Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-03-03
THE THUNDER-STRUCK.
concluded from first page

acquainted with the peculiar nature of her
daughters seizure,) had snatched Miss P.'s hand
to her lips, kissed il repeatedly, and suddenly let
it 90, to press her own hand upon her head as il
to repress rising hysterical feeling. Miss P's
arm, as usual, remained for moment or two
SUSPENDED, and only gradually sunk down upon
the bed. 1t looked as if she voluntarily contln-
ued in that position, with cautoning air. Me-
thinks see at this moment the ahrgh,ed stare
with which Mrs. p. regarded the outstretched
arm, her body recoing from the bed, as though
she expected her daughter was about to do or APP
pear something dreadful learned from Mrs.
p. that her mother, the grandmother OF Agnes
was reported to have been twice affected in a
similar manner, though apparently from differ
ent cause so that there seemed something Ike
hereditary tendency towards it, even though
Mrs. p. herself had never experienced any
thing Of the kind.
As the memorable evening advanced, the ag-
itation Of all who were acquainted with, or IN
terested in the approaching ceremony, increas' |
ed. Mrs. p, need hardly say, embraced the
proposal with thankful eagerness. About half
past seven, my friend DR.. ID. arrived pursuant to
his promise and he was soon after followed by
the organist of the neghborng chnrch--an old
acquaintance, and who was a constant vslter at
my house--ior the purpose OF performing and
giving inst ructons on the organ. requested
him 10 commence playing Martin Luther's hymn
1.-the favorite one oil ,Agnes--.as soon as she
should be brought into the room. About eight
O'Clock the Deans carriage drew up. / met
him at the door.
Peace be to this house, and to all that
dwell in it = he exclaimed, as soon as he en-
tered. led him up stairs and, without ut
terng word, he took the seat prepared for
him, before a table, on which lay Bible and
a Prayer. book. After a moments pause, he
directed the sick person to be brought into the
room. l stepped up stairs, where | found my
wife, with the nurse, had finished dressing
Miss p. thought her paer than usual,
and that her cheeks seemed follower than
when had last seen her. There was an air of
melancholy sweetness and languor about her,
that inspired the beholder with tie keenest
sympathy. With sigh, gathered her slight
form into my arms, a shawl was throrn over
her, and, followed by my wife and the nurse,
who supported Mrs. -, carried her down
stairs, and placed her in an easy recumbent pos.
ture, in large old family chair, which stood
between the organ and the Deans table. How
strange and mournful was her appearance -
Her luxurant hair was gather up beneath a
cap the whthness of which was cqualled by
that of her coun,enancc. Her eyes were clos
ed and this, added to the pa!eness of her iea-
lures, her perfect passveness, and her being
enveloped in long white unruffled mourning
dress, which appeared not unlike a shroud. at
first sight-made her look rather corpse than
living being As soon as Dr. D-and
had taken seats on each side of our poor pa
tient, the solemn strains of the organ com.
menced. Inever appreciated music, and espe-
cally the sublime hymn of Luther, so much
as on that occasion. My eyes were fixed with
agonizing scrutiny on Miss p. Bar after bar
of the music melted on the ear, and thrilled up
on the heart; but, alas produced no more ef.
feet upon the placid sufferer than the peang OF
an abbey organ on the statues around! My
heart began to misgive me if this one last ex
pedent failed When the music ceased, we
all kneeled down, and the Dean, in a solemn
and rather tremulous tone of voice, common
ced reading appropriate passages from the ser
vice, for the visitation OF the sick. When he
had concluded the 7lst psalm, he approached
the chair of Miss P, dropped upon one
knee, held her right hand in his, and in a voice
broken with emotion, read the following
affecting verses from the Sth chapter Of st
Luke:
while he yet spake, there cometh ont
from the ruler Of the synagogue's house, say
ing to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble no
the Master
But when Jesus heard il, he answered him
saying, Fear not believe only, and she shall b.
made whole.
sAnd when he came into the house, he suffer
ed no man to give in, save Peter, and James
and John, and the father and mother of tn
maiden. And all wept and bewaed her. bu
he said Weep not she is not dead, but sleep
eth. And they laughed him to scorn, KNOWING
that she was dead.
sAnd he put them all out and took her b
the hand, and called, saying. Maid, arise. An
her spirit came again, and she arose straight
Way'
While he was reading the passage which
have marked in italics, my heated fancy almos
persuaded me that saw the eyeds of Mis-
p moving. ! trcmblcd from head TO foot
but, alas, it was delusion
The Dean, much affected, was proceedin
Will, H.. ffty.fifth verse. when Snch tremer
dous and long continued knocking was heard
the street door, as seemed likely to break
open. Every one started up from their knee
as if e'ectriied-all moved but unhappy Agne
and stood in silent agitation and astonishmen
Still the knocking continued almost will
out intermission. My heart suddenly msgay
me as to the cause.
'Go-go-See if'-stammered my wife, pal
as ashes-endeavo to prop up the droopn
mother of the patient. Before any one ha
stirred from the spot on which he was standn
the door was burst open, and in rushed NJ
N, wild in his aspect, and frantic in h
gesture, and his dress covered with dust fro
head to foot. We stood gazing at him,
though his appearance had petrfed US.
'Agnes-my Agnes!' he exclaimed, as
chokcd for want of breath.
agnes Come : he gasped, while a laug
appeared on his face that had CLEAN Of MAJ
ness in It.
Mr.. N, what are you aboutl F.
mcrcy's sake be calm! Let me lead you, f
moment, into another room, and all shall
explained!' said |, approaching and grasplr
him firmly by the arm.
AGNES {! he continued, in tone that mac
us tremble. lie moved towards the chair
which Miss P lay. | endeavored to int
pose, but he thrust me aside. The venerab
Dean attempted to dssuade hin, but met wi
no better reception than myself.
Agnes! he reiterated, in hoarse, scpu
chral whisper, 'why won't you speak to Inc
what are they doing to your lie slepp
within foot Of the chair where she lay-cal
and mmoveable as death We stood
watching his movements in terrified apprehe
sion and uncertainty. He dropped his hi
which he had been graspng with convulsi
force, and before any one Guild prevent him,