Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-01-20
A SURGEONS MYSTERY.

1t was near the holidays in the Ores
cent City. The Charity Hospital was
oyer-croWded with patients, but the
younger members of the faculty had
been granted q few weeks leave of alb
sence. 1t seemed the poor of New Or
leans had chosen the most inopportune
time to fall victims to accident, casu-
atty and disease; SO much SO, that the
older physicians were scarcely permit
ted to leave the building, and the old,
gray-haired chief of surgeons remained
every night tillnear the morning hours.
This was an unusual thing with DR..
Dardenne, for the oldest employee of
the hospital could not remember when
the doctor had staid over night in the
institution. DIR. Dardenne was a very
tall, very straight man, with iroH-gray
hair, q gray mustache, dark complex
ion, and black eyes; in short, the APP
pearance of a Frenchman with the
manners and characteristics Of an Eng
lishman. His every attitude was indi-
cative of great nervous energy and in
tellectual power, while his firmly closed
lips and over Swallowing brows express
ed, in the language Of the street, that
che wouldn't do to fool with" but
could be counted on in Il daring en-
Urgency.
On this particular night, several stu
dents, who had been assisting at a
surgical operation, performed upon
one of the patients of the CHAR y Hos
pital, were grouped together in the
waiting-room of the building, learnedly
discussing the method and probable re-
suits of the operation. At last, one of
the number observed that DR.. Dardenne
had entered the room, and was nerv-
ously pacing up and down the floor.
Il say, jennings" said student,
''now is our time TO get at old Darden-
mes mystery. He's in a good humor
tonight, and our opportunity may
not occur again soon What do you
say?"
They all agreed, but it was easier to
agree than to act in connection there
with, for DR.. Dardenne, though kind
and gentle as a woman, was always dig
nitied and unapproachable.
A long silence ensued, which was
only disturbed by the doctors firm,
quick tread, as he continued his jour
ney.to and fro. At length the students
lit the gas jets upon the large centre
table and seated themselves. Then
they waited, and when the silence grew
oppressive DIR. Dardenpe suddenly
turned upon them with:
''Well, young gentlemen! What is
on your minds, and why are you so
quiet this evening""
Doctor" said Jennings, "there has
been a whispered story concerning
yourself and the hospital, and the Cos
siping students have made wonderful
mystery of it. Now, sir, if not intrud-
ing upon your privacy, we would be
pleased to hear the story from your
own lips"
The doctors face hardened in an in
slant, and his step grew quicker as he
listened to the students questioning,
presently he threw himself into 8
large arm chair and burst into loud
laugh.
The students were startled.
There was something SO unnatural,
unearthly and unreal in the doctors
laugh that the mystery was immedi-
ately deepened, and the students in
voluntarily drew their chairs closer to-
gether.
1T is wonderful" said the doctor,
chow hospital traditions survive. Why
l had supposed that old story forgotten
years ago by all save |. [ shall never
forget it. Let me see. 1t happened
just twenty-eight years ago this month.
The hospital of that day was our
present hospital, and l was a student
myself, but an assistant surgeon also,
in cases of emergency, and that is how
l came to sleep in the building.
The room | occupied was in the
northeast corner, on the third floor.
1t was a large room with two windows
in front and one at the side. My bed
was placed in the northwest corner,
and at the southwest corner was the
door which led into the hall. l am
thus particular as to the details. because
a remembrance of them will enable
you to better understand my story.
'It was my privilege at that time to
engage in some outside practice, and
one night was called some distance
in the city to see a patient. [ had oc-
cupied my own time in going and re-
turning, and thus it was that | reached
my room in the hospital about eleven
O'Clock in the evening.
"Then, as now, was a devotee OF
tobacco, and it was with a sense o.
relief and qualification, that I lit my
pipe and lay down upon the bed tC
i smoke. 1t is indistinct in my memory
how long l lay there, but it must have