The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-09-24
her last hour was 81 hand, and with quiet

\
resignation she awaited her destiny. "My
dearest Edward. said size, TO her husband
while she pressed him for the last tire to
her bosom, with deep sorrow quit this
world where~I found thee, and the great
est earthly bliss upon thy bosom, yet, tho
J must no longer be happy in thy arms,yet
Josephina's love shall hover around thee ss
a guardian spirit until we meet again in
heaven" As she said this, she fell back
and softly sank to rest. II was about niue
in the evening. What Sellner suffered
was nexpresssible; he con,pnded long with
liie-sorrow had destroyed his health. and
when after many weeks confinement he a.
gain rose. he had no longer the vigor of
youth in his limbs; he gloomily brooded o.
yer his loss, and visibly pined away. Deep
melancholy had taken the place Of despair,
and still sorrow halowed every recollec,
tion Of his beloved. He had left Joseph.
/ mas room in the same situation in which
it was before her death. Upon the table
stil lay the materials of her work; and the
| ner. Every evening Sellner entered the
sanctuary of his love, took his flute, and
breathed in melancholy tones his longing
after his dear loved shade. Once he stood
thus, lost in the dreams of fancy in Joseph
mas chamber. A clear moonlight night
wooed him TO the open window, & from the
nelghboring Castle tower the waichman
called tie ninth hour when all of a sudden,
the harr, as if moved by the soft breath Of
a spirit sounded in unison with his tones.
Deeply affected he laid down his .lute and
the harp also ceased to sound. He now
commenced with trembling frame Jo.
sephina's favorite air, and louder and more
powerful the harp sounded its notes, uni
ting it's tones in the most perfect unison
with his. He sank down in JOY Ful ecstacy
upon the ground, stretched forth hs arms
10 embrace the beloved shadow, and In
stantly he felt himself as if breathed upon
by the warm breath Of spring, whilst pale
glimmering light foated around him. Deep
| ly inspired he cried, II know thee halIow
ed shade Of my sain,ed Josephina. Thou
saidst thou wouldst Surround me with thy
love; thou hast kept thy word. feel thy
breath, feel thy kisses on my lips, | fee!
myself embraced by thy glorlfed spirit"
With the deepest feelings of delight he a.
gain seized his flute, and again the harp
sounded; but always softer and softer, till
at length It's whispering tones died away.
Seiner's whole frame was powerfully
reused by the spiritual visitation Of this
evening-restless, he threw himself upon
his bed, and the whispering Of the harp
ever REQUIRED to him in his heated dreams
Late and exhausted with the phantoms OF
the night be awohe. felt his whole frame
strongly affected, and voice plainly spoke
within him, expressing as lie thought his
immediate dissolution, and Announcing the
victory of the soul over the body. WAh
restless desire he waited for the evening,
and with eager hopes repaired to the cham
Der Of Josephine. Already had he sue
cecded in luling himself with his flute in.
to quiet dreams, ,whe n the ninth hour struck
and scarce had the last sOhnd of the clock
ceased 10 vibratc, when the harp began a.
gain softly to sound, till at last it thrilled
in foil harmonious chords. When his futc
was silent, the music also ceased. The
pale glimmering too foaied over him, and 10
hi5 ecstacy he could only cry, "Josepiino,
Joscphina take me TO thy oitectIonate bo.
SOM" The tones Of the harp at this mo.
ment parting with sighs, became softer and
softer. until at length is whispers lost
themselves in long tremnlous chords
SILL more powerfully agitated than ever by
the occurrences of,his evening, ,Sellner to-
tered back to his room. His faithful ser.
want was terrified at his appearance. and
went IN spite Of his masters prohibition, in
search Of the physician who was also the
old friend of Sellner
The physician found him under q very
,nl 81,
the same kind Of symptoms that had at.
tended Josephina's illness but much worse
in degree. The fever increased consldera.
bly, throughout the night. during which he
continuity raved Of Josephine and The harp.
| In the morning he became queter, because
the struggle was overland he felt more and
more plainly that his dissolution was a,
hand, though the physician would not al
low 1t. fi'he patient then related what had
happened to him upon the two evenings.
and all the cold reasoning Of his sceptical
friend could not draw him from his opinion.
As the evening approached, he became
still weaker, and begged at last with a
trembling voice. that he might be carried
into Josephna's room. II was done. In
deep distress he looked around. saluted
each sweet recollection with a silent tear.
and spoke with undoubting 6rmness Of the
ninth hour as tho time of his death. The
decisive moment approached, he ordered
all to retire after he had ,sken farewell OF
them, except the physician who insisted
at all events on remaining. At length
the ninth hour sent down its hollow sound
from the Castle.tower; Sellner's counte.
nance became illuminated, and deep e.
motion once more glowed Iron b pale
features. "Josephina," cried he, as if act.
uated by divine inspiration, Josephina.
greet me yet once more on my departure.
that may know thou art near me, and
may overcome death by the power of thy