Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-03-15

| ed, accomplished man one whose every
word evinced not only extensive information
but that knowledge of the world so agreea
bic when united with superiority of mind.
Not the slightest trace of any ailment, either
bodily or mental, was to be remarked after
the operation.
The stranger returned to his estates short
ly afterward, perfectly restored.
Three months had passed when the SER
want was again called upon to announce to
| the surgeon the arrival of his singular pa
| tient The stranger was instantly admitted,
appeared again with bandaged arm and
so great was his sufferings that, at first
glance, his features were scarcely recogniza-
| BILE. Sinking into a chair before the SUI.
geon had time to offer him seat, he stretch.
ed out his hand to him, no longer sufficient.
ly master OF himself to control his groans.
What has happened?" sympathizingly
inquired the surgeon.
The incision was not deep enough,
groancd the stranger; the pain has return
ed-burns more fercely than before. I
could not at first bring myself to trouble you
again hoping that death would come and
put an end to my existence. But what ]
longed for came not. The pain was, and
stiil remains, concentrated in this one place.
Look at me, and perhaps you will form an
idea Of my suffering.
The countenance of the stranger was white
with agony, and cold drops covered his
brow. The wound had healed everything
about the hand appeared sound and healthy
as before, and the pulse beat evenly and
naturally.
This touches on the marvelous' said
DR.. N. 1T passes widely beyond eve
rything in my past existence. Wonderful -
Yes, wonderful, terrible Seek not now
for the cause, doctor, bu. free me from this
torture. Take your instrument and insert
it deeper than before that alone will give
relief"
The surgeon saw that he must grant this
prayer. For the second time did he perform
the same operation again did he remark
the astonishing alteration in the countenance
of the stranger. Again as he replaced the
bandage, fresh color took the place of the
patients palor, Frightening the visage be-
fore 50 wan But the smile returned not
now as before Sadly he thanked the sur
gcon for his assistance.
Thank you, doctor. Again the pain has
ceased. In few days the wound will be
healed Nevertheless, be not astcnished il
Won coo r,c h.ra in 81 ,,ortb -
BE easy on that score, sir; chase that
thought out of your mind - exclaimed the
surgeon.
Il have an unorring conviction that that
deadly pain will return at the end OF
month said the stranger deiectedly. Be
sides, what is to happen to me must hap
pen till we meet again :"
The surgeon related TO his colleagues the
particulars of this unaccountable pain. They
consulted together, but no one was able to
offer theory, perfectly satisfactory, explain
atory Of the case so strange.
Toward the end of the month DR.. N
began to look forward, not without sadness,
to again seeing the stranger; but time pass
cd on, and he did not appear.
Thereupon several weeks elapsed, when
the surgeon received letter dated at his
late patients place of residence.
He opened it. By the first glance at the
closely written pages within, he saw that
the stranger had written the letter with his
own hand, and Inferred from this that the
pain which asSuredly would have prevented
him from writing had not returned.
The contents of the letter were as fol
lows:
DEAR SIR Il will no longer leave you
in doabt concerning the fearfully strange
malady which / am about to carry with me
into the grave. ! will give you the origin
Of this terrible evil For the third time
within a week has this trighlul pain re-
turned. will no longer struggle with it.
At this moment l am only enabled to use
my pen by placing a piece of burning
sponge on the back of my hand, over the
affected part While this burns, feel only
the smarting caused by the intense heat,
and that i5 nothing compared to the former
pain.
Six months ago I was happy man. l
lived without care, upou my income, and
was in peace and friendship with all the
world, enjoying all the pleasure that man
Of thirty Eve finds to enjoy. \ year ago |
married-married for love. My choice fell
upon a beautiful, accomplished, warm
hearted girl, the protege Of a countess IN
the neighborhood This portionless maiden
loved me-not from gratitude alone, though
through me she had become mistress of my
home, and sharer of all | posessed-she
had truly childlike love for me. For halt
a year each succeeding day brought me
more happiness thaa the last. When |
went to the city for day, my wife could
scarcely rest; when ! returned, she came
to meet me mile from home; and once
when had been belated, she never closed
her eyes the whole night long. When | &C.
casionalIy prevailed upon her to pay visit
to the countess, who loved her tenderly,
she always returned the same day; it seem
ed impossible for her to remain away from
home and me more than half day. Her
love for me even went so far, that she gave