Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-13
/ Written for the PUBLIC LEDGER
BOOK.OF.TRAVEL SKETCH rs.
#HkV MOL MA EtE p
Running a Race into Limbo.
BY AITCH
by AITCH
CHAPTER /.
WHY WE WENT INTO LIMBO.

WHY WE WENT INTO LIMBO.
have one other to relate of college
days in Paris. Yet in presenting it do
not expect, as you will presently under
stand, to win any considerable amount
Of public appreciation in the affair, in
connection with my co.operaters, as we
certainly did not receive much at the
time of its occurrence. d. ~, -
Our class was composed principally Of
three natioHalities German, French and
American, the latter fewest in numbers
Of the three. "Germsny "-as we styled
the Teutonic candidates for the disciple
ship of Esculapius-claimed honors and
distinctions on the score of application,
thoroughness and deep erudition.
France arogated to herself the merit of
promptness, inventive genius and quick
ness of perception. While " America, "
as usual, mark you, proposed to contest
each particular point with them, and
many another, not only against them,
but the whole world.
It was q broad, comprehensive plat
form, and we had close work to keep our
heads above the tide. Moreover, there
was not little favoritism manifested in
the college, in which America" shared
not at all. Hence, we had to work for it
or 90 under.
The dissecting room, as is usual in such
institutions, was the place where the
foundation was laid of brilliant triumphs
in the more difficult branches of study, as
well as of failures and bitter disappoint-
ments. Delving in the obscure text of
our class-books, all possessed equal ad-
vantage, and the progress of each there
turned on the question OF close appllca-
ton. In the matter of actual demon
stration, however, advantages we're often
secured in some way by few, which
none else possessed. This was not just,
but it could not be prevented, though
there were ways of escaping the greater
disadvantages resulting to the unfavored
ones. 1t set in operation vast amount
Of plotting and scheming, and very few OF
the more jealous students but partici-
psted in it.
: In the month of March public execu-
ton took place in the city, under the an-
spices of the military, and from which
the college faculty expected to derive
some advantage, in connection with
very select society of eminent surgeons.
The notorious criminal peleayitte was
hanged BY the neck, in the military
camp, by way of variety from the usual
methods of punishment In connection
with the culprit's sentence, the judge read
the decree which bestowed the fellows
body, after death, upon the Royal College
of Surgeons. By means of strong inau-
ence this society had secured the favor
expected by the faculty of our college,
and greatly to the disappointment of the
latter. Atl
However, during the interval of two
months before the time appointed for the
execution Of the sentence, the Catholic
priest, Father Durfee, who had minis.
tered ell along to the spiritual wants OF
the criminal, secured by some means q
reversion of this decree, and Obtained
permission to inter the body In one OF the
Catholic cemeteries near the city, as that
of an accepted member of that church.
The College Of Surgeons were now dis.
appointed in turn, and highly incensed
al this course; but as the reversion of the
former decree was not read until the day
preceding the execstion ef Deleavitte,
there vas not sufficient time allowed TO
take legal action in the case.
The hanging teok place in due course
of time. The culprit was suspended sev.
enteen minutes, when life was pronounced
extinct, and he was cut down. 10 the
fall from the scaffold, he had, as is far too
often the case, sustained DO dislocstion
or frscisrs OF the NECK, and accordingly
died horrible death By strangu lstioE..
After having been removed from the
spot and delivered to the church, several
medical gentlemen obtained Father Dur
fees consent to experiment on the liieless
body with q new process of resuscitstion.
nost singular to relate, these gentlemen,
10 their utter aptonishment, discovered,
after twenty minutes labor, Innistaksble
indications Of returning animation.
The heart began TO beat irregulsrly,
spasmodically at first, il is true, but very
forcibly, and with signs OF great natural
vitality. There were convulsive move
uents of the lower limbs, but as yet no
breathing, These proofs Of life in death
seemed 30 like the work OF yitchcFait or
soroery that the greater part OF those Who
we're Witnesses OF the scene lied from the
room in mortal terror.
The good Father Durfee, however,
stood calmly by and uttered devout
prayers while the operation was being
CONDUCTED. The efforts of the surgeons
we're eoptinlod with still greater energy,
and With Increasing hope Circulation
was IN measure restored, bat bel tue /
least respiration. Il was thought tAat
the injuries sustained by the throst in
the fall, obstructed the passage Of arr to
the lungs -..r,
They therefore proceeded TO introduce !