Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-09-24

THE GHOSTS SUMMONS.
A Physicians Story.

IL was in the early days of my professional
career, when patients were scarce and scarccr,
and, though | was in the act Of sitting down
to my chop, and had promised myself glass
of stcaming punch afterward, in honor of the
Christmas season, hurried instantly into my
surgery. | entered briskly, but no sooner
did | catch sight Of the figure standing
against the counter than | started with a
strange feeling of horror which for the life
of me could not comprehend
Never shall forget the ghastincss of that
iace-the white horror stamped upon every
leature-the agony which seemed TO sink the
very eyes beneath the contracted brows, il
.vas rsy~ss,, ,oagpc 70 bel1hlu, accuFOmed as
| was to scenes Of terror
"You seek advceY" | began with some
hesitation.
mo, | am not ill.,"
"You require then"
"lIush p he interrupted, approaching more
nearly, and dropping his already low muir
muir TO a mere whisper. 81 believe you are
not rich. Would you be willing to earn a
thousand pounds?"
A thousand pounds His words seemed
to burn my very ears.
81 should be thankful if could do so hon
estly," replied, with dignity. "What is the
service required of me-"
A peculiar look of intense horror passed
over the white face before me; but the blue,
black lips answered firmly, "ro attend IA
death-bed"
"a thousand pounds TO attend death
bed Where am ! to 60, then whose is it ~
"Mine."
The voice in which this was said sounded
so hollow and distant that Involuntary
shrank back. "Yours what nonsense You
are not dying man. You are pale, but you
appear perfectly healthy. YOU"
"Iush y he interrupted 81 know all this
You cannot be more convinced Of my ply
steal health than | myself, yet | know that
before the clock tolls the first hour after
midnight shall be dead man"
But"
lie shuddered slightly; but stretching oui
his hand cominandingly motioned me 10 be
silent 81 am hut too well informed Of what
| affirm he said quietly; 81 have received
"A mysterious summons from the dead. No
mortal aid can avail me. | am as doomed
as the wretch on whom the Judge has
passed sentence. | do not come either 10
seek your advice or 10 argue the matter with
you, but simply To buy your services. Of
fer you 81 900 to pass the night in my:cham.
Der, and witness the scene which takes place
The sum may appear to you extravagant
But have no further need TO count the cost
of my qualification and the spectacle you
will have to witness is no common sight Of
horror"
The words, strange as they were, were
spoken calmly enough but as the last SEN
tence dropped slowly from the ivid lips and
expression of such wild horror again passed
over the strangers face, that, in spite Of the
immense fec, / hesitated 10 answer.
"You fear 10 trust the promise Of dead
man Sec here, and be- convinced, he ex-
claimed, eagerly, and the next instant, on
the counter between us, lay parchment
document, and, following the indication Of
that white, muscular hand, | read the words
"And to Mr. Frederick Read, Of IA High
strect Atom, / bequeath the sum Of E1O0O
igr certain service rendered TO me"
y have llad that will drawn up within
The iht twenty.lour hours, and | signed ii
aif hdyr ago, in the presence Of competent
eltRcssc am prepared, you see. Now,
% you aesSpt my offer, or notT
+. Ny answet was to walk across the room
and take dowhmy hat, and then lock the
door Of DE surgery communicating with
the house,
IL waSa dark, icy.cold night, and some.
how Tho courage and determination which
The .gl Of my own name iiJ connection
=, with flAoo had began 10 flag considerably
Va 7 fouad myself hurried along through
the piout darkness by man whose death
bed wm aboutto attend lie was griinly
silent, but A. his hand touchca mine, IN
spite a the lpsi, ftfelr liz a burning coal
On We wmt--tnmp, tramp. through h'
snow--d gDn till even / grew r. y an,
at length on my appalled, car ~ * th'
chimes kss,schurcl, clock, while .ae q
hand d. Flushed the snow hillocN,h
aM