The Van Buren press., 1869-12-14
MISCELLANY.
The Guilty Secret.
A Story Told by a Physician.

A Story Told by Physician.
had been some years engaged in thu
practice Of medicine in one of our larges
cities before met with any serious ad
ventures. One night, as was returning
home through lonely, unfrcquentel
part of the city. at late hour, from
patient whom had been with since moor
OF that day, and whom l was now per
mitted to leave by reason of a favsrabl,
change, was suddenly stopped in dark
gloomy, out.of-th the-way spot, by gruf
coarsely- dressed man.
You're 8 doctor!' he half announc.
cd and inquired in the same words.
II am."
| want you to 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
II cannot tonight l am wearied out
and anxious 20 gel home
Yes, you doctors are always wearied
out when poor man wants you!' said
the fellow with threatening growl ;
:" but only let some - snob's wife S
poodle dog need looking to, and you
lind 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 dszen
doctors already, and none of them will
GGome-and q" vou see ] can't let on
" But, really"
"See here. DOCTOR" interrupted the
fellow, producing knife, and flashing
the blade by quick flourish before my
eyes, "I'm desperate man and might
he pushed to do wicked deed. Every
man sets certain value on his own life,
and also on the life of his best and dear
est friend.
"You know how much your life's
worth to you, and / know how much
another's life is worth to me; and fore
heaven swear, ifyou attempt to 60 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 not yet tenanted. !
looked up and down the street, but not a
soul was in sight. ....
"Where do you wish me to goT'
inquired.
"Oh, down here piece" said he,
Jerking his shoulder. Come on, before
it is too late" s..
He passed his arm through mine with
out SO much as "by your leave" and
began to move away, of course taking
me with him. .-. .-
" Is your friend male or female p
"Shes a woman"
| brcathed more freely, for somehow
I always experienced degtee OF securi.
ty among the opposite sex, and among
the most depra,ed and abandoned,
What is the matter with her, and
how long has she been sick iquesdon
ed.
About three or four hours ago she
gave birth to Child that didn't live bu,
a minute, and since then Sue S been hav.
ing fits" was the reply.
WAS there no physician with hel
when the child was born Z" | asked,
mo; ! couldn't get one for love OF
money. An old woman, a neighbor,
came in and did what she could. Do
you think as how you can save her, doc
tor y inquired the man, in husky tone
IL cannot say, Of course, but viii
promise to do the best | can"
90 do, do. and Heaven will bless yOr
for it! he rejoined. in a tone that ex
pressed deep and earnest feeling that
had not supposed was in his nature.
began to be interested the man might
be better than thought; some poor fol
low, perhaps, who had been the football
Of fortune, and had not received his des
erts.
"Is the woman your wife" / kindly
inquired.
believe the man heard me- but as he
did not answer, concluded not to repeal
the question.
We soon turned into some mean, dark
narrow streets, where none but the poor
or classes lived. We now walked for
ward in silence--thc man, who had hold
of my arm as if lie were afraid ! nigh
otherwise give him the slip, taking long
rapid strides, and causing me no little ex'
ertion to keep step with him.
At length he turned into dark court
where could see nothing but few din
sy buildings on either side aud thought
il his object was to rob mo. / was com
pletoly in his power, At the far end o
the court he stopped, opened door, anc
led me up lght Of creaking stairs. W.
CROPPED our way forward few feet, ant
then he opened the door into the room
Of the patient The apartment was smal
and plainly fur shed, with lamp stand
inu on little table not far from the bed
An aid woman, who was leaning owe