River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-12-11


adrOitness and co0lness that would do
credit 10 the shrewdest sane person.
This incident occurred. actually as re-
lated, one Of the parties 10 il having
been a prominent surgeon in the United
States army
When ny regiment vas disbaHded
babe adieu TO my old comrades and 10
the army. and commenced business in
the fiourishing town OF l.
As was starting for the supper-tahle.
on the evening Of the third day after
my arrival, the door-bell rang violently,
aud soon the boy came IN and said that
man wanted to see the doctor. The
visitor was standing b. the fire when
entered. lie WAS tall, powerful man
"A perfect giant compared 70 my five
feet six and his great bushy black
hair an whiskers were well fitted 10
the mOnstrous form.
If you at liberty, Doctor" said he,
please come with me Y IS hat few
steps and You will not need a carriage"
put on my coat and hat and followed
him. II was my first call in L., and
foudly hoped il was the foreruaner Of
many others
The man strobe ahead of me all the
time, Notwithstanding nv en3eavOrs 10
keepat MS side. aud spoke not a word,
not even answering ms questions
Stopping before substantial-looking
residence in one Of the principal streets
he applied the latch-key. and led me
into a pleasant little room on the second
floor "a study. ] thought itl, hung about
with good paintings and elegant eHS-av-
ingS. and lined with books.
Take a seat doctor" said the man;
81 will step out moment take this
chair ~ the fire; it's a bitterly cold
night"
The chair was great unwicldy thing,
but exceedingly comfortable. threw
my feet upon the fender, and leaned
back on the cushion. well satisfied TO
warm myself little before seeing the
patient
heard the man approach the door,
which was directly back of where 1 sat
and heard the door open and close again
I supposed he had gone out, but did not
look around 10 see Indeed. ! had no
time. for stout cord was thrown over
my wrists and acruss my breast, and
handkerchief bound over my mouth so
quickly that could not prevent il.
When was perfectly secure nv con
ductor stepped in front Of me, and
looked with much interest At my vain
attempts 20 free myself
Good stout cord. isn't it?-' he asked.
1T has never been broken, and many .
stouter man than YOU has tried il.
There now. be quiet awhile, and | Will
tell you what want"
He went to cabinet that stood in
conner Of the room. and. taking a long
knife from one oi the drawers. ran his
thumb over the elge. and felt the point,
calmly and deliberately all the while
talking in the mOstcOmmonplace manner
imaginable.
Il have for years studied the art of
guessing" said he. Il can guess any
thing; that is my guessiug-ch that
you are sitting in now And l take
great pleasure in imparting my knowl-
edge to others. This Is what want of
you tonight did intend to make you
guess that, hut thought Of something
better"
tie had become satisfied with the
edge and point Of his knife, and was
pacing up and down the room. giving
me brief history Of the world, inter
spersed with facts relative to the art of
guessing, a, which times he always
stopped in front Of me
Ibid YOU ever study it. doctor?- he
asked. II know you haven't | am the