Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-05-22


and he will form tolerable idea of the
place which words are inadequate TO
describe. In no city, however, are the
poor more carefully attended, during
the severe scourge, than they are in
New Orleans; but my reader must take
into consideration the number misfor-
tune renders amenable to the cause of
death.
On one of the beds near the centre of
the room lays sick man in the last sta
ges the disease. The officiating ply
sician had just informed him there was
no hope-death was doing its work.
The man resigned himself calmly to his
fate. On the bed which stood immedi-
ately opposite to that of the dying mans
was one who had just been brought in
from his boarding house; his case was
also considered desperate.
In a sick room-and who has not cx-
perienced the agonizing feelings and
sullcrings of one There are objects
upon which the eye rests in those mo-
mcnts when pain permits the reason 10
roam in its mental wanderings, and ga
zes upon some object. calling up as it
were the dreams of the past, when
health and strength went hand in hand
with hope, and the bright sunshine Of
happy future cleaned before US; there
is dreamy luxury in this, which can
only be realized by those who have eX-
perienccd this exercise of mind in the
moment of danger, and who love 10
dwell upon it.
The writer of this, in 1892, during the
prevalence of as severe an epidemic as
ever prevailed in New Orleans, suffered
an attack of yellow fever, and believes
that his life was saved by his strength
of mind overcoming the alarm created
by the idea OF dying among strangers,
and of disease considered by many
incurable. The imagination does more
harm in cases Of sickness than the dis
ease itself.
One of those men to whom | particu-
larry alludc, the nature of the disease
permitted to indulge in this 'ftiu dream
between life and death: modification
had already taken place, and his pains
were lulled. The light of life was going
out, and the shadowy outline of the
grave was before him. His eyes wan
dcred around the vast room. At this
moment The man opposite him turned
their eyes met-lustrelcss as they were
dimmed by the waters of oblivion which
were rushing from them, to close up the
fountain forever. The recognition was
mutual-a half uttered exclamation ot
surprise, the outstretched arms, which
fell again powcrless at their side
"William, is that you ~
An agonizing groan was the answer
Years had passed away since they las
parted, and now where did they meet
in the house Of death "Oh, God my
brother, is not this awful to meet thus
reach--your hand, one grasp, one pres
sure-I-I-" Uttering this he fel
back. The other could not speak, he
had not yet tutored himselfto die; it haC
not been told him, that his hours were
numbered. The shock was too muci
for him; he stretched his hand, as i
were, mechanically: the other witnes
sed the motion. Desperate even il
death, he raised himself up, and, by ;
superhuman effort he rose from his bed
tottered across the room, caught tht
extended teverish hand of his brother
Qor they were brothers,) kissed his qui
vering lips, which were now closing
forever, attempting 10 speak, but voice
and strength failed. He turned roun,
for the purpose Of regaining his owl
bed. One look, one step-hc laid down
and in few moments the two brother
Wcre-DEAD