The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26
REMARKABLE INSTANCES OF
PERSONS WHO LOSE THEMSEL YES,
ny w. 9. MORROW.

Smith and his family, on the desperate
chanee that the deeply grounded affection
which belongs to the nature of such
husband and father would recall the man
who had just stepped out of the world,
but a moments reflection convinced him
OF the danger OF the experiment-there is
never any foreseeing of results in the case
OF an eplleptic. So the patient having re-
covered sufficiently to walk, the physician
made arrangements for the detention Of
the wife and children until he should
return, and then began the painful prepa-
ration for taking the sufferer upon the
street.
A necessary preliminary to this was in
formation of the calamity which had over
taken the patient. DR.. Blank, despite all
his tact and adroitness, expected incredu-
lily and suspicion, and perhaps violent
resentment. But he went about his duty
with the courage of a man and told the
amazed patient all except the chapter re-
Iating to his family.
AS be had expected, Smith at first won
dered, then became credulous, then sus-
picious of a trick, then angry and defiant.
DR.. Blank s GOODNESS was unfailing. His
next move was to offer the patient mir
ror. Smith looked into it and started back
aghast.
"GodP' he exclaimed; "that is not 1. 1
am not so old as that. 1 have not a beard.
You have poisoned me, you fend, or am
insane
But DR.. Blank was patient.
Remember" said he ''you have lost
those four years" and then he gently told
him more about the mysteries of the dis
ease. Smith sat helpless and staring.
DIR. Blank tried new tack.
cisco?'
mot by sight, but I have had CORE
spondence with some.'
Then let us go and find them"
Wary and guarded, Smith left the shop
with the physician and as soon as he
stepped upon the street he looked about
bewildered and wondering.
''Where am II" he asked.
DR.. Blank assured him again that he
was IN San Francisco, but the man shook
his head and looked suspicious. Then the
physician, having ascertained that Smith
had dropped out of his life in the middle
of winter, and knowing that the weather
in the Eastern city where that had hap
pened was very severe, called Smiths at
tentlon to the soft and gentle weather
Smith started, drew a deep breath and
said:
II have never breathed this air before.
am lost and helpless"
Presently turning a corner they came in
view of the Palace Hotel. Smith stopped
and exclaimed:
Il recognize that. have seen pictures
OF 1t. 1t is the Palace Hotel in San Fran
cisco. nave studied maps and pictures
of the town. l see. This is Market street.
Those are the Twin Peaks. must be in
San Francisco"
After that the sailing was easier.
policeman gave him the day, month and
year, and the lawyer whom they visited
identified himself, and the people at the
mercantile house where he bad worked
were evidently responsible men ana they
recognized him and were glad to see him.
In this way he gradually became con-
vlnced. But it was curious to observe
that he was no longer the expert account
ant he had been, and that he had become
lawyer again, although his knowledge
OF law had been DEAD for four years.
The most difficult and delicaIe thing
remained to be done. His wife and chill
dren were anXiously awaiting him at the
chemists. AS DR.. Blank led his patient
thither he delicately told him that story.
! Smith gasped and staggered when he
heard 1t, and 1T was necessary to take him
! to quiet hotel and put him to bed. He
But stimulants and restoratives were given
him. Presently, his wife and children
having been summoned, were standing
outside his door, waiting to be admitted.
There is only one thing [ can advise"
said DR.. Blank to the suffering man.
THAT Is, welcome them as though you
knew and loved them. Ali will be right
in the end. l will say a word or two to
her as preparation for anything unusual
she may detect in your conduct"
The suffering man, his face haggard and
his fingers tightly clutching the verlet,
said firmly:
Doctor, l am deeply grateful to you.
Kindly admit them and leave us alone"