Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-08-04

NY VIE spoke these words IN very sad
tone, and it called to my mind the reference
to her in the conversation had overheard
\ es, her very appearance was sufficient to
convince me that she was really sinking un
der something, Was it the uuhappines |
gave her because L was drunkard?
didn't make any promises then, but l
thought them. Perhaps L might have
spoken them, but at that moment servant
called at my study, and informed me that
Door woman was at the door and wished to
see the doctor.
1t was really a relief to me to have one
person call and | vent to see what the wo-
man wanted. She was wretched looking
creature, pole and emaciated. although there
was no appearance of intemperance about
her | asked her what she required, and
she replied:
Sure, me husband has fell through the
trap over the big distillery, and broke his
leg all to pieces
| considered myself a capital surgeon, and
it occurred to me at once that amputation
might be necessary. So [ told the woman
to wait moment, and would accompany
her. | went to my room, procured my in
struments, and then proceeded to the resi-
dence of the injured man,
1t was located on Pearl street. then the
most wretched in the city, and | felt ter
rible sensation come over me as [ mounted
the rickety stairs, through filth and stencil,
into little attic room. As We entered the
apartment the poor woman said to me:
Il hope you'll excuse US, sur, but we
didn't come to this until me husband took
to drink an neglected his work. l can't
support the children alone
Here Was another blow to me- I went in
made an examination of the broken limb,
and found sure that it would have to come off,
| informed the woman that this Was the only
way to save his life, and she begged me not
to let him die, as she could not live with
out him.
Was it possible Could she love that
brutalized creature? He was lying perfect
ly unconscious, and the filth around him
actually turned me sick. But | must do
something for him, and yet [ feared to at,
tempt the job alone. | told the woman that
L would procure assistance, and return iD
few moments, and then entered the street.
| had intended to go for another doctor, but
as | began to think about it, | feared to do
so, lest every one should refuse to work
with me.
Ny hands were trembling now, for the eff
feet of the liquor had drank lad nearly
worn off. | thought perhaps a glass of
brandy would steady my nerves, and so |
entered saloon and took, one, two, three.
My hand began to be steadier, and felt
greater confidence in myself.
The bar kept at the Eagle was one Of the
most fashionable down town, and the brandy
was excellent. So drank again and again
Now a little rest would do me good, and |
Of the room.
After sitting quiet for fifteen minutes, /
felt that | was ready to perform my work,
and that could do it alone. | arose and
returned to the howell | rolled up my
sleeves and began.
The wife stood weeping a my side, bu. [
needed her not The children trembled
with fright, but it did not touch my heart
| handled the keen knife, and | used the
saw, and that limb was off
But horrows in gathering up the arter-
les could not 6nd the main one. Icut the
leg again and again, and still the artery re-
ceded from me. He is bleeding to death,
and as he gradually grew paler his consci-
BUSINESS returned. He opened his great
glaring eyes and looked full into mine.
Have you not seen the cursed effect of rum
often enough to know better than to bring
drunken doctor here to perform such
work as this? He has murdered me.
The wife began TO shrek in the most ter
rible manner, and the cry was taken up by
the children, and their wailings rent my
soul
IN save him. I cried ''Ill save him
yet For Heavens sake cease your cries,
or you will have crowd of people here, and
can do nothing Be silent. and within
five minutes | will return with another
DOCTOR"
attempted to pass from the room, but l
was compelled to wade ankle deep in the
blood l found that my clothing was com
pletely saturated with the crimson. Irush-
ed frantically into the street, and toward
the residence of DR.. Brown.
For Gods sake, y cried, as 1 met the
doctor, come with me, quick l have at
the amputation of mans leg, and
| need assistance.
You must attend to your own cases,
coolly replied the Doctor
But the man will bleed to death, l
added
His blood be upon your head. cannot
myself by any connection with
such as you"
Then go alone and save the man. / will
simply show you the way"
Il WILL for it has been my province for
a long time to save where you have nearly
killed. -
The doctor followed me from his house to
the hovcl of the injured man. But when |