The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-11-11
Calls, sksttbts, 3lntOotes, TT.
THE GUILTY SECRET.
a STORY TOLD BY PHYSICIAN.

had been some years engaged in the
practice of medicine in one of our largest
cities before l met with any serious adj
ventures. One night, as was returning
home through lonely, unfrequcnted part
of the city, ~ late hour, from patient
whom l had been with since noon that
day, and whom l was now permitted to
leave my reason of favorable change, l
was suddenly stopped in dark, gloomy,
out>of-the-way spot, by gruf, coarsely-
dressed man.
You're doctor ?'' he half announced
and inquired in the same words.
81 am.'
81 want you 10 come with me, then !"
he said, in tone that indicated the mat
ter was already settled in his own mind,
however it might be in mine.
81 cannot tonight. / am wearied oct
and anxious te get home"
':Ies, you doctors are always wearied
out when poor man wants you'll" said
the fellow with a threatening growl !;
''but only let sone-snob's wife's poo
die dog need looking to, and you find your
way there at any hour of the day or night
well, I'm no snob, thank Heaven and
I've got money enough to pay your fee /;
and I've tried half dozen doctors already,
and none of them will come-and so, you
see, l can't let you off,"
''Bnt, really"
''See here, doctor,'' interrupted the fel-
low, producing knife, and flashing the
blade by a quick flourish before my eyes,
''pm a desperate man, and might be
pushed to do wicked deed Every man
sets certain value on his own life, and
also on the life of his best and dearest
friend.
"You know how much your life is
worth to you, and / know how much an
others life is worth to me and fore
heaven swear, fyou attempt to go and
leave my friend to die, I'll put this knife
into you"
1t was an open space where we stood,
about half way between Two blocks of
buildings that were moi yet tenanted. |
looked up and down the street, but not a
soul was in sight.
''Where do you wish me to go ?'' IN
quired.
ooh, down here a piece" said he,
jerking his shoulder. ''Come on, before
it is too late"
He passed his arm through mine with,
out so much as ''by yonr leave," and be-
gan TO move away, Of course taking me
with him.
'Is your friend male or female ~
''She's a woman"
hraafbad mona E.aol,, 7
always experienced degree of security
among the opposite sex, and among the
most depraved and abandoned.
'tWhat is the matter with her and how
long has she been sick ?'' I questioned.
"About three or four hours ago she
gave birth to child that didn't live bat
minute, and since then she's been hav-
ing fits" was the reply.
.sWas there no physician with her
when the child was born p asked.
stNo; couldn't get one for love or
money. An old woman, a neighbor,
came in and did what she could Do
you think as how you can save her, doc
tor 7" inquired the man, in husky tone,
81 cannot say, of course, but will prom
ise to do the best l can"
~"Oh do, do, and Heaven will bless
you for it u he rejoined, in tone that
expressed deep and earnest feeling that
| had not supposed was IN his nature.
began TO be interested ; the man
might be better than l thought; some
poor fellow. perhaps, who had been the
football of fortune, and had not received
his deserts.