The Washingtonian., 1845-09-06

agned her an unlnterested spectator OF the
scene-"a hireling, who cared 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 single in
stant 1t was she who closed the staring lids,
bound up the head, and prepared him for the
coffin; and all in utter silence-not word Of
sorrow came from her. The pale cheek and
trembling hand were the only interpreters Of
the feelings with which she did it all. f
AT length the last sad Offices were to be per-
formed. They pursuaded her to leave the
room for short time, and when she returned,
the body was removed from the bed, and the
coffin--oh, bitter disappointment the coffin
was screaoed down. ..s,. 81
Then indeed wall of despair escaped her
lips. She could see no reason for such haste
there was time, plenty Of time before them
and what had she done that she should not be
allowed one look--one last look-before they
took him away and shut himup forever?
Being made to understand, after time, the
necessity in such cases of immediate burial,
she suffered the men to depart without further
remonstrance but within the next haf-hour
she had quietly borrowed a screw driver-shut
herself into the room-withdrawn every screw
in the coffin lid-and gazed, Oh! who shall
say with what bitterness Of feeling upon the
face within, then fastening the lid down again,
remained tranquil, nay almost happy, in the
thought that her hand was the last that had
been laid upon his brow--her eye the very last
that had rested upon his features.
After the funeral, when the few valuables
belonging 10 the deceased were collected to-
gether, she was asked whether she would not
wish to keep something in remembrance of
him; and she was told that she might take for
that purpose any thing she pleased
"May ?-sure, then, I'll take this laying
her hand eagerly upon it. 1t was an old hand.
kerchief, soled and rumped, which the young
man had worn around his neck during the last
hours of his illness, and which, in the hustle
and confusion, had been left on the bed jus,
where it had been thrown after his DEATH
The endsurged her to make another choice.
"No," she would have that, and only that.
They asked her to take something in addi-
ton, at all events; something of more value.
"No, ro-nothing but that--she wanted
nothing more" a@.a@.
One gentleman pointed out the possible dan
ger Of her selection, and warned her at least
not to hold it SO near her person.
But by this time the poor girl had become
impatient at the opposition. "It's mine no,o
sure, sure may do what like with my own. "
And with the word, the handkerchief was
drawn tightly round her throat, and the two
ends thrust deep within her bosom; and one
who stood nearest her could hear the almost
whispered words, " He did me nothing but good
in life, and I'm sure he won't hurt me now.''
1t is unnecessary to say with what feelings
the relatives looked upon her, when they heard
of her devotion to the lost son and brother; she
was Immediately offered home among them,
but it was gratefully declined; her duty was
accomplished and she preferred returning to
the lowy and self-denying course of life in
which her lot was cast.