Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-20
THREE MEETINGS.

Having piled up my FIRE with logs, drawn
my table closely to il, spread open my
books Of reference, I was just commencing
treatise from notes made at lecture at
fHopital st. Antoine, Paris, where l was
studying surgery. l was settling to my
work with a delightful sense of comfort as
| heard he rain dashing against my win
dows, when / was disturbed by sharp
ring at the outer door Of my appartement.
Who could it be on such night as this?
jacob, perhaps, come round to smoke a
cigar. Of all my comrades this young
Italian was the only one with whom l had
fraternized but as l felt enthusiastic in NV
task, it was vexatious to be interrupted
even by him. Lamp in hand, opened the
anteroom door. A stranger stood at the
threshold.
Have l the pleasure of addressing Mr.
Philip Secretan?" inquired he in unmis-
taxable English
That is my name" ! replied, not little
surprised. May | ask your business with
me?"
- II is professional"
AAANAi IL 10 AtSClcSS- dlil MOI as Vet
practising, being a student at present.
know it; but you have been recon-
mended to me as the cleverest and most
skillful English one in surgery at your
hospital, and prefer countryman. Can
| come IMP"
Certainly / replied, admitting him,
wondering what he could possibly require.
and how he had heard of me. When he
entered looked at him more attentiyely.
A tall man, holding himself erect, in age
about So, from what | could see of his face,
for he wore a peaked travelling cap drawn
down over his eyes and a scarf pulled up
over his chin he was covered with rain
drops, and placing q soaked umbrella in
the stand he Invested himself of an old
plaid ulster, and | conducted him into my
sitting-room, placing a chair for him near
the fire. Taking off his cap, | saw we'll
featured man, of pale worn complexion,
deeply-set light-Coored eyes, fair hair and
neglected beard, dressed in a travelling suit
very much the worse for wear. He was
self-posseSSed, his voice clear with a metal
lie ring in it. We regarded each other at
tentively
To whom am indebted for this intro
duction, and in what manner can l he of
use to you ?n
That is immaterial"
Pardon me, do not think so.
You, also a young Italian named ia
cobb, were mentioned to me as being al
ready expert surgeons; as | said before,
give the preference to an Englishman. |
require your services for an operation
An operation p l exclaimed Where"
Here. On myself
| regarded him from head to foot with
astonishment.
Yes, on myself If you are disengaged,
now
Again I looked at him in amazement
Was he in his right senses? | wondered
for he appeared perfectly we'll
| will pay ten napoleons for your fee, p"
This is most unprecedented proceed
ing. You must please be a little more ex-
plicit"
For reply he laid a iinely-shaped white
right hand on the table. dislike mans
hand TO be very white; it is unmasculine.
=" Wen ?n | asked
You see this hand; wish to have it
amputated just above TIE wrist"
Amputated p l exclaimed, holding and
examining it. Why, this hand is an ac-
tive, capable member. Whatever do you
mean ?"
What say wish it taken off. If ten
napoleons are not sufficient for the opera
ton name your terms"
Sir" said l, " must decline your offer.
j see no reason whatever for such an OPP
Grafton, and will not undertake it."
Why not2 If | desire it, and am will
ing to pay, what can it signify to YOU pr
There is such thing as principle I
answered, and | refuse to mutilate per
feet limb. must wish you good evening,
begging you to think better of such an in
sane proceeding.
Ny visitor regarded me with an ugly
stare fhprl trlrp cd away Nv ra.ioJ
the scarf ahont his neck, saying defiantlv,
My proceedings are nothing to you
did not come for your advice or your opin-
ion. simply for your professional services.
/ wish you good night, Mr. Secretan, and
regret troubling you"
He stalked through the room, redonned
his ulster, seized his umbrella and made
for the door, which | opened for him. hold
ing my lamp over the handrail to light his
way down stairs. Z" Mad, said | to my
self, as | looked after him. " he must be.
although he did not appear So"
reseated myself at the table, but could
not apply to my task; my strange visitor
had quite unsettled me. Whatever could
be his motive for wishing to undergo such
an operations Would he go to jacob? |
wondered If so, Jacobs ideas on the
subject might be altogether different from
mine; he was immensely clever and skill
1ul, tie CIutiCG vi u AiNlll1 SUBJECT q great
temptation. | resolved to visit him early
the next morning in order to ascertain. I
lodged in the Rue Ste. Marguerite. close 10
my hospital, but Jacob rented small
atelier further away, Tor he was fond of
modelling and a firSt-rate anatouist Jacob
himself opened the door to me. He wore
his canvas apron and sleeves. and held his
modelling tools in his hand. greeting me
with effusion. Personally the young Ital-
ian was direct contrast to myself; small.
spare, agile with Il thin face, sparkling
dark eyes, and a physiognomy of Jewish
cast. in unison with his name.
"Ah, mic Secretano,n he cried before |
had time to mention the object of my visit.
have had such stroke of good fortune I,
Viva have performed my first profess
ional operation. Knowest thou. nv friend
that last nights tempest blew me patient.
and L"
Il do know that is why am here. y
Then | proceeded to give him an account
OF my visitor. And so you performed
the operation said in conclusion. "Oh.
Jacobi how could you do it? He is mad. y
Not he," answered Jacob " he is more
awake than either you or /. If be wished
to be rid of hand what them 1t was his
affair. Per eorpo Iii Bacooi Scruples have
] none. / remembered, milo Secretano
that you English commit suicide in No.
Yember This signor let himself off easier
How did he stand the operation pr
Unfiinchingly. Doubtless he had his
reasons. What are they 10 me? 7eReY in
boccG and take the fee is my maxim. |
lighted all my lamps, selected my best in
struments; To- it was not ten minutes do
ing; and behold, ten napoleons y
How did he hear of US, Jacobi?''
Reveal he would not. / was curious TO