Connecticut western news., 1886-03-03
THE SURGEONS STORY.

A"o M V 4eO hO4N O O J O11 l |
 1opened the window of my office and looked out upon the distant lightning, at its awful, red rehearsal in the inky west. Neither rumbling thunder nor furious dash of wind nor volleys of hail proclaim ed the advance of the marvellous midsum- mer tempest. It came on silently, and the lightning blades were doing their deadly work with the flash and silence of steel.
 The area of the storm covered less than mile, and the altitude of the cloud could not have been more than half of that distance. Once overhead the mighty cloud came to an ominous pause before pouring forth its varied forms of vengeance. Then the bolts began to rush through the air with the sibilant noise of sky-rockets, and the attendant peaIs seemed to paralyze the very pulse and forever silence the heart of the listener One bolt descended close by, blowing in its vivid progress oblong gulfs in an ap- pie orchard, as if digging graves for its prospective victims; and during all this glare and din my night bell rang furious ly.
 ''What" thought l. GA summons on such night as this! Surely it must be &n urgent case that could not wait until this most phenomenal of thunder tempests had passed over"
 As left the rear office could but ob- serve the play of the blue lightnings under the thresholds of the doors, like a viper writhing in flames of blue vitriol. So deafening were the wild demon strations of nature that the messenger could hardly make himself understood, but learned at length that the house of Judge Hungerford had been struck and that Miss Blanche Hungerford had been dangerously prostrated by the shock.
 I remembered Miss Blanche Hunger ford, whom I had met at several social gatherings, as being very beautiful and amiable and beaming star in society.
 found her unconscious, with the fam fly grouped about her in tears. My first thought was disagreement. But she seemed too superlatively lovely for the blasting touch of lightning; but she was safe from this dread physical evil. The binding flash and terrific thunder peal had overpowered her to inconsistencies.
 In his excitement the messenger had made an erroneous statement Not the house but a stately elm had been struck and cleft in twain. Miss Blanche had just opened the door to observe the dire ful aspect of the hour when the bolt de- scended and she fell senseless in the hall way.
 The scene at the bedside was strange and sadly impressive one. At its foot sat the venerable Judge Hungerford. Ex- treme age had impaired his once brilliant faculties, and he was now nearly an i'm 6eoiIe At his side stood Mrs. Hunger ford, a tail, severe-faced woman, wearing somber, green goggles, while from he1 neck hung an ostentatious medal, indi- eating her membership of some reform association.
 The impression this remarkable woman made upon me is lifelong and unfading. The combination of artificial green eyes, perfectly erect and inhexible attitude, narrow head, with aquiline nose, and s
 .x,l ,IoI 1r fulness called to my mind hen eagle erect on a crag, and could compare hel to nothing else.
 was astonished to see in the mother of the beautiful Blanche such an austert and unattractive person, but my astonish ment subsided when I learned that sht vas my fair patients stepmother, the judges second wife.
 After performing other duties of my profession I raised the suffering young hdy'- head and proceeded to the use e1 festoratives
 Soon the beautiful patient opened hel yves wonderingly, murmured 'Thanl you!n and then I suffered her noble hea6 -sreturn to the pillow.
 'sDo you feel pain anywhere9" was whispered.
 She turned her eyes in the direction o her left shoulder.
 raised the sleeve of her robe, and To there on that alabaster arm, near tn, shouk CT, was the perfect imprint of { tree.
 The lightning flash had photographed upon her fair skin the stricken elm il miniature!
 l left further instructions as to the car of the charming young patient, and then the face of the feeble remonstrance o Judge Hungerford, took my departure
 In due time heard of Blanche Hun gerford's complete convalesceuce, and must confess the agreeable tidings gay he pleasure that as not altogether of profession T character She was such kwest patient, and had never forgotte nlqok of gratitude she gave me whe SAoxAipersd ~Thank youw And whs