Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-10-26

"And now well have O coy, comfortable
evening together" said my wife. and
but what's that, Irving ?'
My wife started nervously as sharp peal
at the bell interrupted brief interval Of
domestic quiet.
"Only the surgery bell, my dear. Some
body wanting me, l suppose"
went down stairs secretly wondering TO
myself if, after all, there was such a very
wide difference Between n galley slave and
country doctor.
The surgery door stood wide open, but
nobody was there, and through the binding
darkness without l could discern the dark
outline of close carriage, and man stand
! ing at the horses head.
"Who's there whats wanting 2"
asked, coming to the threshold and instinc-
lively buttoning up the overcoat had hur-
! riedly thrown on.
You're wanted, doctor" said the man,
speaking indistinctly behind the muilling
| that surrounded his face.
"Ycs, but what for2 Who wants me 2"
II am not at liberty to tell
l had already entered the carriage, but
this suspicious answer inspired me with dis
trust. made q step to descend, but it was
too late. The vehicle was already in mo-
tion.
ut is quite unnecessary to alarm your
self, DOCTOR" said quiet, measured voice
at my side. "Bclievc me, you arc quite
safe; and trust you will not feel any unea-
sincss when l tell you that you mus: be
blindfolded."
And at the same instant folded bandagC
was dcftly slipped over my eyes.
Hold !" ! calculated. 1T strikes me
that this is rather supollluous. The nigh,
is as dark as Ercbus, and you have no lamp
POSSIBLY" returned the Cry voice; "5u'
it is best to run no risks"
And then ensued a silence of some ten ol
fifteen minutes, while the carriage rolled
swiftly along, and the low mesured breath
|, ing of my unknown companion kept time
to my own uncomfortable thoughts.
At length my companion spoke again il
the same soft, modulatcd tones.
doctor, one more little prccaution is ne
cessary-you promise never to disclose to ,
human soul II word of this nights visit"
l hesitatcd.
, II cannot bind myself by any such cove
} nant. Tho relation between physician ant
patient are, of course, confidential, but
The carriage paused abruptly here, ant
the door swung open. At the same instan
) something cold touched my temples.
was the muzzle of pistol. / recoilcd il
horror.
, You surely would not murder me ~
IL promise u / gasped, recoiling ono
I, more from the chilling touch of the col,
steel at my temples.
o Very we'll. Gomez"
G | was led up narrow walk, through
q doorway, into a room, where the bandag
was removed suddenly from my eyes.
b The spot was very familiar to me-a ru
s inous cottage, long since abandoned to Dc
II cay, in the heart of dense, swampy wood!
How the carriage had ever reached it wa
1 at loss to know. Upon pile of straw
If hurriedly thrown into a corner of the mou
:, dering floor, lay PROSTATE figure, moanin
n at every breath. His face was concealed b
- handkerchief, and the blood was slow
d dripping from gunshot wound just aboN
l. the anklc-a wound which had been clun
10 silly dressed by some unskillful hand.-
=. Moreover there was dark red stain on n
straw where his head lay, and his light ha
tn was matted with coagulated drops. Two
T. three men stood around, with rude masks
?. black cloth drawn over their faces, in whit
~ three Sits were cut for the eyes and mout
'., and female figure knelt by the heap
no straw, veiled closely.
The men silently made way for me as
u advanced into the apartment, and held tho
- lanterns SO that the lurid light should f
l. full upon my strange patient, as SILENT,
stopped and examined both the wounds
swell 2" asked my carriage companion.
IN 81 can do nothing. The man must di
"Nonsense A mere bullet through I
" leg-what does that amount to 7" hurried
gasped the man.
os In itself, not much but that blow up
he the skull must prove fatal.
" A low, half-suppressed cry broke from
woman opposite. She tore the veil from