The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1900-07-05
''The mechanism Of the heart Is like

fast, the great blood-vessel that sup
plies the force must be stopped, like the
lever of watch, and the works must
be cleaned, and repaired, and regulat-
ed. 1t may interest you to know that
1 was present at the post-mortem ex-
animation held over the remains of the
beautiful Louisa of Prussia. Had I
been consulted before her death, I
would have saved her by taking out her
heart, and removing the polypi, be-
tween which it was wedged as in wise,
but l was called too late. The king and
I had a little difference; he was Ger
man, am French. I trust that is suf.
ficient explanation"
He now bent over me, his long, white
beard brushing my face. opened my
eyes beseechingly, trying to think OF
some way to save myself. 'Oh, sir, give
me an anaesthetic, that may not feel
the pain" pleaded
Indeed, indeed, madam, I would
comply with your wish were you not
the wife of a physician-of a skillful
surgeon. wish you to note with what
ease I perform this difficult operation,
so that you may tell your husband of
the great savant whose services he se-
cured, fortunately in season"
As he said this he made the final test
of the knife on his thumb. How pre-
cious were the moments now! They
were feeting all too fast, and yet an
eternity seemed compressed in every
one. I never tainted in my life. and I
never felt less like swooning than now,
as I summoned all my presence of mind
to delay the fearful moment, fervently
praying in the meantime for my hus-
bands return.
Doctor" said I, with assumed CONF
posure, 81 have the utmost confidence
in your skill; would not trust my life
to another; but, doctor, you have for
blood. If you will have the goodness
to ascend to my sleeping chamber, at
the right of the hall, you will find
everything you need for that purpose
in the bureau"
"Ah, madam he said, shaking his
head sagaciously, II never draw blood
during a surgical operation; that is
another one of my secrets unknown to
the faculty.
Then, placing his hand on my bosom,
he added, with horrible espieglerie:
''I'n scarcely mark that skin whittier
than snow, and smooth as monumental
alabaster.''
30 God!" cried, as felt the cold
steel touch my breast; but with the
same breath came deliverance.
Quick as thought a heavy wooden
piano-cover was thrown over the head
and person of the madman, and bound
tightly around him. As quickly was
released, and the thongs that bound
me soon held the maniac. My husband
held me in his arms. He had noiseless-
ly approached, and, taking in the hor-
ror of my situation at a glance, had, by
the only means at hand, secured the
madman, who was the very patient he
who had escaped the vigilance of his
keeper soon after the departure of the
messenger, who had now returned
with the doctor in pursuit of him. As
the poor wretch was being hurried
away, he turned to me, and said:
Madam, this is plot to rob me of my
reputation. Your husband is envious
of my great skill as surgeon. Adieu!"
I afterward learned that the man was
once an eminent surgeon in Europe.
but much learning had made him mad.
When. he bound me to the table, nv
hair was black as raven; when left
it, it was as you see it now-white as
full-blown cotton. San Francisco
Argonaut.