The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-07-18 00:00:00

A DEATH-BED STORY.

Probably few people have had the " pleaanre "
perusing an account of "a laughable death•bed."
That experience is given to us for the first time by a
Florida correspondent, who vouches for it entios
truthfulness, rays a writer in Harper's New lluathly
Magartne, and who tells the story as follows :

There came here from the north, early in the winter, a
Mr. and Mrs. C—, Mr. C— being for gone with consump-
tion. The poor f;-;11;iw kept gradually tailing, anti woa viry
low. Mrs. c— sent for a young warned lady, her friend,
who was also passing the winter here, who thus describ.•
the scene. Entering the sick lux at, and approaching the
hed, she exited "Hon do you feel to-day, Mr. C— I—bet-
ter, I hope." .• N'ot any batter. Mrs. Jones, but as well as can
be expected, considering I shan't live till night." Somewhat
surprised at this reply, she turned to Mrs. C-- and irpeated
tie question. .......lie's t ellingyou nothing but the truth, Mrs.
Jones. tor I've just let his feet, and they're as cold as lea
already." " that's so, my dear r• interrupted the sick
man but suppose you just crop them UP. little; uncle's
inn ate in their getting cold sooner than is necessary t"
The feet were nicely wrapped up and tucked tn, when the
wife exclaimed •• Well, John. if the •is as, and you are
telling the truth, I think I mizlit a :well begin packing
up So she sat down on the no, r, opened her large
;bunk anti commenced to arrange and pack with all her
might. Suddenly she exclaimed . ••01t dear ! I declare I
shall never get through packing up, for I can't get near
all oar things Into One trunk !" " 011 yes, you can, sly
r dear,' replied her husband, just as well now as alien we
; canto." •' NO. I can't, John • there are so many other thin
I taco in." " That's ern "said he, cogitating there is my
over-coat, my paints, and vest and tiny boots, that 'll' won't
need when It ' go,s home; but then, lay dear, I want yn u
to take out of the trunk that nice new dress-coat mid pants,
my embroidered slippers, a new shirt, and white stockings,
anal pint them in • It as soon as I am dead, for I want • It '
to look nice win. n• It' Ms home." The new pants, coat, end
slippers svere teen spread out on a chair, ready to go inn " it'
when needed ; tine tittle woman fussed away at her tag tnunk itt
silence the siek /MAWS hard-drawn breathinuonlv int errant.'
the stillness. I the room for me mennerts. Suddenly the
wife desisted frolll 1188 181.1 r for all 1182(814: Ido ductere,
John, it's too bad ! Just think 44 all the mouey we have
spent and time lost in coining here, suit we might
Just as well have stayed at haute for all the good it lion
done. Just think, Mrs. Jiffies, it Inas cost it, ever four
bemired donate to come here, lawitles nearly one hundred
dollars more to pay my way back 81111 Ole EX111,111:01111/811y
for carrying • It' bonne." " ity-the-way, sty dear,' biter.
rupted the sick mall, .• BlllilloBB yOll 11111 011 your' bonnet
and shawl: and go down to the ewes' office anti see what
they w ill charge to carry It ' home." Puttinng on her
things Mrs. c— bustled 411,V11 to the office, and was bask
in a short time all out of breath •• Well sirs. Jones, what
do you drink ? tv,nw it's too bad ; Nearly four hundred
dollars gone for or ttip here, and it's go lig to cost
nearly one hundred more to send • It' Inane by express—
and all or notating ; By the. way, Mrs. Jiffies, I've been
thinking that ril like to send some orangt s 8181 s reset-
potatoes home ; tie you think it would be proper ?" Mrs.
Jones, baling soniew-hat inexperienced in such matters,
replied that •• sho didn't snow. " •• Why, certainly, toy
dear," spoke tine sick man 011 the bed ;" )ou can pack 'eta
with 'lt,' and save the expense ;'• which exclautatidi was
ahoi tills last n erds in this world. 11l a few moments all
was ante; the poor telhov's •' Journey of life" was ended.
The stile instantly began to mourn and wring her hands,
and mate a grevt fuss; suddenly she broke out " Well,
after all, Mrs J. nes, I do think this has been one en the
ino•t delightful death-beds I ever • as. ! and I hope y•ou liars
remembened every snnitni, for I am a-going to have it all
written down and published in the papers." And bursting
Into a laugh, elm exclaimed : Ila! Ina! !ha !!! isn't it
funny I—the Idea of tiny being a widow !" ties. Jones with-
drew, and, in spite of herself and the dead man in the 11l at
room, indulged 111 in good laugh. Mrs V— after sending
"It " ill by the express to tine North, took tine at, AIM, for
home, and the last new w-e had term her was a letter
written to—" My dear Mrs. Jones,-1 have arrived home safe
and sound, but •It •Itas come yet ; ould you please call
St the capes an °Mee and 113111 out what has become of • It 1' "