Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-05-24
THE DEATH.CLOCK.
And my soul from out the shadow
That lies floating on the floor
Shall he liffad-Nnyarmoro

S.'AN ~. '"A law, AAIAuS Wu1tc,
shapely hand, as he spoke, and pointing
to the clock that stood on the marble man
tie.
The wintry day was drawing to close {;
since early morn the snow had been
steadily falling, and now all outside was
shrouded in white. The sun was setting
behind bank of dull gray clouds, and
the sombrc twilight Of a winters day,
like pail, had fallen upon the city.
I had just finished visiting my patients,
and, in response to note left at nv office
that afternoon from DR.. Vargrave, had
called to see him.
II shall die tonight as that clock strikes
H." repeated the Doctor, as seated my
self before the cheerful fire, that roared
and sparkled in the CRATE.
was too astonished to speak,-fre-
quently in my somewhat extended prac
tice l had encountered persons who, from
some real fancied cause, had quite made
up their minds to die, but to meet with
this declaration from a person like DIR.
Vargrave was astounding. at first was
under the impression the Doctor was
oking, but, knowing how totally foreign
such levity was to his character, az
glancing at his face, which was perfectly
grave, saw the words were sincere.
II see I surprise you," said the Doctor
rising from his chair and advancing to
the fire. II see surprise you. and no
wonder, but I feel it is to be so. When
the last stroke of the twelve dies away,
my soul will have departed: where?- who
knows? Perhaps to flash out as a flame
is extinguished, and all is dark, OF, per-
chance, as the poet sings:
"'Far into the dreamy land of song
My soul did float, as bird storm-tosscd,-
Lashcd, and beaten, and all but lost.
Reaches haven safe at last
From the hungry waves and the biting blast:
Reaches haven, to drift along
With haf-closed eyes, nor fear, nor care,
From dangers past, to come, or wherc.'"
The doctor paused, and, leaning his
arm on the mantel, stood gazing down at
me.
"Can this be madness?" l thought; but
no, the handsome face was calm, and the
dark eyes that met mine, though filled
with mournful light, we're not those of
a mailman.
II am at loss to understand the mean
ing of your words, Doctor" said l after
some moments of silence. "Were it any
but DR.. Vargrave had such a fancy,
should recommend blister to the back
of the head, and the other remedies use in
cases of cerebral disorder"
| A cold smile swept across my comDall.
ions face, and he changed his position
half impatiently.
"But surely, Doctor resumed, "thcre
is some mystery here; see you in the
prime of life, full of health, and with q
name already famous in the world ot
science; possessing all these, is it won.
der do not understand your meaning
when you calmly say you will die to:
night as that clock strikes twclve?"
You shall know all, my FRIEND" said
the Doctor, crossing the room and touch
ing small silver bell on the table; I" you
shall know all, and I'm sure my conf
dence in you will not be misplaced"
The door opened, and the Doctors ser
want, bright-looking creole boy en-
tered.
Is supper ready, Queto?"
| eyes, Sen0r," replied the lad.
"Come, Doctor, let us us to SUPPER
said my companion, dismissing the bO,
with wave of his hand; strange as j
may seem, I have quite an appetite fo
this last meal of mine.',
In dazed way I followed this strange
man, who, from some cause, had evidentl,
made up his mind to die at the stroke O
IL that night, and vino yet seemed as un
concerned and self possessed as if hi
lease of life was to extend for many years
in place Of a short five hours,-for rs w
entered the cozy dining room heard tn
clock in the room we had vacated strik
seoea in clear, silvery tones.
The Doctors appetite was certainl,
good, although l noticed he ate only .
the most delicate food, ana the decante
of choice wine he scarcely touched. A
for myself, it was with difficulty I coul,
swallow morsel, and 1 was much re
lieved when we rose from the table, ant
again ascendcd to the other room.
"You will excuse me for time" siat
the doctor, as at his invitation I seatc,
myself. II have some papers which
wish to collect, and place in your hands
When return you shall have q full ex
planation of this mystery, as you call it
during my absence you can amuse your
self with the books" and he pointed to
lofty case full of valuable works, which
had before noticed. .... i,...
Left to myself, I lighted a choice ciga
from the box the, doctor had placed be
fore me, and, drawing the note I had re
ceived that afternoon from my pocket
} proceeded to read it. It was rs follows
To DR.. Home,-MY FRIEND: Come t
me this afternoon at 6, and, if possibl
arrange your business that you ma
spend the night with me. Truly,
!. .-ss., HENRY VARaRAvE.
My acquaintance with DR.. Vargrav
. had commenced some six months pre
! vious, and in several delicate operation
he had been kind enough to ask my a.
sistance. Rich, handsome, and evidentl
: of . high family, the Doctor had bee
much sought after by the leaders (
: society. Entirely devoted, however,
his profession, he was but little known g,
cept through his practice. ;..s,
l read and re-read the note, but coul
> find no reason in it for the strange phras
} the Doctor had several times repeate.
II shall die tonight as that clock strik.
49," '=.