Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-10

During my short interview he never once
expressed any regret at this crownlng
calamity, and although fully convinced
that he would never see again, he appeared
in no way distressed"
There were many grave faces and signih-
cant mods as DR.. Benson concluded.
Poor Gabriel, they believed him mad.
Time proved. that neither DIR. Gabrile's ex-
traordinary return of cheerfulness nor his
loss of sight was of a transitory nature; both
were perfectly incomprehensible. There
was one thing, however, evident enough to
the uneducated as we'll as to the professional
sye-it was, that in spite of the great i'm
provement in spirits, our friend'S health
was rapidly and surely failing. This de-
cline was as mysterious as the blindness.
Those who believed they had traced the lat
ter to cerebral lesion, the result of the acci-
dent declared the former to be quite in ac-
cordance with their diagnosis. Whatever1t
was, DR.. Gabriel was steadily sinking.
One day a messenger hurriedly brought
me the following letter from DR.. Benson:
DEAR AIN few hours Gabriel will be no
more. 1 have received from him sealed docu-
ment, in which, he states will be found infor-
nation that may offer some explanation as to
the cause of his blindness. He desires post
mortem examination to be made upon his body
Immediately after death, if possible. He
fully believes that something of unpar-
alleled interest will be discovered should the
examination be carefully conducted. In order
that it may be as complete as possible, he
wishes any abnormal discovery to be at once
photographed. For many reasons lths undesir-
able to employ professional photographer;
Knowing that you have much spare time, /
venture TO feel sure you will assist US in this
matter. If you have no other engagement,
please hold yourself in readiness to start at 3
moments notice.
In haste, yours sincerely,
HENRY BENSON.
readily agreed to give my services when
ever they might be required, and prepared
such apparatus as was accustomed TO use
on similar occasions.
Early one morning DR.. Benson
called for me on his way to
Gabriel's house. He had just re-
ceived information that the poor oculist was
in articulo mortis. We arrived q few
minutes before the end. Quietly we
entered the darkened chamber. How diff
cult it was to believe that those intelligent
eyes, even in these last moments 50 lustrous
and deep, could be absolutely slghtless;
wide open, they were turned as if search
ingly upon the face OF the physician, a.
with his fingers lightly on the patients
hand he leaned over the bed. But there
was no reflection of the doctors grave and
anxious look-a peaceful smile spread over
the handsome features, fickered for D
moment, and then remained stereotyped IN
death.
Sadly we left the room and
Joined a few professional friends who,
like myself, had been invited to attend. DR..
Benson then produced the sealed document
mentioned in his letter, and read aloud a.
follows:
"My experiences during the past few
months have been so abnormal-in every re-
spect so inexplicable and apparently so far
beyond the bounds of human reasoning
that, believing should be regarded as
madman were L to publish them, earnestly
request that the facts which am about to
relate may be hidden from all but those
present at the autopsy, should the examina-
ton of nv dead body fail to bring forth con-
frmatory evidence. It is now many months
since the accident in the Alps severed me
from my dear wife. The sunshine of my ex-
istence was changed to the darkest gloom Of
dependency. No twilight of fading health
broke the suddenness with which the night
fell upon me. My own injuries were not as
serious as have been supposed, and do not
believe my present condition is in any
way connected with them. The brain con-
cussion and shock impaired my mental faeul-