The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-08-29

THE willie
What ist we live for : tell lilo's flircst tale
10 eat, to drink, to sleep, love, aud ENJOY,
And then 10 love no more
To talk of things we know not and to know
Nothing but things not worth the talking Of
Sir X. Fame Junior.
At an early hour of the morning, in The
commencement of the wear IS3--, | was
called upon by u young friend to attend the
bedside of a dying man, who was exceed
ingly ANXIOUS To bequeath his property to
an individual on, of the line Of legal sue
ccssion, and therefore desired the security
of professional aid in the construction Of
his will.
Although have always felt extreme re-
pugnance TO the presence of sickness, and
eschcwed with moIe than ordinary scnsibi-
i,y the sight of mortal dissolution, yet, such
were the peculiar circumstances urged up
on me III this instance, that could not re-
fuse to accompany my friend to the scene
of death.
waited upon the feeble and fast sinking
being who had cvinced such peculiar de-
sire for my personal attendance, aud found
him with all the comforts and convenicnces
which competency could give to sick
chamber, apparently waiting, in patient
resignation, the execution of the grim and
eycIess foe. An inclination of the head Of
the patient was all the recognition Of my
entrance that his emaciated md dccaycd
energies admitted The friends who stood
uear him, bade me be seated by nn es-
critoUe that had been placed by the bed
side, with other arrangements for my pur-
pose, and | hastened to the accomplish
mcnt Of the object of my visit, believing ms
| had reason from the symptoms already
eyInccd, that the patient had but short
time to live. Every thing was arranged
for the performance Of my office, and the
friends gathered closer around, with min
glcd desire who would succeed to so hand
some an estate, and to lend what assistance
they could 10 the discharge Of the solemn
right Of man. II was with great difficulty,
and at painful intervals of labor, that the
patient was able To make himself under
stood. As distinctly, however, ns his situa-
ton would allow, lac made known his
bequests in the following simple form and
order. 81 give and bequeaih my fam
lily mansion, in which we are now as
sembled, with ns furniture, my cqupngc,
and my gold watch, to my good aud true
friend B" referring to the young gem
tleman who had conducted me TO him, and
who stood at the bed side supporting his
head nj the moment" TO my faithlul
nurse" (who stood just then at the foot OF
the bed with fearful eve and crpec,ant
look " give aud bequeath the sum OF one
thousand dollars, 10 be paid TO her imme-
dlately after my deceasc to-to Margaret
-" aud here the patient laborcd as 81 a
paroxysm Of excitement aud painful ieel-
ing would overcome him" to Margaret"
-he exclaimed, with an unnatural
strength aud sharpness of voice, whilst the
last tear that exuded from his CLASSY eye,
traced its tortuoUs course upon his cold
and sunken check give aud bequeatb
the rest and residue Of oil my estate Of
whatever kind aud wherever situated, aud
may God grant her long enjoyment Of It's
Christian and charitable Ise."
The greatest effort seemed here to be
accumulated. The patient motioned his
desire to be laid IN n more horizontal posit- !
ion. which was obeyod by those around him,
and turning his face towards me, cast an
anxious look upon the paper which ] held,
rs # eager 10 hear It's contents. IL was
read to hin, and he signlfying his approval,
extended bs hand as fir as his remnant OF
strength would permit, TO complete ITS exc
cution. placed the pen 10 bis fingers, aud
guided bis clammy hand as It traced his
name upon the paper
Nature seemed 70 have awaited lhi, deed