The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-08-08
A Very Thrilling Adventure.

I
Twas medical student at Paris at the tim
the strange and startling adventure happen
ed which am about to record. Tired wit
lopg lectures and hard study, | was out on
evening for a walk in the fresh air. Ii wa
pleasant day in mid winter, and the ceid
bracIng air, as it touched my feverish brow
caused a grateful sensation.
| Passing through a rather lonely street
near the river, | was surprised at meeting
young and pretty girl (at least so she ap
peared in the dim light of rather distan
street lamp), w., carried in her hand som
three or four boqusts, which she offered 70
sale.
evil Monsieur have a bouquet 2" sh
asked in sweet, musical tone, holding
out to me a well arranged collection Of flow
ers.
''They are very pretty" said taking
them in my hand and then, somehow,
could not help adding, as fixed my eye
on her, and so, think, is their fair own
er"
Monsieur will buy and assist mey" sh,
said.
'Do you really need assistance 2"
"Why else should be here this hour Of
the night, Monsieur
''And why here at all 7" quickly returned
|. This street is very little fIequented, anC
i is about the last place in the world should
have selected for dispoSing OF luxury mos
suited to wealth and fashion,"
She sighed and reached out her hand fol
The boquet, which still retained.
"What is your price ~
''Five francs
"A large sum-"
"Alonsiur will remember that it is winter
and flowers are not plenty"
ITO aid you will puIcbase," returned /
handing her the requisite silver coin; f; s'foi
.hough | love flowers. | would hardly in
ddlge in the luxury tonight at such an ex
pense."
She thanked me, and seemed about t
pass on, but hesitated, looked up to me, and
said:
''Could Monsieur direct me to the house
of good physician who will turn out TO-
night to see a patient at small recon.
pense?'
'Any friend Of yours ill"
"My MOTHER" with deep sigh and down
cas-. look.
"Where does she reside %
"0nly short distance from here"
"Whst is the matter with her -
''She has high fever for one thing"
"When was she taken Z"
"She came down last night, and has not
left her bed since"
"Wby did you not send for doctor al
oncer
I'VE hoped she would get better soon
and it is SO expensive for poor people to EN-
ploy physician"
81 am myself medical student with cor
siderable experience among the sick Of th'
hospitals, and if you are disposed to trus
the case to me, am at your service withou
Charge | rejmned, already feeling deeply
interested in the fair girl.
"Ca, bow shall | thank you Monsieur I
she exclaimed With clasped bands and an up
ward, grateful look. "Pray follow me. Mon
sieur le docteur."
She turned at once and moved off at G "a
rid pace down the street, towards tine river
Seine, IN the direction | was walking wher
we met.
In less than five minutes we bad entered
wretched quarter, among narrow streets, OLD
iottering buildings, and squallid looking in.
abltants, some OF whom seemed to glare al
Us as we passed along.
''Is it much further Z" inquired |, begin
ming to feel uneasy.
Only step, Monsieur. 1t is just here.'
Almost Immediately she turned into a Gov
cred passage, which led back among inbabi
tants that | should never have voluntarily
visited m the broad light Of day. A dlstan
lamp served TO make the gloom visible till sh,
stopped and opened door 10 total dark
ness.
"Your hand, Monsieur le docteur,r sh,
said, at the same time taking 1t and leadin.
me forward.
was tempted 10 draw back and refuse t
% any further, though mechanically FOL
lowed her.
We now went through long passage il
total darkness, and after Two or three shor
turrs, began to descend flight Of crcaking
rotten stairs.
"ls it possible that you live in a place lik
this !" said !, secretly wishing myself out Q
il.
I'm Paris beggars cannot be choosers,'
replied the girl.
"But even in Paris it is not necessary 70
the living to take up their abodes in sepul
chres - | rejoined with some asperity, bs
ing vexed at myself for suffering my goo
nature to lead me into den from which
might never come out alive.
To this my fair guide deigned no repll
| On reaching the foot OF the stairs she pnshe
open door in small, dimly lighted room
and | followed her into it with some seer
misgivings. There was q bed in one corn,
and on II appeared to be human form lyiu
very still.
Il have brought doctor, mother" sal
the girl, as she closed the door behind m
Az there was no reply to this, she turned
me, saying:
"Wili Monsieur le docteur please be sea
ed mlnutef lthihk my mother Is asleep
81 beg that msdamciseEe will bear in mir
that Sn only 8, are y few moments 10 ID
case u might, AZ have another cali vii
to maka imsnediateIy, y feeling anxious 10 d
part from that subterranean quarter a. qui,
as possible.
ssMonsisur shall not be detained long |
u me" rejoined the girl, passing out Of :
Il room BY another door.
n i'did mot sit down, but walked over 30 4
lbed. where tbe patient was lying very still