The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-02-25
THE SURGEONS STORY.

L LII ~ " 1tN lJOlN ~ ~ l. S1V L
l opened 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. 1t 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
a 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 sibiant noise of
sky-rockets, and the attendant pcals
seemed to paralyze the very pulse and
forever silence the heart of the listener.
One bolt descended close by, plowing 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. "a summons on
such night as this! Surely it must be
an urgent case that could not wait until
this most phenomenal of thunder tempcsts
had passed over"
As | left the rear office I could but OBJ
serve the play of the blue lightnings
under the thresholds of the doors, like a
viper writhing in flames of blue vitriol.
So dcafening were tha 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.
l remembered Miss Blanche Hunger
ford, whom had met at several social
gatherings, as being very beautiful and
amiable and beaming star in society.
| found her unconscious, with the fam
lily 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 ovcrpowcrcd her to Inconsistencies.
In his excitement the messenger had
made an erroneous statement Not the
house but stately elm had been struck
and cleft in twain. Miss Blanche had
just opened the door to observe the dire
full aspect Of the hour when the bolt de-
scended and she fell senseess in the hall
way.
The scene at the bedside was a strange
and sadly impressive one. At its foot sat
the venerable Judge Hungerford Ex-
tremc age had impaired his once brilliant
faculties, and he was now nearly an i'm
beetle. At his side stood Mrs. Hunger
ford, a tall, severe-faced woman, wearing
somber, green goggles, while from her
neck hung an ostcntatious 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
certain indcscribablc air of eager watch
| fulncss called to my mind hen eagle,
erect on crag, and could compare her
to nothing else.
was astonished to see in the mother
of the beautiful Blanche such an austcre
and unattractivc person, but my astonish-
ment subsided when / learned that she
was my fair patients stepmother, the
judges second wife.
After performing other duties of my
profession raised the suffering young
lady's head and proceeded to the use of
restoratives.
Soon the beautiful patient opened her
eyes wonderingly, murmured "Thank
youm and then suffered her noble head
to return to the pillow.
''Do you feel pain anywhere2" was
whispered.
She turned her eyes in the direction of
her left shoulder.
raised the sleeve of her robe, and 10 !!
there on that alabaster arm, near the
shoulder, was the perfect imprint of a
tree.
The lightning flash had photographed
upon her fair skin the stricken elm in
miniature!
left further instructions as to the care
of the charming young patient, and then,
in the face of the feeble remonstrance of
Judge Hungerford, l took my departure.
In due time | heard of Blanche Hun
gerford's complete convalescence, and l
must confess the agreeable tidings gave
me pleasure that was not altogether of a
professional character She was such a
sweet patient, and had never forgotten
the look of gratitude she gave me when
she whispered ''Thank your And what