Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-01-02

nave tne pafDarlly-f ana nero my
voice choked.
"Oh, yes !" 1 have conquered that
prejudice againstnfcting suffering which
is natural to the mind enfeebled by civil
lization. For many years l secretly prac
ticed vivisection upon animals. l once
had o cat-an animal very tenacious Of
lite-under my scalpel for week. But
we have no time to waste in conversation.
You will not be put to any needless suf-
ering. These instruments are not my
own-blunted for want of use. l took
the precaution of borrowing the case of
the gentleman under Whose care | had
been placed before making my escape"
While speaking thus he took out the hid
eous little glittering instruments and ex
amined them one by one. They were of
various appalling shapes, and l gazed
upon them with the horrible fascination
Of a bird under the power of snake. OF
only one could l tell the use-a thin,
trenchant blade, which almost cut you to
look at it. He knelt across me, arranging
his implements on the seat to the right;
laid his notebook, pencil and watch on
that to his left; and took off his neck cloth
and collar, murmuring, 1.-THE clothes are
very much in my way. l wish that you
were properly prepared for the operation"
1t flashed across me in my despair, that
l had heard of madmen being foiled by
an apparent acquiescence in their mur-
derous intentions.
"Atter ALL" | forced myself to say,
"what is one life to the human race ?
Since mine is demanded by Science, lot
me aid you. Remove these bonds aud
let me take of my coat and waistcoat."
He smiled and shook his head
"Lifo is sweet; | will not crush you,"
he said, unfastening my waistcoat, and
turning back the lappels as far as he
could. Then, taking u pair of scissors,
he proceeded to cut my shirt front away,
so that presently my chest was bare to
his experiments. Whether l closed my
eyes or was seized with vertigo, do not
know, but for moment | lost sight OF
everything, and had visions-a sort OF
grotesque nightmare. 1t was the figure
which | recall but very indistinctly, but
| remember that the most prominent was
a pig, or pork, hanging up outside a
butchers shop, the appearance Of which
bore mysterious resemblance to myself.
These delirious lancies were dispeled by
a sharp pang, The anatomist had made
first slight incision. ! saw his calm
face leaning over me tho cruel blade
with which he was about to make another
and deeper cut his fingers, already Grim
son with blood and l struggled franti-
cally. My operator Immediately with
drew his armed hand and stood erect
Then, watching his opportunity, he placed
his right foot on the lower part of my
breast bone, so that by terrible pressure
he could suflocate me. Listen, my
friend !" he said; 81 will ondeavor not to
injure any vital organ; but il you wrigglo
about, shall not be able to avoid doing
so. Another thing"
He was interrupted by three sharp
whistles from the engine, SO shrill and
piercing as to drown his voice.
"Impede me by these sharp iimpEsiyC
movements, / shall endeavor to sever
those muscles which"
lie never completed his senteno. There
was mighty shock-a crash as if all the
world had rushed together. | was sho
under the seat, whore | lay uninjured an(
in safety, amidstthe horrid din breaking
tearing, shrieking, cries for help, and the
roar Of escaping steam.
| had strained the bonds which secured
my elbows in the struggle, and the jerl
Of the collision snapped them, so tha
when began to get my wits together,
found my hands free. TO liberate my
legs was then very easy matter, but no
to extricate myself-the next thing | SO
about. The whole top Of the carriage
, from where the stuffed cushion part end
was carried sheer away; and amidst the
debris which incumbered my movements
lay the mangled and decapitated body o
the madman, who intending to assail my
life, had, by keeping me down close t
the bottom OF the carriage, saved it.