling terms her not
treated in her last toilet with the courtsey
she had never wanted during her military
career Before the poor corpse was laid in
its grave, news reached the registrar gene
raj of the discovery, and he at once called
for report from the proper authority.
The report was, "that after post-n,orte,a
examination, it was found that Doctor
James, of her Majesty's service, was not
only woman but had at very early period
Of life been a mother"
The deceased effects were taken posses
sion of by accredited agents. Notwith-
standing the large sums Of money she
must have received as fees during her
long course Of private practice, she died
ponnilcss, The question arises. How had
she spent the fortune she had made? As
hush-money, or in support of the child
who, if still living, must be an elderly
person?
James left no will. There was nothing
to leave, but the poor dog. A noblemau's 5
valet came for the animal settled accounts
with Black John even to giving him the
return passage money to the island whence
he came and no one has since appeared
claiming any relationship with the eccentric
being, who was even more mysterious in
death than in life
Doctor James was buried at Kensal
Green late in July, 1866, and is registered
under the name borne ffom the time of
his entering the army as hospital assistant
| -->s>--
SCARE NE AGAIN.-A young gentleman
mr. an eldeJy one we disremember which,
II ~