Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1886-05-29
She turned her eyes in the direction Of

T / TaIocu the SlecFc OF ncT rOoc, ana TO.
there on that alabaster arm. near the
shoulder, was the perfect imprint of a
tree
The lightning fash 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 IF the feeble femonstrancc Of !
Judge Hungcrford, took my departure
In due time heard Of Blanche Hun
gcrford's complete convalcscence, and | |.
mus. cenies, =, agreeable tidings gave
me pleasure that was not altogether of a
professional character. She was such
sweet patient, and | had never forgotten
the look of gratitude she gave me when
she whispered Thank you" And what
is more dclighting to mans heart than
a grateful expression from beautiful
woman!
An increase of reputation opened up a
way for me to what | had SO long and
ardently desired-a city practice. l be-
came associated with the distinguished
and beloved DR.. Bartho lomew. and upon
his deceasc | succeeded to his large and
lucrative medical clientage.
: Upon several occasions | had conferred
with my esteemed professional brethren
upon the subject of lightning photogra-
ply, and, mentioning no names, out of
delicate motives, cited the case of a
handsome young woman who was pros
trated by the electric fluid. The bolt
blasted contiguous elm tree, and the
tree was perfectly and artistlcally photo
graphed upon her arm. | found that
cases were not unfrequent where inani-
mate objects had been photographed by
lightning upon animate ones. One sur
gcon vouched for case where black
oak, thunderriyen, was photographed
upon the flank of white horse.
Musing upon this subject one cold win
ter evening, | was summoned to the door
by the captain of the police precinct.
His business was thrilling and altogether
too sorrowful. The fast express, behind
time and running a mile a minute, had
been derailcd by displaced switch on
the outskirts Of the city
The destruction and mutilation had
been frightful The St. Mary's hospital
was filled with the wounded, and the Of
ticers of the police were expeditiously
summoning a corps of city surgeons.
The scene, at the hospital was indcscrib-
able-and, indeed, if describablc, there
would be but little profit in the portrayal
of slch misery. An eager crowd, many
of whom had friends in the Inflated train,
had assembled. Prudence compelled the
closing Of the doors against them, but
their anxious, tragic faces were visible at
| the windows looking as if the catastro-
phd had impaired common expression
to them all Nurses and stewards were
hurrving here a,,1 there with subdued
footballs. Now. there is no preference
among surgeons st such a time. Go to
work at once and render assistance to the
nearest case at hand is the rule.
heard low moan at my feet. It
came from the lips of woman. look
ed upon the cot. Such lovely, but
pain -vcxed. countcnance! 1t was "a case
of fractured arm compound fracture
and the attendant fever had already set
in. The wounded member OF that grace
full body must be set at once. l cXamin-
ed the broken arm. Stars Of fate! Near
the shoulder was a miniature tree Ny
beautiful patient was again Blanche Hun
gcrford
need not tell you with what consum-
mate tenderness | handled that shapely
arm; but could not avert the delirum
that followed the fever. Sad as it was to
see her dclrious, | could not suppress q
thrill of JOY when She more than once
pronounced my name. In ten days the
fever tide slowly turned and death had
spared the beautiful from the worms oi
the dtSt.
Her first whispered words, as of old,
were Thank you'
| have before asked this question
What is more delighting to man.
heart than a grateful expression from a
beautiful woman.'
now answer it. \ grateful expres-
sion from beautiful woman, mingled
with q look Of love And read
Love in her luminous eyes.
When Blanche was nearly recovered
said II her:
Ny darling, lightning and calamity
brought lis together. Let love and sun
shine prevent our parting,
And she only murmured, in the dear
old way, Thank you and then l fell
| har fair -hTra