Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-05

as q child learns in a year. At the end of Q
fortnight he could walk, feed himself, dress
himself, and was beginning to speak. At
the end of two months he read without diff
Guilty, and wrote good hand. What was
most remarkable, however, his moral nature
had undergone complete transformation;
his vicious instincts had been completely
eradicated. In new environment, treated
with kindness, surrounded by wholesome in
fuences, he became a different man. Now
those vlrtuous predispositions which hered-
ity had implanted in him were vivifed, the
bad left dormant. At the end of the year
he entered as medical student at the Uni
versity of Tubingen; and to-day he is one Of
the Oldest and most respected practitioners
in Frankfort"
"It is like fairy tale-it is marvellous"
said she.
Science abounds in msrvels no less
stupendous," said 1.
"But," she added after a pause, "it is
dreadful to think that the character and the
morality of human being can be Influenced
by mere physical operation like that; to
think that the color of the soul may be
changed by q change in the structure of the
body 1t is enough to convert one to ma
terialism pure and simple; therefore to
cynicism and pessimism."
"Not necessarily" objected. cit only
proves that while it is the tenant of the
body, the soul adapts itself to its hibita-
tion.'
"It would seem to prove that the soul is
not simply the tenant but the slave, the
victim, the creature of the body. Will you
describe your operation to me?"
"You would need a medical education to
follow such a description"
sis it anything like what they call tre-
panning or trephining?"
"But very remotely. A partial fracture
and depression of the bone is caused; but
no particle of it is removed"
"What are the chances of the patients
losing not only his memory but his intelli-
gence-coming out of it simpleton or
maniac?"
Practically none. 1t is as safe an opera
tion as any in which the knife is employed.
Of course, in all operations which involve
the use of the knife, there is a possibility
of serious consequences, of Inflammation,
and so forth, But know of none in which
that possibility is slighter than in this"
And finally. do understand that you
offer to perform your operation upon me?"
"Has not that been the sole purport ofall
that I have said?"
"How much time must elapse after it be-
fore shall be able to take care of myself
again? Before shall have gained sufficient
knowledge to act as responsible and co.h-
petent human being?"
81 should say year. Perhaps more, per-
hsps less. But 1 will say year"
And meantime? How am to be pro-
vided for and taken care Of? And what
what education will 1 receiver"
"You will be provided for and taken care
of here in this house. Ny sister, ten years
younger than I, the kindest and wisest of
women, will be your nurse and your COM
panion. As for your education-it shall be
the best which our means can afford"
"Oh, but ali this talk is in vain. I have
no right to impose myself upon you in that
way"
SIT is not question of right. You i'm
pose nothing upon us. have volunteered
everything. You are answerable for moth
ing"
have said regenersted-as if really born
again?"
eyes"
"What is your name?"
"My name is Benary-Leopold Benary."
III don't know how can ever express my
gratitude to you, Dr. Benary. There is
nothing that can say. But you will un-
derstand it, you will imagine it. Can you,
will you, operate upon me here, now, to-
Iight?"
"0h, you must have some sleep first. 1
will call my sister. She will show you to a
room. Then perhaps tomorrow you will be
in favorable condition"
''It is very late. 1t would be pity 10
disturb your sister. Can you not leave me
to rest here, upon your sofa?"
"No," assured her; 'my sister will much
prefer to have it as have proposed" And
I went upstairs to wake my sister, Miss Jo-
sephine Benary.
ITO be continued nezt Sunday.)
Copyrighted. 1889. by Henry Harland.
Ali rights reserved