Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-01-07
A DOCToR's STORY.
BY JUDGE CLARK.

How often regretted that 1t was only his
arm and not his neck that was broken -
OF course I was bound to do, and did do
all could for my patient.
wedding, DOCTOR" was the earnest exhor-
tation with which Ananias Skinner was &C
customed to greet me on my daily visits of
| inspection. Ugh how repulsive he looked,
as he lay leering and peering out of his
wicked gray eyes, his arms III splints and
an ugly black cap on his head.
| The wedding he was SO anxious about
was none other than his own. It would
have come off before, but an unlncky-
pardon me, meant just the reverse-slip
up on an icy pavement, resulting il fTac-
| tured bone, compelled an adjournment.
| It Was a shame, everybody said. that
young girl like Alice Gray should think of
marrying man of Mr.. SINNERS years.
It was the old case, people thought. of
youth and beauty making barter of them
selves for money and many there were to
sheer at, and none to pity poor Alice Gray,
| whose saddened look ard dropping form
betokened anything but heart at ease, or
one filled with bright anticipations OF the
future.
"And there was Herbert Blake to whom
she was engaged, and who sailed two years
ago in vessel never since heard from
how could she forget him so soon % sighed
the dashing Mrs. Jones, widow of two
months standing, whose grief was fairly in
consolable at the thought that it must be
kept up ten months longer.
At first I was uncharitable enough to
join in the common opinion that in con-
tractlng marriage necessarily so repEg-
nant to every feeling of maidenly delicacy,
Alice Gray was but engaging in a heart
less speculation, and was more designing
than designed against. But when came
to know the truth, and how exalted and
entirely pure were the motives that infu-
enced her conduct. and how utterly devil
1sh was the plot that enVlrOned her, felt
that to attempt her rescue was the only
fitting atonement could make for my past
| injustice.
| But how to set about it was the perplex-
ing question. L had gained my knowledge
in matter that engaged ny professional
honor against divulging it.
However, no time was to be lost. My
patient had nearly if not quite recovered,
and tomorrow was the day fixed for the
important event to which she had so long
looked forward. had at least the right
to speak freely to him and determined to
do SO at once.
He seemed little astonished at my call.
| There had never been any personal init
macy between US, and some days before I
had given him to understand that unless
!
tervened, there would be no need to con-
tinue my professional visits.
81 have come to talk to you about pri-
vate matter" began, after the exchange
OF few common-places-"one of which
feel at liberty to speak to you alone"
He looked at me attentively, but said
nothing
"You will remember" I continued,
''that previously to setting your arm I gave
you ether"
ST do" he answered.
cit was administered at your own re-
quest" added. 81 did not think it was
required in case SO simple, but yielded to
your Wishes"
81 am very sensitive to pain, DOCTOR"
he whined alphabetically; but surely you
don't think any harm has resulted"
eff that shall leave you to Judge, when
you have heard me further
He nervously motioned me to proceed.
''The inhaling of ether" resumed,
sometimes produces singular effects. A
not unfrequent result is high degree of
intoxicstion, under the influence of which
the patient will talk incessantly, often be-
traying his profoundest secrets without
the slightest recollection of it afterward. -
Ananias turned deadly pale.
t'Such," I proceeded, was the case
with you. You spoke unreservedly of
what seemed uppermost in your mind
you approaching MISUNDERSTANDING tt
fact that the hand of Alice Gray was the
price you exacted for the liberty of her
father, over whom you possessed the power
Of casting into prison for debt, he being
bound as surety on note you held for
money loaned to Herbet Blake, the young
man who was lost at seas
''You also let out that Herbert Blake
paid the note before he sailed, end men
toned the name of witness who was
present That witness have this morn.
ing seen. and he is ready to testify to the
payment of thu note.'
Ananias turned CHASTITY pale and gasped,
"What is your purpose ?"
TO put the intended victims of your
rascally plot in communication with the
witness have referred to-" I replied as ]
took my leave.
But Ananias saved Us any further trouble
by hanging himself from a hook in the
wall, with his own free will and accord, ,
as his housekeeper said.
And Herbert Blake soon after came baol
from sea, alive and we'll, and he and Alice
have been married these many happy
years.
THE SToCKADE.-It was understood yes
, terday that the stockade would be finished
: with the close of the day, and that to- a
> an installment of convicts would be intro
duced to the inner walls.