The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-03-04
I From The Nsv York Sunday Times.
NY FIRST NtcHT~cALL.

,IFrot's The Nep York Sunday Times. |
wy FIRST hltcHT~cALL.
1t was a stormy evening in Janu-
ary, twenty years ago. Snow had
fallen during the day, but now had
changed into freezing sleet, which
covered the pavements with a CLASSY
coating, dangerous and difficult alike
to man and beast.
My days work seemed over, for at
this time I had just commenced nv
career as a young physician, with few
acquaintences and was not harrassed
by the demands of practice. Indeed.
my small stock of ready money was
well nigh exhausted, and I was be-
ginning to look. forward to the future
with some anxiety. For this night.
however, I had determined to dis
miss all care, and was comfortably
settled beside the glowing hearth in
our little sitting.room. NV wife.
opposite me, had one foot engaged
IN keeping our boys cradle in mo-
ton, while her fingers were busted
with some dainty piece of embroidery.
According to my evening custom, I
mad just commenced reading aloud
from favorite author, when O sharp
ring at the street-door caused me to
lay down the volume. The caller
was shown into the Office; and I re-
paired thither in obedience to the
summons. ~ =
Seated in the darkest corner of the
room, L found man, whose slouched
hat shaded half his face, the rest
being concealed by voluminous wrap
pers, so that was unable to distin-
gulsh single feature. On nv en-
trance he rose, without uncovering.
and SAID he was sent to bring me to
person who required my immediate
assistance. He could not tell me the
nature Of the sufferers ailment. but
desired me to get ready, and start at
once, as he had been told to lose no
time. He added that, the distance
being. considerable, he had brought
o carriage. which was waiting at the
door.
The mans appearance, and his
hurried and reserved mode of speech.
were little calculated to inspire con.
tidence, and at first I hesitated to
comply. tried to ascertain the pa
uent's name and residence, but I re-
celved only evasive replies, and Of
length was told bluntly, unless I went
without further parley, some other
physician would be called in, less un-
Wiling to earn the handsome fee in
readiness for him. I am not by
nature timid man, and saw no
special reason to be afraid of under
taxing the case thus strangely offered
me. On the other hand, the hint as
10 recompense was not without its
influence. My curiosity, too, was
excited; and finally L took nv seat in
3he carriage, the man mounting the
box beside the driver, and we SET ont
on our way through the almost desert
ed streets. >'''-
AS we drove rapidly along, I
ehought it best to take notice of the
nelSh6orhoods through which we
passed; but the coach windows. of
t1lck piate-glass, could not be lower
Gu Dy my utmost efforts, and the
STORM and darkness rendered it inn
possible to recognize o single land
marx. L could only perceive that
our route lay far up town. and that
when we had left the gas,lampa he.
U no, uS, we seemed TO be following
rough and narrow country lane
az le1gsh we emerged on q smooth
8raVelea avenue, and. few mo.
ments after, stopped, when the meg.
senger opened the door and assisted
me to alight. found myself in front
OF q pillared portico of stately bro.
portions, the entrance to a mansion
which seemed to stretch, on either
side, into an immensity of gloom.
AS L mounted the steps, the large
double doors were thrown open, re-
vealing dimly-lighted vestibule of
great size. On the threshold stood
the tall figure Of gentleman draped