The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-09-27

lent win disease, and lDfectl honest people, an
chahn them of their own, reused his ear, and cal
led out his sympaties till they we're all safely Iodg
ed in his purse; if indeed they had not always oc-
cupied that position. He proceeded 10 Arthur's
room. and finding that he was too i'll to rise, made
dilligeDt inquiry to the state Of his inancesa
ascertaned that his whole wealth was comprised
in few shillings. Now, the landlord had vague
idea that man who ls sick and dying, needs some
care; but he had also another idea, distinct, and
well defined, that prudent man cannot afford to
do more than he paid for, particularly when it ls
for the benefit of person who wears old clothes
and is destitute of money. He balanced the mat
ter in his mind, considered how long the young
man might live without care, how it would sound
if story should 50 abroad that he had died there
from want OF attentiop-the trouble of death
and funeral in the house-the chances of his re-
covery, &C.. &c.; and finding these accumuIating
questions, too weighty for his decision he eferred
them to the city authorities. A physician was cal
led who decided that tho Arthur's disease must
soon prove fatal, he might yet live some weeks;
and that he was able to be removed. According
ly, the next morning he was taken from his couch,
placed in dirty, rafting cart, and driven through
the city, past the spot where he rested when he
first entered it, and turning in southerly drec-
tion,, the driver at length paused before field
studded with stones and dropping willows
Ah," thought Arthur, as his eye glanced Ian
guidly over the spot, shave they brought me here
while | yet live, that may - T
Look around,
And choose my ground,
And take my rest"
Can they have read in my countenance, how much
long for repose IA the tomb, and are they in
tent to crafty my wlshes' Truly. there Is more
sympathy among men than had credited to their
account" Just in trout of the spot where the
cart stopped, there stretched long, low, red bull
ding, and from the windows peered forth motley
assembly of faces there were old, palsied men and
toothless women; youths with unsteady steps, and
idiot faces; and pale, frieDdless children. "And
am one of these" he murmured, as they bore him
to his wretched apartment IN the city poor house.
And the contrast between this abode and the lux
urious dwelling where he had been reared, was
strikingly before him. His naturally delicate
st,tulion could only have been expected to have
obtained strength for prolonged life, under the
most favorable circumstances. And the anxiety,
the difficulties and disappontments, which he had
endured in the struggle of life, led him rapidly to
against disease, and refused to confess to himself
how feebly the tide of life was ebbing in his bosom,
for still, in the midst of encouragement, he lighted
again and again the dying lamp OF life, and fixed
high his aims for health. Much ofhis want OF sue
cess, had depended upon bodily weakness, and the
ever burning ambition that wore out his spirit;but
now all was over, hope, dream, ambition, oil OF
earth, save deep, undying affection for those he
had loved in childhood, and the morbid feeling that
he could not inform them of his present situation.
He lay upon the verge of the grave, with the
green city of the dead alone visible from the win
dow beside his couch, and thought how sweet
would be that repose which. would soon fall upon
HIM An old crone had been placed over him,
whose harsh aud grud siag attentions were mere
,nnoyance She would sit dawn in her chair, and
waking to and fro upon the creaking floor talk to
,im all day long, in high shriIl tone, of death,
md funerals, and witches, and hob-gobns, and |
epeat all the horrd and Disgusting tales which she |
lad collected during long life Of superstitions
lofuiice If Arthur showed an udisposltion to lis
en-, she would break forth INTO song, in such (
tracked and jarring tone, aud formed OF such RI
liculous iargon that, even from his he'd Of pain he
oud sometimes scarce repress a smile His claims
lpon her care were often disregarded, and when
he did comply with his request, it was done in
uch way as to show that she thought. as she had
nee said in his hearing that ''if people must die,
here was no use in their living along so, to make
body SO much trouble." u ea.tBl5
"How's your sick man this morning" said DR..
-, roughly, as he entered the room one day.
/" Dear me, | dom know" returnedthe old wo-
,an, rubbing her eyes, for she had yet hardly rou
ed herself, to her mornings task; ''do you think
ell hold on much longer, Doctor"P .s,,,-.,
IS Well, how are you'd" continued the physician
wing his hand heavily on Arthur's wrist 1
Arthur closed his eyes with sickening feeling
+ the difference which is supposed TO exist IN the
Of the rich aud poor Whats the mat
~ said Dr. ----- after pausing moment for an
iswer, 'cant you talk this morning. Any thing
ew in your symptomsp 'You can probably Judge
stter than myself, sir, how rapidly the sands Of
fe arerunning out;'replied Arthur. trust that
y houi will soon be closed The physician kept !,
is eyes fixed upon him for moment Since he
I'd first been called to attend him, there had an
distinct idea fitted before his mind, Have you
~ friends that you wish to have sent for, or in
rmed of your situationp Arthur shook his head;
1t as the physician left the room he said, may !;
,tsee you again, sir and would like to leave with
~ the name Of a friend, whom you may inform Of
y death when I am gone.' ,if ,cp5,.
The name was inserted in the Doctors memo
ndum, and he departed.5.iq ers yss b4s III
Tt,a dau vas ,.se,,,.. fk,. A rtI,,.