The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-08-27
A Physicians Story.

had been out rather late to party I;
the evening had been pleasantly spent
in dancing and singing with the young
ladies, who are always sure to cOngregate
in large numbers upon such occasions.
Our supper had been excellent. | had
seen Il fair inamOrata to her fathers
domicile, and had Just returned home
somewhat wearied. threw myself upon
my couch to snatch, if possible, before
daybreak, n few hours sleep; but had
hardly fairly launched off into the arms
of Morpheus ere / was handed note,
coming from an intimate friend, request
ing my presence at his house mt once.
/ must confess that | felt disinclined,
at first, to comply with this singular re-
quest, but finally concluded to go.
hardly know how ] reached the place,
but few minutes afterward found me
seated i'm his private room.
j noticed he looked somewhat excited,
and Immediately asked for the object of
this rather hasty and unreasonable sum-
mons. He bade me not be over anxious,
and conversed few moments upon the
general topics of the day, then said he
had sent for me for a special purpose,
which he would let me understand di-
rectly.
He had been standing all this time
near an open bookcase, and had been
fumbling around for something that he
seemed to be ut loss to find, when, all
at once, he turned toward me, with his
eyes fairly starting from their sockets, ~
demoniac lighting-up of his whole coubs
tenance, a trembling of his whole frame,
and with gestures truly terrifying, he
bade me prepare to die.
The truth flashed upon me at once;
my friend was insane! For moment
was staggered, bewildered; what could |
do? / thought my time had come, and
oh, horrors, what a death! tor he held in
his hand an open razor! | looked for a
chance of escape, but none was presented
me, The door | had neglected to shut
was open, buo now he stood between me
and that only chance of escape. Like q
drowning man, my whole life passed in
panoramic view before me. / thought
of friends, of home, of prospects, of one
| loved dearer than life, of-yes, every
thing pertaining to my individual exist
ence. A silent prayer went up to heaven.
All this was but minute pressed my
hand upon my heart to keep down its
throbbings, and was ready.
But thought suggested itself to me 4!
"Aleck," | said, "Defore you cut my
throat, had you not better shut the doorw
lie turned silently to comply with my
request. That moment-that turn was
my salvation. With two firm hands
grasped heavy chair within my reach,
and rushed toward him. / struck with
force upon the back part of the head,
which staggered him; the next was
well-directed blow upon he temporal
bone, which felled him to the floor, APP
parently lifeless. waited for nothing;
/ jumped over his PROSTATE body, through
the partly closed door, then down the
stairs with rush, making for the front
door leading to the street. | stumbled |
and fell The shock-awakened me. | |
had been dreaming. l found myself
sprawling upon all-fours upon the floor.
1t seems, in my struggle, | had rolled |
from my bed, and the shock, of course,
aroused me-
The dream had caused the perspiration
to start from every pore. | sat upright, |
and came to the conclusion, then and |
there, that late suppers, especially when
we indulge too freely in cakes and pies
of every conceivable shape and make,
were not just the things for a persons |
stomach, unless it could be made of |
something of the consistence and strength |
of leather.