American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-03-02

place which words arc inadequate to describe.
la no city, however, are the poor more care
fully attended, during the severe scourge, than
they are in New Orleans; but my readers must
take into consideration the number misfortune
renders amenable to the cause of death.
On one Of the beds near the centre of the
room lay sick man in the last stage OF the
disease. The officiating physician had just IN
formed him there was no hope-death was do
ing its work. The man resigned himself
calmly to his fate. On the bed which stood
Immediately opposite that Of the dying mans,
was one who had Just been brought in from
his boarding houses his case was also consider
ed desperate.
In sick room-and who has not experience
ed the agonizing feelings and snaerings Of one?
there are objects on which the eye rests IN
those moments when pain permits the reason
to roam i'll lis mental wdnderIngs, and gazes
upon some object, calling up as it were the
droa ms Of the past, when health and strength
went hand in hand with hope, and the bright
sunshine Ofthe happy future CLEANED before us;
there is a dreamy luxury in this, which can on
ly be realized by those who have experienced
this exercise of mind in the moment Of dan
ger, and who love to dwell upon it.
The writer of this, IN IS32, during the pre-
vIence of as severe an epidemic as ever pre-
vailed in New Orleans, suffered an attack OF
yellow fever, and believes that his life was
saved by his strength Of mind overcoming the
alarm created by the idea OF dying among
strangers, and a disease considered by many
incurable. The Imagination does more harm
in cases ofsickness than disease itself.
One of these men TO whom particularly al
lude, the nature Of the disease permitted to IN
dulge in this "fitful dream" between life and
death; modification had already taken place and
his pains were lulled. The light OF life was
going out, and the shadowy outline OF the
grave was before him. At this moment the
man opposite him turned-their eyes met-lus-
treless as they were; dmmed by the waters OF
oblivion which were rushing from them, to
close up the fountain forever. The Iecognl-
ton was mutual half uttered exclamation
Of surprize, the ourstretched arms, which iell
poWerless at their side-"WillaR, is that your"
An agonizing groan was the answer Years
had passed away since they last parted, and
now where did they meet? In the house of
death! "Oh, God; my brother, IS not this aw-
ful to meet this-reach-your hand, one pres
sure-I-." Uttering this he fell back.
The other could not speak, he had not tGtored
himself to die; it had not been told him that his
hours were numbered. The shock was too
much for him; he stretched his hand, as it were,
mechanically; the other witnessed the motion,
Desperate even in death, he raised himself up,
and, by superhuman effort he rose from his
bed, toLtered across the room, caught the eX-
tended fevorish hand of his brother, (tor they
were brothers) kissed his quivering lips, which
were now closing forever, attempted to speak,
but voice and strength failed. He turned
round for the purpose of regaiRng his own
bed. One look-one step-he laid down, and
in few moments the two brothers were
DEAD,