The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-10-29

For all the labor of thy heavy days;
Alas that man must ever toll and live
Waiting for eternity to praise. L.C.
A PHYSICIANS ADVENTURE.
Late on an afternoon, in the au
tumn of 1S45, on returning to m
office after visiting some patients
| found this note lying on th
table:
DIR. JAMES: Will you do me tn
favor to call at my office this even
ing before retiring? | have some
thing of importance to communi
cate.
Yours truly,
j. L. GARRETsoN, M. D."
The office that / occupied was il
a large, old-fashioned building
since torn down, on Arch street
Philadelphia. 1t was large, doubl,
mansion. l occupied the right par
lor as an Office in conjunction with
a young dentist, while DR.. Garret
son. who owned the house, occupied
the left.
DR.. Garretson at that time was 6
man about thirty-five, though he
looked ten years older. He was
rather tall. and slim in figure, with
a face that had once been handsome
though this was nearly obliterated
by trouble, sickness, or something
else.
Though with the reputation OF
being skilled physician, his solita.
ry habits kept the fraternity from
seeing much of him. Indeed, he was
the most seclusive man that l ever
met.
Having had my Office for three
years under the same roof with DR..
Garretson, and in all that time not
having exchanged a dozen words
with him, of course l was surprised
on reading his note.
My friend, the dentist, retiring
about seven o'clock, / finished my
business for the evening, and knock
ed at the doctors door.
A voice bid me enter.
opened the door. The shutters
were closed, and there was lamp
burning on the table. The doctor
HIS nsi3aS pacedUehhu dnIz -
went in.
As / was turning around to close
the door l received a heavy blow
from behind, which stunned me !;
though ! seemed to have faint rec
objection of the doctors turning the
key in the door, and then binding
me.
Be this as it may, however, l
knew. when / recovered, l was
bound hand and foot. and so tight
ly that l could not stir. while l was
securely gagged by large handker-
chief being stuffed in my mouth,
and then being firmly tied behind
my neck.
could neither stir nor speak all
| could do was to listen and trem-
bic, for l suspected the doctor in
tended taking my life.
/ was speedily reassured, how
ever.
"You have nothing to fear, DR..
James," said the doctor, who had
taken a seat near the table, while he
had placed me on chair near the
door. Il mediate no harm to you.
| am sorry was compelled to hurt
you, but l had no other method of
accomplishing my object. Before
we proceed to business, | will exam
inc the wound gave you."
So saying he took the scissors and
cut the hair away from the neigh
borhood of the wound. He then
bathed my head and placed cool
ing lotion on it.
There" he said, as he finished,
Il think you'll not suffer much
from It now"
The doctor, for some time after he
had fixed the wound. did not speak.
but continued pacing the room in
deep thought.
1t was raining outside, and there
was little noise in the street. All
was quiet save the ticking of the
clock and the noise of the doctor &
feet. | can recall my feelings as |
sat there, bound hand and foot and
mouth, waiting for him to speak.
At last he stopped his walk,
and taking a seat near me, be-
gan:
Il have a confession to make to-
night. The confession must not be
told till | am dead. After the con-
fession | intend to hang myself
The door will be broken in in the
morning, and you will be released.
This will explain my conduct to-
ward you this evening.
"You have known me, believe,
for about three years. You have
heard me spoken of as a strange
man; you think l am a strange
man. When you have heard my
story you will know what made
me SO.
my father vas wealthy cotton
planter was an only son. Aftel
being pampered and spoiled at home
/ till my conduct was unbearable t.
all that came in my way, | was sem
to college in one of the Northern
States and afterward transferred te
the University of Pennsylvania
where l studied medicine and il
due time graduated with higf
honor.
my fathers money soon place.
me in a respectable position as {
doctor in one of our large Southern
cities. In a short time l had gainet
an extensive practice.
With one of the families / cam,
lin contact dwelt a young woman
named Laura Meyer. She was em
ployed as governess, but her beau
ty aud other attractive qualities VOL
her a place in the hearts of thos,
with whom she resided, and sh
was treated more as a daughthe
than a governess of their chill
dren.
uEata os "A voye threw me con