Journal of Dr GFW

I am this morning called to visit a patient some distance from town, which taken with my other engagements will occasion me to ride in the night. I have attended over twenty patients since I left home this morning. And now, three o'clock at night, quite tired. Yet, I feel more satisfied than I should be if I had set still during the same length of time. I will here mention a circumstance of singular occurrence in this civilized portion of the world, and whether it was done just for amusement by some individual, who know me, or by whom or for what purpose I cannot imagine. As I was returning from abroad, and had got within two and a half miles of town, just at the turn of the road where the Shallowford and the Pfafftown Roads meet, I was hailed by some unknown individual, and at first not seen, as it was very dark, and told to give up my money. My feelings at the moment are not susceptable of any description, but my answer and action was as quick as electricity. I told him I had no time, and as I spoke the word gave my horse the whip, and she darted like an arrow forward and a little to one side and I left him standing in the road. What became of him I know not. I will here mention that every man who travels much in the night, even if he be in his own neighborhood, should always be armed, for we know not our nearest connection or friends. We have not the power to see into the internal operations of men's minds.