Litchfield enquirer., 1871-07-20

= That is not necessary. Allow me to show you just how deep the knife shall go.' And truly, during the whole operation, the strangers s resolution did not fail him; he himself directed the surgeon as to the depth of the incision; his hand never moved until the spot represented as the seat of the pain was cut out, when, throw ing back his chest, he heaved great sigh of relief e~
 1t is entirely gone,' answered the stran- ger, smiling; the torture has ceased. As for the slighter pain which the wound oc- casions me, it is to the first pain what a warm breeze Is compared to insupportable 1 heat p. q.s'. s. raee. Ftv, While the bandage was being applied. the appearance of the stranger totally al tered. A calm, pleasant expression met the surgeons eye, instead of the former look of intense pain; the brow grew clear- CT, the color lively, returning look of life replaced the late cruel agitation-the whole man seemed transformed.
 l As the surgeon readiusted the strangers hand in the sling. he felt his own seizedby the left hand of the latter, who, pressing it warmly, said to hint, in the most ferwnt tones: Receive for your most masterly service my most sincere thanks. You have laid me under real obligation 10 you for the remuneration on my part is small, indeed, in comparison with the mighty as- sistance which you have rendered me. l will be indebted to you all my life long!' 1 But the surgeons s estimate of his services was wholly different; he absolutely refused l to accept the note for thousand guilders, which still lay on the table. The stranger persisted in leaving it, and had passed out ] of the door, when. seeing the growing dis pleasure of the surgeon, he turned, and begged him at all events to consent to ex- pend part of the sum for the benefit of some hospital, and hastily took his depart ure. k
 Dr. N visited his patient for a few days at the hotel, where he was remaining until his wound was completely healed. This was rapidly taking place. During the course of this time the surgeon had an op- portunity to make observations, which re- suited in the conviction that he had to deal with refined, accomplished man; one whose every word evinced not only exten- sive information, but that knowledge of ! the world so agreeable when united with superiority of mind. Not tbe slightest trace of any ailment, either bodily or men | tai, was to be remarked after the operation. The stranger returned to his estates shortly afterward, perfectly restored. z 4
 Three weeks had passed, wien the ser- want was again called upon to announce to the surgeon the arrival of his singular pa tient. The stranger, who was instantly admitted, appeared again with a bandaged arm; and so great was his suffering, that, at first glance, his features were scarcely | recognizable. Sinking into chair, be. i fore the surgeon had time to offer him a ho oh,l :r &> | longer sufficiently master or himself to con 1 trol his groans
 What has happened?' sympathizingly l inquired the surgeon. -.
 'The incision was not deep enough, groaned the stranger; sthe pain has re- ] turned burns more fercely than before l could rot at first bring myself to trouble you again. l fingered, hoping that death would come, and put an end to my exist ence. But what longed for came not. The pain was, and still remains, concentra- ted in this one place. Look at me, and perhaps you will form an idea of my sui. ferings.' The countenance of the stranger was white with agony, and cold drops cov- cred his brow. The surgeon unloosed the bandage. The wound had closed; every. thing about the hand appeared healthy and sound as before, and the pulse beat evenly and naturally. .t-a 'This touches on the maryellousv exclam- ed Doctor N. It passes widely be yond everything in my past experience Wonderful' .-tast .i1#
 Yes, wonderful, terrible! Seek not now for the cause, doctor, but free me from this torture. Take your instrument and insert it deeper than before; that alone will give me relief u ar The surgeon saw that he must grant this prayer. For the second time he performed the same operation; again did he remark the astonishing alteration in the counte- nance of the stranger. Again, as he re- placed the bandage, fresh color took the place of the patients pallor, frightening the visage before. Sadly he thanked the surgeon for his assistance.
 I thank you, doctor. Again the pain has ceased. In few days the wound will be healed, nevertheless, be not astonished if you see me here in month. -.s... Be easy on that score, sir; chase the thought out of your mindr exclaimed the surgeon. @as
 I have an unerring conviction that the deadly pain will return at the end of a month. said the stranger, dejectedly. Be. l sides, what is to happen to me will happen till we meet again. -
 The surgeon related to his colleagues all the particulars of this unaccountable pain. They consulted together, but no one was able to offer theory, perfectly satisfactory, explanatory of the case so strange.
 Toward the end of the month, Dr. NJ began to look forward, not without sad- ness, to again seeing the stranger; but time passed on and he did not appear. iaai @h.u II. a i e Thereupon several weeks elapsed, when the surgeon received 8 letter dated at, his 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 prevent ed him from writing had not returned. d
 The contents of the letter were as fol. lows: s-4 -
 DEAR SR-I will not leave you longer in doubt concerning the fearfully strange mall ady which I am about to carry into the grave. will give you the origin of this terrible evil. For third time within a week has his frightful pain returned. | will no longer struggle with it. At this moment I am only enabled to use pen by placing piece of burning sponge on the back of my hand over the affected part: while this burns I feel only the snoartino caused by its intense heat, and that is as nothing compared to the former pain.