River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-01-20
4 SURGEONS MYSTERY.

Success viii bless What err you do
4 SURGEONS MYSTERY.
II was near the holidays in the Cres-
cent City. The Charity Hospital was
oyer-crowded with patients, but the
younger members of the faculty had
been granted few weeks leave of alb
sencc. 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 chiefof surgeons remained
every night till linear the morning hours.
This was an unusual thing with DR..
Dardcnne, for the oldest employee of
the hospital could not remember when
the doctor had staid over night in the
institution. DIR. Dardenne was Il very
tall very straight man, with iroa-gray
hair, Il gray mustache, dark com pick
ION, and black eyes; in short, the APP
pcarance of Frenchman with the
manners and characteristics of an Eng
hshman. His every attitude was midi
Cative of great nervous energy and in
tellectual power, while his firmly closed
lips and over shadowing brOws express
ed, in the language of the street, that
he wouldn't DO to fool WITH" but
could be counted on in 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 Chair V Hos
pital, were grouped together in the
waiungro room of the building, learnedly
discussing the method and probable re-
suits of the operation. At last, one of
the number observed that DIR. 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. Hes in a good humor
tonight, and our opportunity may
not occur again soon What do you
saw"
They all agreed, but it was easier to
agree than to act in connection there
with, for DR.. Dardenne, though kind
and gentle us a woman was always dig
nified and unapproachable.
4 long silence cnsued, 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 Dr. DardenDe suddenly
turned upon them with
.'WeIl, young gentlemen! What is
on your minds, and why are you 80
quiet this evening"
Doctor said Jennings, there has
been a whispered story concerning
yourself and the hospital, and the Cos
siping students have made a 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 a
large arm chair and burst into a loud
laugh.
The students were startled.
There was something so unnatural,
unearthly and unreal in the doctors
laugh that the mystery was immedi-
ately decpcncd, and the students in
voluntarily drew their chairs closer to-
gethcr
1T Is wonderful" said the doctor,
"how hospital traditions survive. Why.
had supposed that old story forgotten
wears ago by all save l. | 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 | was a student
myself, but an assistant surgeon also,
in cases of emergency, and that is how
came 10 sleep III 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 ut the southwest corner was the
door which led into the hall. | am
thus particulars To the details, because
Il remembrance of them Will enable
YOU to better understand my story.
1T was my privilege at that time to
engage in some outside practice, and
one nigl was called some distance
in the city To see Il patient. | had Oc-
cupicd my own time in going and re
turning. and thus it was that | reached
my room i'm the hospital about eleven
O'Clock in the evening.
Then, as now. | was n devotee of
tobacco. and it was with a sense Of
relief and qualification, that ! lit my
pipe and lIy down upon the bed to
smoke. 1t is indistinct in my memory
how long | lay there. but it must have
been half an hour, and all my senses
were as acute and active as at this
moment.
suddenly permitted my hand and
arm to fall over the edge OF the bed,
and to my establishment another hand
closed upon mine with vise-hke grip,
1t was a cold, bloodlesS hand, and |
recognized in all its outlines the hand
of 4 corpse. Though | say II myself l
had the reputation in those days of be
ing Young man of great personal
courage. and | Immediately regalned
my wonted equanimity. but before /
could fully recover from my astonish-
ment. the hand was gone.
"All the superstitious tales of a life
time crowded into my brain. and / lay
there wondering from what ON earth
that queer circumstance could have
originated. With Disqualification |
was growing little nervous reached
down and felt about the floor for the
hand. but 1t could not be found, and
was still more mystefed. Again and
again | reached under the bed as far rs
POSSIBLE from my reclining position, but
each time without success.
This constant failure TO renew my ex-
narience with the bloodless hand nerv-
"a me to my usual composure. linen
| arose and proceeded to make an IN
vestigation, and | was not at al sur
prised to find underneath the bed the