Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-07-10


and some one present-a gentleman of
some note and importance-askedw what
was the quickest and easiest death TO die.
The subject was freely debated. -j"..
One evening he returned from one of
those pleasant gatherings, and in refec-
tive mood of mind, sat for an hour look.
ing over the moonlit city and the world
; famous BAY. 1t was near midnight when
two strangers were shown into him who
requested his immediate attendance in a
case of great urgency. He represented
that he was there ona visit of pleasure,
not for professional purposes. They
were perfectly aware of that fact, they
said, still they urged him sostrongly that
at last they overcame his scruples,
and he consented to 90 with them. A
carriage was at the door; ne got in first,
they followed him, pulled down the blinds,
and the carriage ratified away. He did
not like his position, and began to sus-
pect that all wasnot right. They kept
utter silence.
They seemed to drive a great distance,
turning and turning many times. Once
he inquired "Had they far to go%' and
received the brief answer, "No." AT
last they drove into the courtyard of
great house. The door opened as ifby
magic. There were no lights, he might
rs well have been blindfolded; there
would have been total darkness but for
the moonbeams which struggled through
the stained-glass window, and fell in fam
tastic SHADOWS at their feet as they
ascended the wide stone staircase. On
reaching the first landing they threw
open door, and for a second he was al
most blinded by the blaze of light that
streamed out upon him. The door
/ closed behind him as heentered the room.
| He took in the whole aspect of the room
/ at a glance it was gorgeously furnished,
and brilliantly illuminated with wax
candles; at a table near the heavily
| curtained window a man of stern,
/ commanding appearance sat writing.
| He raised his head as they entered and,
| pointing to the far end of the room, ex-
/ claimed:
"Your patient lies there, sir"
NV grandfather's eyes followed the di-
rection of his finger, and observed
woman stretched upon couch. Where
had he seen that face before? Slowly it
| dawned upon his memory. a few days
back he had been to the theater, and
1 glapcing round was struck by beautiful,
! fair face, which for the time fascinated
him: he thought it the lOveliest there.
| He looked on it again now; but how
changed The hands were clasped upon
the breast as though in prayer; dumb,
white terror was written on the face and
in the great uplitted eyes there was a
hopeless, despairing agony sickening to
behold.
He inquired what was the matter
how she had been attacked, and seeing
that she was gagged he begged them to
release her mouth, that she might answer
his questions, adding:
a naust know something of the svmp-
toms before lean attempt cure"
"Your business here is to kill, not to
cure. doctor" said one in a strangely
sad tone. which accorded i'll with his
stern fearful phrase. Your patient has
spoken her last word in this world. She
is doomed to die by a secret though
strictly Just tribunal, but we would
temper Justice with mercy and spare her
the shame and public disgrace. You
can cause her to die easily and secretly;
therefore we have brought you here"
eff this lady has committed any
crime so great as to deserve death" he
answered, full Of compassion for the un-
fortunate, "she must meet her punish
ment from the hands of the public exc
cutioner, not by mine"
"Bv yours. and yours only" said one
of his conductors, gravely. There Is no
time to waste in mere words. She knows
she has deserved death, and she knows
that she must die"
Good forbid" exclaimed the physi-
clan. frozen horror stealing over him.
The ominous stiffness, the grim aspects
of the terrible men, struck chill TO ms
heart. He realized all the horror OF his
position.
ga doctor never travels without his
tools" resumed the stranger; and as he
spoke he turned the lace back from the
tender throat, and, pointing to it, added
significantly. "Open the jugular VEN;
it is the easiest and quickest way to dl..
Nv grandfather started back amazed
and horror-struck. These were the very
words he had uttered duringone of those
pleasant gatherings at the house of a.
celebrated Neapolitan few days back.
Chow dare you propose to me such
crime?' he exclaimed. 81 am an Eng,
lishman and will not commit murder.
"Pshaw your nation produces, as
many honorable criminals as any other.
To your work, sir, and quickly. If you
have conscientious scruples, remenber
an enforced sin lies lightly on the con-
science lay that comfort to your soul.
No more words, he added peremptorll.y-
not one; this is the time for action.
9" refuse to obey your cruel command.
Let me 60"
The man who had been writing and
until now had taken no part whatever
in the scene that was passing round him,
then rose up and joined the group. Lay
ing his hand lightly on my grandfither's
shoulder, he said:
"There is no escape for you, Doctor;
every moment you hesitate you prolOng
that woman's pain. She must die; and
you can dispatch her with painless
speed"
"What if l refuse? You cannot force
me to commit so foul murder"
He pointed to two swarthy ngures
(either soldiers or liveried servants of
some noble family-my grandfather
could not tell which) who had been
standing motionless by the couch, and
answered:
"Then those faithful fellows will dis
patch YOU, and afterwards dispatch her;
they are not professional, and their work
will be clums;ly done. If the opera
ton will not be performed upon your
patient before the clock strikes you
know your fate; if you are obdurate, re-