Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-10-30
FROM NORTH MOUNTAIN
A Case Of .sBlack Tongus.v
To the Editors Of the Independent:
NORTH MOUNTAIN,
October %. 1875.

October %, 1875.
The account given by your He'd
gesville correspondent Of the '.sell''
on u certain well-known physician
of that place, In mistaking Il case
of Mysteries for "hyslraphOhia,v
has recalled another we'll vOuched
for story about the same disciple or
Eucalyptus. Although IL IL bsSad
on an actual occurrence which dates
a number of years ago, II has new
er been in print.
The story have In mind runs
thus: A certain Deputy Sheriff,
equally as well known rs the Loo.
tor referred TO, who was then iiv-
ing on what Is known as the Cuu-
ingham farm on the Warm Spring
road, was taken sick aud the DOC
tor was sent for. After he had
been attending him sometime, dur
ing which he had given the strict
esl orders As TO Diet, his patient
nevertheless yielded to the temp
tation to indulge in some fruit
The variety he craved, and par
took of, was pretty we'll co!ored--
huckelberry pie or something OF
that sort. Just after he had eaten
Of 1t, the doctor called. Having
seated himself beside the heal, he
went through the usual tests Of
feeling his pulse ami looking at
his tongue. The moment the pa
tient put out his tongue the doc
tors countenance was seen To fall.
He seemed thunder-struck. Sit
ting in silence for u moment, us II
in deep aud serious thought, he
suddenly arose, left the sick room.
mounted his horse and started to-
ward Hedgesville, without leaving
any medicine or directions.
The doctor was soon observed to
turn toward Falling Water church.
lie went directly to the residei CO
of the venerable mother Of his pa.
tieat, living near that place. On
his arrival there he announced to
her that her SON had an attack Of
the "black tongue" and that il
she desired 10 see him alive, she
had better hurry 10 his bedside.
for in his opinion he cuultl not live
long. The old lady, sad aud sOr.
rowful. rs may be imagined, at
such unwelcome news, caused her
self to be driven with all possible
speed To her sons residence. On
her arrival there she rushed into
the house, exclaiming. my son,
can IL be true that you have the
black tongue The reply, which
WAS piven without the suspicion
that the call was one of unusual
concern, was. yes, mother, have
putting out his tongue, "fOr have
been eaiingsOnIe pie that has made
II look 80" She having explained
that she had come, ut the instance
of the doctor, to see him die, a.
she feared from what he tal told
her, of the "black tongue" the pr
tient hurst out in a laugh, seeing
the situation In all its ludicrous.
ness.
The story sent you by yonr He'd
gesvi!le CORRESPONDENT, .Ppripa-
teiic," was a good onp--as true too
~ good. ~ know. from It's hav-
ing occurred NEAR here. 1t has af-
fortled great deal Of amuse.. ent
at the expense of the doctor c0u-
ccsned. But think .ba one now
send, heats il IL in not generally
known, although II occurred some
time ago, as have said never
having bpen published tefore. per-
haIbs hecau-e there WAS no "Perip-
atetic" around then. Although a
friend nfthe Doctors, cannot al
low The victim of the .hlncK tongue
to monopolize so & nod thing any
longer. PIEDMONTEk.