Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-25

the nAn0S Of our hoI tashe' ."o oPss
oil, distilled from the wood OF the true cross
which rubbed over nv body as soon as the orea.'
Of life be departed. will purify my mortal remain
from sin. and the faith in which dle' Will saw
my soul from purgatory. May rely upon .n'
dutifui obedience Of my child 10 the last "''"e'
of his parent!'
..Ob. nv father!'' sobbed the youth.
"ExtiDeuish the lights, for it IS not fitting tina
humanity should watch the mysteries o! ia',"
and. by your own hope Of salvation, anolnt TIT
BODY the moment life is fed. II is contained u
this casket.' pointing to the little ebony oox
- and thus YOU undo the spring. Leave me nov
nv child, have need of rest and meditation.
The youth ODE we'd; when, IS he was about u
close the door. he heard the voice Of Mr.. Savilie,
{" Renembpr, Walter: my blessing or my curse
will follow you through life, according as you
obey nv last words. My blessing or my cursor
The moment he left the room, Mr.. Sa'ille un
fastened the casket, aud from another drawer
took bottle OF laudanum; he poured the con
tents into the negus On his table, and drank th'
draught! The midnight was scarce passed "heI
the nurse, surprised at the unwonted quiet OF ne
usually querulous and impetuous patient, ap
preached and undrew the curtains: her maste
was dead. The house was Immediately alarm
ed Walter and his sister were still sitting VI
in the small oratory which had been their mo
theirs, and both fastened to the chamber OF death
Ignorance has its blessings; what world of cor
ruption and distrust would have entered those
Youthful hearts, could they have known the worth
lessness of the parent they nourned with sucf
innocent and endearing sorrow
Walter was the first to check his tears 81
have, as YOU know, Edith, sacred duty to per
form; leave the for awhile alone and we will at
forwards speud the night in prayer for our ia
theirs soul -
The girl left the room, and her brother pro
ceeded with his task. lie opened the casket anG
took out the phiaI: the candles were then extin
guished. and hrst telling the beads OF his rosary
he approached the bed. The night was dark
and the shriI wind moaDed like human being
in some great agony. but the pious son felt no
horror as he raised the body in his arms, to per
form his holy Office. An exquisite odour exhal
ed from the oil, which he began to rub lightly
and carefully over the head. Suddenly he start
ed, the phiaI fell from his hands and was dashed
to atoms OF the floor
"His face is warm-I feel his breath! Edith
dear Edith! come here. The nurse was wrong
my father lives"
HIS sister ran from the adjacent room, where
she had been kneellng before an image of the
Madonna, in earnest suppIica''on. with small
taper in her hand: both stood mvtlonless from
terror as the light fell on the corpse. There
were the contracted and emaciated hands laid
still and rigid on the cOunterpane; the throat.
stretched and bare. was meagre and withered;
but the head was that of a hand. some youth, full
OF freshness and life. The rich chestnut curl:
hung in golden waves on the white forehead, d
bright color WAS on the cheek, and the fresh red
lips were like thnse OF child; the large hazel
eves were open, and looked from one TO the
other, but the expression was that OF flend;-
rage, hate, and despair m'ug,ins together, like
TIE horrible beauty gwen to iae head II Medusa.
The children fled from the room. only. however,
to return with the priest, who deemed tina, sud.
den sorrow had unsettled their reason. HIS own
ewes convinced him OF the truth; there was the
living head On the dead budy
The beautiful face becaMP cOnvu'sed with pas
sion, froth stood upon his lips and the small white
teeth we're CRASHED in ipoen' fase.
.'Thi> Is surely, s"mr-evl spirit" and the
trembling priest proceeded with The form Of ex-
orcism, but in vain.
Walter then. with fatering voice, narrated
his last interview with his father
"The SIM. r. SAID the old chaplain, "!s ia
ken in his o3n snare. This is assuredly the
judgment Of God"
All night did he three pray beside that fear.
full bed At length the morning light OF glad
day in June fell on the head. 1t now looked pale
and exhausted. and the lips were wan. Ever and
anon Il "a dsloi ted Dv sudden spasms,-,youth y
health were maintainlnga terrI'ie struggle with
hunger and pain. The weather was sultry. and
the body showed lived spots Of decomposition.
the beautiful head was st,l alive but the damps
stood on the forehead, and the cheeks were sunk.
en-. Three DAYS and three nights did that bro
ther and-sster maintain their CHASTITY watch
The head was evidently dying. Twice the eyes
opened with wild and strong glare; the third
time they closed forever. Pale. beautiful. but
convuIsed. the youthfsl head and the aged body,
the one but just cold, the other tar gone IN
corruption, laid in the collin together!
Fudge.-Tne Richmond Jefersonian says
:. Before the internal principles OF the proclama-
ton will be- allowed to stand IN the South, the
.. oh "A MI