The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-07-17
NO. 30.

tod her simple Story, was mel by one so
thoroughly pure and honest in its expression,
that after a moments pause, a willing con-
sent was given 10 the arrangement, and with
.noiseless tread, but with an expression Of re-
relief as if the weight of a world had been
lifted from her bosom, The warm.hearted girl
bounded up stairs and took her station al the
bedside of the patient.
1t was a melancholy case altogether. Tho
mother and three sisters of the young man,
written 10, were as yet far away, and his
weary hours were still farther embitteEed By
the knowledge that if he died they would be
left utterly destifute-the property upon
which they all lived being entailed upon him,
the only son., and reverting at his death 10
the nexl male heir of the family.
But to return to the more immediate sub
ject of this sketch. From the hour of her
first assuming the duties of nurse, she never
left him, day or night, for a single moment,
unless TO bring for his comfort and relief such
things as the other girls OF the house, in their
fear OF injection, we're loo much terrified TO
carry up 10 his room. The symptoms soon
became TOO marked 70 leave any more than
a faint hope of ultimate recovery, but the
courageous girl never suffered her feelings
TO overcome her; her manner is described
as calm ami selfpossessed TO singular de-
gree, the features generally motionless, and
the voice without a trace of agitation in its
tone.
Once indeed, and once only, toward the
last, she was seen outside his room. door, her
hands pressed conyulsively against her eyes
and her bosom heaving with emotion. But
the tears were resolutely forced back-the
feelings braVeiy gulphed down, and in one
moment more the devoted girl had turned the
handle with a quiet touch, and resumed her
duties by the bed Of death.
The poor sufferer was attended by host
Of medical friends, but the fat had gone
forth; a ''stii small voice" had whispered TO
him, and be knew thathe must die. And he
did die, calling upon his mother and wonder
ing how she would be able to bear the It'd
ings of bis loss.
Amidaltthe EXPLANATIONS of sorrow and
CONSERVATION around, noto word was sPo-
ken by the poor girl who had been his Untir-
ing watcher so long. A stranger might al
most have imagined her an uninieFested spec
taier of the scene-Ha hireling who Gated
not for' her charge-but those who knew her
better could observe that she never moved
from his side-never lost sight OF him for a
single instant. 1t was she who closed the
starting lids-bound up the head, and pre-
pared him for the coffin. And all in utter
silence-not a word of sorrow came fIom her.
The pale cheek and trembling hand we're the
only interpreters Of the feelings with which
she did it at all.
Al length the last sad Offices were TO be
performed. They persuaded her to leave the
room for a short time, and when she returned
the body was removed from the bed. and the
cofin-oh, bitter disappointment!-the cof-
fin was screDed doWn.
Then indeed a wall of despair escaped her
lips. She could see no reason for such haste
was time, plenty of time before them
and what had she lone that she should not
be allowed one look-one last look-before
they took him away and hut him up for ever2
Being made 10 understand, affer time, the
necessity in such cases of immediate burial,
she suffered the men TO depart without far
Their remonsirance but within the next half
hour she had quietly borrowed a screw driv-
er-shut herself into the room-withdrawn
every screw in the coffin Iid--and gazed, Oh!
who shall say with what bitterness offeeling?
upon the face within; then fastening the
i'd down again, remained tranquil, nay al
most happy, in the thought that her hand
was the last that had been laid upon his
orow--her eye the very last that rested upon
his features.
After the funeral, when the few valuables
belonging TO the deceased were collected
together, she was asked whether she would
not wish 10 keep something in remembrance
Of him; and was told that she might take
or that purpose any thing she pleased.
"May l?--sure, then Ill take tbis"-lay-
her hand eagerly upon it. Ii was an old
handkerchief, soiIed and rumpled. which the
young man had worn around his neck during
he last hours Of his illness, and which, in
he hustle and confusion, had been left on
he bed just where it had been thrown after
zig death.
The friends urged her TO make another
"No" she would have that, and only
hat.
They asked her to take something in adj
iition at all events; something of more va
ne.
"No, no--nothing but that--she wanted
more"
One gentleman pointed out the possible
of her selection, and warned her at
east not TO hold it so near her person.
But by this time the poor girl had become
at the opposition. sits mine no'0
sure, sure | may do what ! like with my
And with the word, the handkerchief was
tightly round her throat, and the two
.nds thrust deep within her bosom and one
vho stood nearest her couId hear the almost