Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-01-28
WRITING FOR LIFE.

cal and I q surgical appointment. We
were both hard worked, often day and
night. Raven looked in good health,
and was very successful; indeed, he
bade fair to rise in short time to great
eminence in the profession. He was
immensely popular with everyone. His
gray hair and bright blue eyes, and
healthy, ford complexion, combined
with frank, open and hearty manner in
speaking, made him friend with every
body, and inspired confidence in all his
patients as well as his friends.
Raven came up to me one day in the
hospital. ave just received a sum-
mons to Exeter" said he. "The family
is wealthy and influential it is now just
$50, and we will go down together.
Send me word during the afternoon if
you can come or not. From what I
know OF the case I've been called to at
tend, I am sure it's more of q surgical
than medical one. l. will be an OK
cellent chance for you, Lawson, and I
can promise you a good fee to begin
with. Therefore, If you can possibly
manage it, meet me at Paddington this
evening. You promise?"
unless something unforeseen should
happen to prevent me, will be at the
station at 9 30"
Raven was dramatically impressive,
thought, as we parted, and I arranged
my work so as to be able to keep my
appointment. I was only in time to
catch Raven, who hastily opened the
door of the railway carriage.
Jump in Jack, jump in. A half
crown to the guard has secured the COM
Partment for us all the way down, so we
shall have it all to ourselves without
fear of interruption. Times up; you
have TO run it fine. Fire away"
He flung my bag and the several
rugs, etc., and he entered. The guard
touched his hat and shut the door with
bang.
This dooris unlocked, guard" said
Eyes, sir-side nearest the platform
is always unlocked. The other door is
locked"
He whistled and the train started.
II can't bear the idea of both do or
being locked" I remarked to Raven.
In case of accident it would be impos.
sible for us to escape from the car
riage."
1T doesn't matter" he said, and then
relapsed into silence.
For about twenty minutes he re-
NAMED opposite to me, sometimes with
his eyes closed, sometimes with them
fixed upon me in the most unpleasant
manner. All my endeavors to draw
him into conversation failed, and after
some time gave them up, and also re-
lapsed into silence.
Suddenly he rose from his seat and
drew from inside his overcoat long
and pointed knife, which flashed ON
inously in the lampight.
Jack Lawson, we must both of us
die tonight" said he, calmly and de-
iberately, without any excitement of
manner. II feel that the time has come
for us both to quit this vale of tears"
Eyes, l quite agree with you, Tom
Raven" I replied-seeing what had
happened-in as calm q voice as his
own. Il have long thought that life
was becoming very undesirable; and, to
leave it in your company, with you, nv
Oldest and warmest friend, would be
the most agreeable thing that could
happen. But-you are not married.
Tom2"
"Thank heaven, mol"
Remember, am married; aud had
you given me notice of this wish of
yours before starting I wonld have
made arrangements and have spoken to
my wife to prepare her. Have you made
your will?"
mo, I have not"
"Good heaven, man, not made your
will Tom, it is absolutely necessary
for both of us to make our wills before
we die. have not made mine, and I
should not like to leave the world with
the chances of my wife and child going
to the work house or to be chargeable
on the parish after my death. You
would wish to leave your money to some
one in particular-is it not so?"
"Of course should like to leave my
money property-ot course-yes. l
never thought of making my will"
"You must also remember, Tom, that
it would never do to die deliberately, in
the way We both wish to die, without
leaving to the world our reason for the
act. You would not wish your name to
be q by-word and be cause of derision
to anyone, am sure; and am certain
l don't wish my own to be so. There
fore We must draw out cur reasons for
dying"
DO you know, Jack, I never thought
Of thatf"
well, then, first put your kr ife down
on the cushion there, and then we will
setto work. I've plenty of paper in my
bag and plenty of lead in MY pencil.
and we've the whole night before u.s."
A tremble of my hand, culver in
my voice would have been fatal. I
opened the bag and drew forth the writ
ing paper. The knife was on the cush.
ion at my side.
"Now, Tom, let us first state our
reasons to the world for wishing to
die tonight by our own hands. If
you will dictate to me your reasons
will write them down, and then We will
revise and correct them. After that I
will dictate my own to you and you
shall write them. We shall be able to
do our work we'll and quickly"
~Quite right Jack; we ought to give
them our reasons. How odd that I never
thought of that! Let me see; if I kill
you first I might write them out after
ward"
@Ah, but who will write out mine?
Don't be selfish, there's good chap"
ITO be sure! Well, are you ready?"
He began debating long and Aowery
sentences. Now and again interrupted
his flow of language to gain time. This
kept him thoroughly occupied and in
terested, while the train sped on at ex-
press rate. He had nearly finished his
long. rambling dictation, when to my
inexpressible delight felt the speed of
the train slaokening. Iknew my chance
of deiverance was near.
Read over for yourself what I have
written" I said to him. "The carriage
is very close-s little fresh air viii do
M oo0d Iwill mako ann oor.ookso,, -.