The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-31
THE WREATHED SUBJECT.
TALE OF THE DISSECTING TABLE.

In a narrow little street, full of hooks ant
angles, stands quaint brick house, nook,
and full of angles, too. 1t has survived
many years, and time has filled it's crevice
with mold, and green moss now and thel
is seen on its cornices or grows close on tn
walls.
| 1t is old enough to have had history, ant
people say it is the brooding haunt of mem
, cries that are better lost than kept alive
Be that as it may, it is the scene of littl,
incident in life, which was told to me, and
relate it here. Those connected with it hav,
passed away, but others beside myself will
recollect the doctors story.
The old college near by was in the hey
day of its fame before the war, and student.
from all parts of the State were in attend
ance. By some of these the old house we
speak of was rented for dissectng purposes
and hither were brought the subjects they
desired to practice on. A gloomy place i,
was. and with closed shutters and doors, ex
GLIDING daylight, the heavy atmosphere
seemed instinct with ghostly presences
Coming into the house from the keen air out
side, chill would strike to the heart like the
breath OF a Texas nOrther. An inspiration
of restraint, of fear and dread was all about
the place.
Imagine, then, my feelings" said the
narrator, "when, long after midnight, ]
crept cautiously into the old house alone.
had made arrangements to have subject
brought me tor my next days study but a
feverlsh unrest pirsued me, and an inclna-
ton could not resist carried me there long
before any one else was stirring. knew my
commissaries had done their work long be
fore, and in the silent figure on the table,
and lined through the muslin draperies,
perceived that for which came in search.
My nerves were always strong, and had a
passion for science. l had no fear of the
dead, and yet l trembled perceptibly as
stood that night beside the voiceless CLAY
had come to view.
What was it-feare or the subtle SYM
pathy which, despite all reasonable causes,
at times pervades the heart and mind
can't describe the sensation but felt as
If l was approaching some event of con-
trolling force and power on my life. But
whatever the feeling was, l shook it off,
and turning up the gas, approached the
table. My hand shook little as l exposed
the face of tie dead to view.
1t was young girl, apparently about
seventeen years Of age; it was sad face,
beautiful and calm, and smile, like the
shadow of holy memories, fingered on the
lips. garland of white flowers wreathed
her brow like bride. The golden floss of
sunny hair that crowned the head was
stirred by breath of air. | started and
turned pale. 1t seemed to me, on the I'M
reasoning instant, that on that silent,
viewless breath of air, life was returning
to the inanimate frame.
What if it should be so! l came closer
and looked eagerly into the face-a calm,
still face, with yellow lashes vailing the
palely tinted under-lids and waxen ?loom
like roseate shadow on cheek and lip;
soon as I looked the features changed
shadow swept the ace-indistinct-such as
a CLINT Of sunlight filings on ice or
steel.
1t was life. l was certain of it now
Quick as thought lifted the figure and car
ried it to sofa in all adjoining roOm and,
the arm, stuck my lance deep into
a vein. The blood came dark and clOtted, a
drop at a time, then swifser and in a rud-
dier stream. My brain was on fire, and my
blood leaped like courser through my
veins; but my hand was steady, and my
senses did not desert me. Through her set
teeth poured draught of ammonia, and
life began to f1utter back into the passive
frame; the mouth twitched; the cheeks
flushed and paled alternately; the evelids
quivered, and the blue eyes opened wide.
81 have, been dreaming" she murmured,
YEARLY.
'Yes," 1 replied, pleasant dreams, l
trust"
Every pleasant! thought of clouds and
shadows, tinged with raiubow-hues; and
gentle. murmuring streams and gardens full
If blooms"
take this, and dream again." said; and
almost as l spoke she sunk back in sleep.
And then the doctor relapsed into silence,
90.
"Well, doctor, what next :" I asked
eagerly.
Well, called a carriage and took her to
ny boarding house-had her made comfort
bile" he replied, CURLY.
"She wasn't dead, then, after all :"
"Now
But she had been buried 7" we asked.
"Yes-in a trance. That is all you need |
0 know"-and the doctor ended his story