Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-02
MEMPHIS. TENNESSEE. THURSDAY EVENING. JULY O. 1868
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.


was a medical student in Paris at the
time the strange and startling adventure
happened which / am about to record.
Tired with long lectures and hard study,
l was out one evening for walk in the
fresh air. 1t was pleasant night in mid.
winter, and the cold, bracing air, as il
touched my feverish brow, caused q CRATE
fol sensation.
Passing through q rather lonely street,
near the river was surprised at meet
ing young and pretty girl lat ledst so
she appeared in the dim light Of rather
distant street lamp, who carried in her
hand some three or four bouquets, which
she offered for sale.
"Will monsieur have q bouquet" she
asked, in sweet musical tone, holding
out to me well arranged collection OF
beautiful flowers.
"They are pretty" said /, taking them
in my hand, and then, somehow, could
not help adding, as fixed my eyes upon
hers, "and SOL think, is their fair owner.
DO you really need assistance, made
moiselle 2"
"Why else should ] be here al this
hour of the night. monsieur 2"
And why here at all2' quickly re.
turned /. "This street is little fre-
quented, and il is about the last in the
world / should have selected for disposipg
Of a luxury most suited to wealth and
fashion"
She sighed and reached out her hand
for the bouquet, which / still retained.
What is your price p
:" Five francs"
"A large sum-"
Monsieur will remember it is winter,
aud flowers are not plenty"
" To aid you'll will purchase, returned
], handing her the requisite coin; for
though love flowers, i would otherwise
hardly indulge in the luxury to. night at
such an expense"
She thanked me, and seemed about to
pass on, but hesitated, looked up to noe,
and said:
"Could monsieur direct me to the
house Of good physician, who will turn
out tonight, and see patient at small
recompense
"Any friend of yours ill?"
my mother with deep sigh and
downcast look.
Where does she reside 2"
Only q short distance from here"
What is the matter with her.?
"She has a high fever for one thing"
when was she taken 2"
She came down last night, and has
not left her bed since"
why did you not send for a doctor at
once2
"We hoped she would get better soon,
and it is SO expensive for poor people to
employ a physician"
am myself a medical student, with
experience among the sick
of the hospitals; and if you are disposed
to trust the case to me, ] am at your SER
vice without charge" Irejoined, already
feeling deeply interested in the fair girl.
"Oh, how l shall thank monsieur |"
she exclaimed, with clasped hands, and
an upward, grateful look. Pray fol-
low me, Monsieur lie Docteur."
She turned at once, and moved off at
rapid pace down the street. toward the
river Seine, in the direction l was walk.
ing when we met.
In less than FIVE minutes we had en-.
tered a wretched quarter, among narrow
streets, old, tottering buildings, and
;qualid looking inhabitants, some of
whom seemed to glare at us as we passed
along
"Is it much farther2' inquired /, be-
ginning to feel uneasy.
only step, monsieur; it is just
lere."
Almost Immediately she turned into
covered passage, which led in back |
among habitations that | should never |
nave voluntarily visited in the broad light |
If day. A distant lamp served to make |
he gloom visible, till she suddenly |
stopped and opened door into total
darkness.
Your hand, Monsieur le Docteur,"
The said, at the same time taking it and
eading me forward.
F.. | was tempted to draw back and re-
use to go any farther, thought mechani--
,ally followed her
We now went through long, narrow
in total darkness, and after two
,r three short turns, began to descend o
light of creaking, rotten stairs.
Is it possible you live in place like
his said l, secretly wishing myself
afely out of it.
IN Paris beggars cannot be choosers,"
eplied the girl.
But even in Paris it is not necessary
or the living to take up their abode in
epulchres " 1 rejoined with some as
,erity, being vexed at myself for suffer-
ng my good nature to lead me into a
len from which l might never come out
live.
To this my fair guide deigned no re-
,ly. On reaching the foot of the stairs,
he pushed open a door into a small,
limly-lighted room, and l followed her
nto it with some secret misgivings.
There was bed in one corner, and on it
.ppeared to be q human form lying very
till.
II have brought doctor, mother"
aid the girl, as she closed the door be-
lind me. As there was no reply to this,
he turned to me, saying:
"Will Monsieur lie Dooteur please to