St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-03-14
WRITING FOR LIFE.
Presence of Mind in the Face of a
Great Danger.

Raven and were at the same hospi-
tai, st. Lazarus, where he held medi-
cal and surgical appointment We
were both hard worked, often day and
night. Raven looked in good health
and was very successful; indeed, ne
babe fair to rise in short time to great
.eminence in the profession. lie was
immensely popular with every one. His
gray hair and bright blue eyes and
healthy, forid complexion, combined
with a frank, open and hearty manner
in speaking, made him friend with
everybody, and inspired confidence in
all his patients as well as his friends.
Raven came up to me one day in the
hospital. "rve just received a sum-
mons to Exeter said he. 1.-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 l
know of the case I've been called to at
tend / am sure it's more of surgical
than a medical one. It will be an ex-
cellent chance for you, Lawson, and l
can promise you a good fee to begin
with. Therefore, if you can possibly
manage it, meet me at Paddlngton this
evening You promises"
'sUnless something unforeseen should
happen to prevent me, will be at the
station at $3.50.
Raven was dramatically impressive, I
thought, as we parted, and | arranged
my work so as to be able to keep my
appointment I was only just in time
to catch Raven, who hastily opened the
door of the railway carriage.
ssJump in, Jack, Jump in. A half
crown to the guard who secured the
compartment for us all the way down,
so we shall have it to ourselves with
out fear of interruption. Times up;
YOU have to run it fine. Fire away!
He flung in my bag and the several
rugs, ETC., and he entered. The guard
touched his hat and shut the door with
"T6is door is unlocked guard, !"
said i.
Eyes, sir-side nearest the platform
is always unlocked. The other door is
locked. z
He whistled and the train started.
at can't bear the idea of both doors
being locked,n I remarked to Raven.
ssIn case Of accident it would be i'm
possible for us to escape from this car
rage
3It doesn' tmatter," 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 most unpleasant
manner. All my endeayors to draw him
into conversation failed, and after some
time gave them up and also relapsed
into silence.
b Suddenly he rose from his seat and
drew from inside his overcoat a long
and pointed knife, which flashed omin-
ously in the lamplight.
slack Lawson, we must both OF US
die tonight, y said he, calmly and de-
1iberately, without any excitement OF
manner. 81 feel that the time has
come for us both to quit this vale OF
tears. !"
s.Yes, / quite agree with you, Tom
haven, 1CE1lSu. swung AA~"
happened-in as calm a 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
Tom?"
THANK Heaven, no"
ssRemember, am married; and had
you given me notice of this wish o.
YOURS before starting | would have
made arrangements and have spoken
to NV wife to prepare her. Have yor
made your Will9n
"No; have not
.Good Heaven, man, not make YOU
will! Tom, it is absolutely necessary
for both of us to make our will before
we die. have not made mine, and
should not like to leave the world Wltf
the chances of my wife and child going
to the work-house or to be chargeaDlt
ON the parish after my death. 1ot
would wish to leave your money q
some one in particulars it not sos
ssOf couse should like to leave M
money property-of course
never thought of making my will.