The daily gazette., 1877-05-18

days. ffFtfft = ''tNIam . A
Arthur then was the invalid.
"What have here Some of the
internal stuff that you doctors give
your patients. / rather like it, how
ever"
will not repeat what followed. To
all my representations of the terrible
effects of opium, even in its diluted
form, he replied by the most profane
and ridiculous speeches; until I asked
him if he tnok it for pain.
Pain? No. Ihave no pain, except
In this cursed head of mine" He
stopped short, eyed me narrowly. and
said; what game are you playing
now9" in a mocking tone, perfectly
lndescribable, and with hideous
scowl.
None, Arthur, am only anxious
to impress you all with the perfect
folly of attempting to cure pain by
taking stimulants or narcotics daily.
l should be false as man, did I not
warn people against it. / should be
mad to employ such means; especially
for the head"
''Ahl indeed where is the HARM"
| went into long exposition of my
NASWot Dob uootCooCo bClL
ly to the mother-emphaticall de-
nouncing the drug. and begging her
not to employ it. Her look of distress
admonished me that she was dying to
know my opinion of her son, for was
we'll convinced now why she had sent
for me, and who it was she wished me
| to notice.
met her at friends house by her
| own appointment, the same day, and
gave her my view of his case. Eviden.
ly he was worn down by nervoua de-
preston, or instantly had already COM
menced-I was as yet unprepared to
state which.
But, doctor, you heard his langu-
agei"
Ihad indeed, and much worse than
have detailed; but even that, would
not allow was certain evidence. evil
communications corrupt good man
ners," and collegians, l remarked to
her, were not always perfect in that
respect,
She begged me not to let him know
that suspected him of any disease;
yet how was 1 to judge of his state
unless faw him frequently? and how
was to visit him and keep out the
idea that believed something to be
( the matter?
| was spared the trouble of gliding
in between her fears and his displea-
sure. The first thing that met nay
ears the next morning, was the an
nouncemet that Arthur De Wolfe was
taken to the hospital. He had grown
suddenly dangerous in the night, had
attempted his own life and that of his
sister, and neighbors had been sum-
moned who took regular matter of
fact view of his state, and had assum-
ed the responsibility of carrying him
away.
l FASTENED to the house as soon as
possible, for l we'll knew the effect
such an event would have upon the
excited and highly sensitive natures
of the mother and sisters.
No one wept at my appearance, ex-
cepting Agatha-she who was usually
the most cheerful and animated of all,
Madeline bore it with calm look that
some might have thought was indif-
ference but which knew was but the
result of deep, settled grief.
There was no change for the better
in Arthur. So they told me at each of
my numerous calls; for | felt so con-
demned at my false judgment of of
his state, that could not stay away.
No change. 1t was the answer for
many, many long months, which final
ly deepened into years.
Mrs. De Wolfe grew thinner and
weaker, but she had tenacity of life
that suffering could not subdue.
But when Agatha was taken away
in her young loveliness, the mothers
heart broke. The poor girl had mourn
ed for her brother so much that she
bad loosened the springs of life, and
she faded away before they were even
aware that she was in less than usual
health. Three weeks from that time
Mrs. De Wolfe was laid by her side.
L did not see the sisters again for years,
except for farewell visit which made
them two or three months after their
mothers death. A splendid offer to go
to the South tempted me to break up my
connections and accept it. 1 went away
sad about the young girls left thus with
out any protection; and after was well
settled, wrote them twice. 1 received
no answer; and as the years went on, and
cares deepened around my family hearth,
1 own that forgot them. L had no time
for any remembrance. l was in a warm,
unhealthy portion of the South; and sick
ness and death were my daily and night.
ly companions. 1t was only in the depth
of Winter that could and a moment to
think of any one.
L had not been at church for months
but one Sunday morning, when the bells
were reminding me of my remissness-
not voluntary, however, looked on my
tables in the hall, and found not single
order 1t was the first time that they had
been free for a long while; and went to
church.
The clergyman was already in the pull
pit. 1 sat and watched him, perfectly
fascinated by the Resemblance which he
bore to some one L had known. His
black, piercing eyes haunted me through
the sermon. He was eloquent, earnest
and effective 1 did not recognize him
until he came down the aisle after ser
vice, when 1 had fingered behind the
. crowd His step was beside me, his
hand upon my arm.
doctor Rivers?' he said, inquiring
ly.
"Really, my dear sir, L do not know
you, although you seem to know my