Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-06-10
WHOLE NO. 81.

eE0edVOfcO 10 open lt-Dut hcr nandS Were too
weak, and il dropped upon the bed. mo
matter" said she, as offered to open it for
her; $ know all that is in it, and in that
book also. But thought should like to
look once more upon them both. have read
them daily, for many years, till now but do
not mind i'll shall 60 soon.''
them aside, and then closing them, her lips
moved as if in prayer. She soon fell into
slumber, and watched her every breath, fear
ing it might be the last.
What lessons of wisdom, truth, and forti-
tude, were taught me by that humble bed-side!
| had never before been with the dying. and [
had always imagined dea,h-bed to be fraught
with terror. expected that there were al
ways fearful shrieks, and appalling groans,
as the soul left its clay tenement; but my fears
were now dispeled. A sweet calmness stole
into my inmost soul, as watched by the low
couch Of the sufferer; and said, eff this be
death, may my last end be like hers"
But at length saw that some dark dream
had brought frown upon the pallid brow,
and an expression of wo around the parched
lips. She was endeavoring to speak, or to
weep, and was about to awaken her, when
a sweet smile came like fash Of sunlight
yer her sunken face, and saw that the dream
Of wo was exchanged for one of pleasure
Then she slept calmly, and ] wondered II the
spirit would go home in that peaceful slnmber.
But at length she awoke, aud after looking
upon me and her little room with bewiidered
air, she heaved sigh, and said, mournfnlly.
Il thought that was not to come back again;
but j; is only for little while. have had
pleasant dream, but not at first. l thought
once that stood in the midst Of vast multi
tude and we were all looking up at one who
was struggling on gallows. O, have seen
that sight in many dream before. but still
could not bear it; and said, "Father have
mercy;" and then ! thought that the sky roll
ed away from behind the gaIlows, and there
was acod Of glory in the depths beyond;
and heard voice saying to him who was
hanging there, "This day shalt thou be with
me in Paradise! - And then the gallows
dropped, and the multitude around me vanish
ed, and the sky rolled together again; but be-
fore it had quite closed over that scene Of beau
~, looked again; and they ,oere all there
Yes,' added she, with a placed smile, II
know that he is there with them; the three are
in heaven, and shall be there soon.''
She ceased, aud drowsy feeling came o.
yer her After while, she opened her eyes
with strange look Of anxiety and terror. l
went to her, but she could not speak; and SHE
pressed my hand closely, as though she feared
would leave her. 1t was a momeEtary ter
ror, for she knew that the last pangs were
coming on. There was a painful struggle.
and then came rest and peaceful condolences.
"That letter." whispered she, convu'slvely
and went to the Bible, and took from 1t the
soiled paper which claimed her thoughts even
in death. | laid it IN her trembling hands,
which c!asped it nervously, and then press
lug it to her heart, she fell into that slunlber
from which there is no awakening.
When saw that she was indeed gone,
took the letter and laid it in its accustomed
place; and then, after Strengthening the limbs.
and throwing bed-clothes over the stiftning
form, left the house.
1t was dazzling scene Of winter beauty
that met my eye, as l went forth from that
lowly bed Of death. The rising sun threw
rosy light upon the crustel snow, and the
earth was dressed in a robe Of sparkling jew
els. The trees were hung with glltterlng
drops, and the frozen streams We're dressed
in robes of brillian, beauty.
thought Of her upon whose eyes bright
er morn had beamed, and Of scene OF beauty
upon which no sun shoald ever set, and whose
never.fading glories shall yield happiness
which may never pass away.
went home, and told my mother what
had passed and she went. with some Others,
to prepare the body for burial. went to ioot
upon il once more the morning OF the funeral.
The features had assumed riged aspect, but
the placid smile was still there. The hands
were crossed upon the breast; and as the form
lay so still and calm in its snowy robes, al
most wished that the last change might come
upon me, so that It would bring peace like
g.
l went to the Bible, and took from it that
letter. Curiousity was strong within me, ant:
opened it. 1t was signed "John IL aud
dated from his prison the night before his ex
ecution. But did net read it. O, no! It
was too sacred. Ii contained those words
of penitence and affection over which her
stricken heart had brooded for years. It had
been the wel-spring from which she had
drunk ioy and consolation, and derived her
hopes of a reunion where there should be no
more shame, nor sorrow, nor death.
could not destroy that letter; sol laid 1t
beneath the clasped hands, over the heart to
which it had been pressed when its beatings
were forever stilled and they buried her, too
in the corner of the church-yard; and that
tattered paper soon mouldered to ashes upon
her breast.
Shocco Jones, the great financier, once fought
duel in Rhode leland, and the Governor Is
sued proclamation for his apprehension
Shocco having retreated to Virginia, issued
counter proclamation for the apprehension OF
the Governor, and concluded it by saying that
the next time he had occasion TO fight duel
il should not be in the Governors little trlfiing
State-he uoulH fight across 1t.
Did YOU ever hear democrat assume pof-
ton Of the name Of his political opponents;
such as federal democrat. &C.! ne mas no