The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-02-05
TALES OF THE BORDERS,
THE SUICIDE.
The SURG EoN's STORY.
ALLx,SDFR LrIaHroy t,

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Two days more having elap>,,l ! fel'
anxious to ascertain the effect Of nv moral
enetoc dth0rticS, and set out on the special
errand Of visiting my patient. The hoHse,
as | approached. exhibited the same still,
desd-like aspect it possessed on my first
visit. On knocking at the door, it was
opened timidly and slowly by the daughter,
who appeared to be paler, more sorrow
stricken, more weak and irritable, than on
the occasion of my former visit. Her eye
exhibited that terrorstruck look which ner-
vous people, kept On the rack Of a fearful
apprehension, so often exhibit. Her voice
was low, monotonOus, and weak, as if she
had been EXHAUSTED by mental anxiety,
watching. and care. There was still no one
in the house but her and her father the
same stiffness reigned everywhere-the
same air of objectionable same goustiness
in the large empty dwelling. On asking
her how her father was, she replied, mourn
fully, that he had scarcely ever been out Of
his bed since my last visit; that he lay
night and day, reading the books had
sent him that he had eaten very little
meat and had fallen several times into
dreadful fits of groaning, and talking t.
himself She added that he felt, at times
disinclined to see her; but at others, hi:
affection for her rose to such height, that
he flung his arms about her neck, and wept
like child on her bosom. She had pro
posed to him, she said, to bring some per
son into the house but he got into VIC
lent rage when she mentioned it, and sait
he would expel the first intruder, whether
man or woman. She had therefore beer
compelled to remain alone. She had lair
at the back Of his room-door every night
watching bis motions, whereby, in addition
to her grief, she had caught a violent rheu
matism, which had stricken into her bones
" hen, for short time, she had gone tC
sleep, she was awakened by terrific dream:
and nightmares, which made her cry alouc
for help, and exposed the situation she hac
taken, for the purpose Of watching hel
parent, and defeating his purpose of self
murder.
proceeded TO the patient room. Wher
entered, which did softly, | found hin
lying in bed, with his head, as formerly
Gound up in a handkerchief; a volume 0
the "Newgate Calendar" lying on hi
breast. So occupied was he with his ENJOY
ment of this m0rc6m of horrors, that h
did not notice my entry or approach to hi
bedside. stood and gazed at him. Ill
had finished the page that was open befor
him-exhibiting John Tarrance, the black
smith Of Hockley. His eve rested at leas
five minutes on this horri6c picture /; and
as he continued his rapt gaze, be drew dee
sghs-his breast heaving with great force
as if throw off an unbearable load II
turned the page, and noticed me.
ou are very intent upon that book,
san I. Z" hope it interests you"
. Yes" replied he. My mind has bee
dead or entranced for year. This il th
only thing in the world | have met "
during NY sorrow capable O putting If
into my soul. 1t seems as if all the enc
gies that have been lying useless for tn;
period has risen at the magic power O Cd
. wonderful book, to pour their collecte
!. strength upon its pages.
: "Then it has served its end, said
), doubling greatly the truth of my own stat
= ment. c sent it for the purpose Of ente
4 tanning yOu-that Interesting you"
o Entertaining men' he CALCULATES
+" You mean, binding my soul wi irC
bands my heart now loves the misery
formerly loathed. But, sir, | am not f
with this food devour it with a false al
ravenous appetite and were there tho
sand volumes think could read them
before broke bread or closed an ee.
[. He rolled out these words with vol
hility and an enthusiasm that surprised m