Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-15
ALMOST GONE:
The Story Of an Affection.
"Sir, are you medical MANI"

"Sir, are you a medical man?"
Suoh was the question suddenly put tc
me by the only other occupant of the
carriage in which was seated, as was
travelling one night to Chester by the
irish mail, some two Or three years ago
He was an elderly man, with gray
hair, handsome features, and somewhat
careworn expression Of face, quick, keen
eyes, and commanding presence.
81 am" [ replied. Scan be of any
service to you?"
He sighed, and paused moment be-
fore replying Then, fixing a pair OF
searching eyes On me, he answered:
"You can beat least, I fancy it is
within your power to be Of service to me
If you will"
And he paused again.
l looked at him narrowly. A fine. tall
well-bullt man. well to do also, Judging
from appearances, and in good health,
tancied, IN spite of that anxious express.
of countenance 50 often noticeable among
mercantile men,
81 shall be happy to obllge you, if it is
within my power" I replied, noticing
how eager he waited for my answer.
"Good.' said he, shortly. II can trust
you. can read faces, and I feel that
you Can be trusted; that what you saw.
you will do. When do you return to
London, for | conclude YOU are London
practitioner"
"Yes," | answered, 'but not in a fash,
lonable quarter" And I smiled. THE
greater part Of nv practice lies around
Holburn-Lamos Conduit Street. Gray's
Inn Road, and that direction"
just So he NODDED. $50 much the
better"
And then he was silent for a moment
and melancholy look passed over his
COuntenanCe.
''You will soon be in London again?
he inquired.
''Ycs; to morrow night" replied.
"And you 90 ito farther than Chester?'
he continued
''Only to Chester, to visit an old friend
and patient professionally" replied.
"Good, again! Now" and ne leaned
forward toward me, 'this is whas want
you to do for me; am leaving England
forever-foreverp'
And he spoke saIemnly.
A@ho l'iiS AcJlcf. A.DM ne drew q
small packet from his breast pocket.
"Don't look at the address till you are in
London. end then deliver it to the person
to whom 1t is directed, with your own
hand. Will you promise me this nav
swear it! And, moreover, promise me to
mention the existence of this packet to
no one till it is in its owners possession.
Nay, do not imagine" he continued, no.
tlclng doubtful expression Ga nv face,
suppose, that am asking you wrong
act. No; on the contrary, by doing what
l ask you will harm no one, but render a
service TO humanity, perform an act it
was my duty to have performed months
ago, and which now, alas i have not
time leit to execute"
And he signed again deeply.
edo you promise?' he inquired, at
length, holding out the letter to me.
81 give you my word of honor to do
what you require" I replied.
'And under no circumstances to repeat
the existence of this packet to any one
till it IS delivered?" he continued, earn
estly.
II swear it!' said solemnly.
'Thank Heaveh!" he muttered. and
gave me the letter, which I immediately
buttoned up in my inner pocket.
'What hour is it," he asked.
[ told him.
"Ah! then in few minutes we shall be
at our journeys end2"
eyes, if the train is up to time" I re-.
piled; "but do you go no further than
Chcster?"
81 think not" he answered, oddly, 81
have no time TO lose. Thank you, Dr.
do not know your name"
"Herbert," interposed.
CDR. Herbert" he repeated bowling,
"thank you for your great kindness. You
will never repent it, come what may.
Now adieu!"
And he shook hands with me heartily,
then moved to the other end of the car
riage, and before could prevent it, and
almost as the train entered the station
drew pistol from his pocket, placed it
against his forehead, and fired, falling
back into my arms corpse.
The report of the pistol, the smoke is
suing from the carriage window, speedily
drew crowd of officials and excited pas
sengers around US, and I was discovered
supporting the dead body in my arms.
A desperate case Of suicide beyond
question. The body was speedily identi-
tied-indeed, there were two gentlemen
travelling by the same train who proved
themselves to be personally acquainted
with the deceased. He was Mr.. fol-
hngsworth, a great merchant, rich and
respected.
An evident case of insanity it seemed
at first sight, for no house in the city was
firmer or better thought of than his.
Yet in one of the dead mans pockets was
found paper in his own hand writing,
In which appeared the following words:
This is to certify that, being ruined, I in
tend to shoot myself-if possible before
reach Chester
"(signed) JOHN HoL11NeswoRrH,
"Dated) Euston Square Station,
"Nov s, 1877"
"strange-very strange!'' said his
friends. Evidently insanity; nothing
else could account for it. When we left
London yesterday evening Hollingsworth
o. 20. were as Solvent as we are"
And they looked around as if, after
such az assertion, lie solTency Of Hill