Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-02-03
BY D. W. &P.G JOHNSON.

surprising fire, and his decorations. Ills only
payment was the revealing of this mystery, and .
my father ielt quite contonlel with This pit
lance."
The friend insisted no longer, aud The notary
lconlnued 10 live like a man who felt himself
stronger than the tomb.
| Sometime after this, the old man experienced
one Of those inexplicablc sensations which, to
Certain powerful organizations, are presage Of
death. He called his servant, an old Breton,
who had waited on HIM for forty years, with The
patience Of beaver, and the fidelity ofa dog.
"Jean," said he, laying his hand on the
shoulder Of his ancient scrvilor, remember we'll
what am going to say TO thee, and swear 10 me
to do what am going to ask Of thee"
al swear ii" said the Breton.
"lr should die suddenly, make me take an
ice as soon as il shall be evident that am
dead"
The Breton, accustomed to passive obedience.
promised to de SO without making any obserya-
lliou."
From that day, every evening during whole
month, the notary repeated his commands TO the
old servant.
One morning the notary was struck with ap.
oplcxy. The physician declared that every
remedy was useless, that it would be impossible
to call him to life again, even for five minules.
The rauling in The old nolary's throat was
Gighrul.
His blcodshot eyes stared upon the Breton
with terrific iixity. For a moment he raised
himself on his elbow, reached his hand toward
the servant, and said to him in voice which
seemed like the last cry of the death agony,
"Remember!"
And he fell back on the pillow lifeless mass.
lie was dead.
1t was known that the notary had many ar.
rangcments 10 make; he had frequently stated
his intention of leaving lcgacies 10 grandson
whose mother was dead, aud 10 several Of the
servants. In this palrarcha family, in which
respect for the palernal authority was preserved
= entire, the old noiary's death excited, in the
: mind Of his eldest son, Il pous regret that he
r was unable loobey wishes, which, though he had
+ partly OWNED them, he did not clearly compre.
hend.
A profound silence rcigncd in the chamber Of
/ DEATH that terrible silence which is interrupted
only by sobs. Jean, kneeling in Il corner, was
r praying with that cryent ardur which the Brc-
Q ton peasants drink in with their molher'S milk.
. When he had done praying he arose.
= "Monsieur," said he 10 his son, This is the
, moment"
d The son looked at the servant us one who does
c not comprehend.
f Yes monsieur" continued Jean; "2ehaps il
, is a sucriIegc, but have sworn, ! must obey"
The son suddenly remembered the belief
. which the old notary had entertained since the
S visit of the Italian Count.
= Thou art brave, worthy survitor," said
; he 10 Jean; shut dost thou believe that what my
, poor father has demanded Of thee, can possibly
: be of any use!'
81 believe in God" replied the Breton; ''iI
4 my action is criminal, have prayed that the
. fault may rest with me only. | must do as
/, promised"
c "Go them" said the son,
c Jean went out, and soon returned, with an ice
0 upon tray. He approached the notary's bed
and raised the sheet which ious hand had
= thrown over the face. The features were al
y ready stamped with the character of serene
- grandeur and majesty, which death imprnts up.
on the forehead of men.
:, Jean laid his hand upon the notary's breasts
;, it was already cold as marble; the heart beat nc
n longer. Stiffness had entered into the limbs
when the vital warmth departed.
- The old servant opened The lips Of the dead
!, and slipped spoonful of ice between his teeth
= Jean himself was as pale as The corpse of his
;, MASTER He continued his work, which borrow
i ed from the end which he proposed to himself
=. Il character Of mystery, solemnity, and eXpecta
:, lion.
,s Suddenly q shudder passed through the frame
,. Of the notary; he opened his eyes and sat up.
n "My lather!" cried the son, springing towur(
" tho bed.
Il "My son, am dead" said the notary, raising
>. his cold and Iivid hand; "roubc not this hour
a Bring notary; 60, my second life will last bu
:, one hour"
,. The voice of the dead man had an accent 81
IT clear and so firm, his glance was so full of fire
ID his gesture so authoritative, that the son obeyed
,e A cold sweat stood upon his brow.
:. "Jean," resumed the corpse Of the notary
thanks; get ready quickly table, pens and ink
Mt set chair; good.
Ie The son entered, followed by notary, whc
I'd had been intimately acquainted with the parl
Is arch of the company"
IS Make haste, my dear D." exclaimed
,e the dead man, 81 count the moments"
,e The notary took his seat, dipped his pen ii
is ink, and commenced the preamble usual in act
r. of this kind.
n. When he had finished, he raised his head.
"Very good," said the corpse, snow write
ut With voice clear and sonorous as the soun(
a Of a light hammer striking on plate Of steel
re he dictated his last wishes. His eyes shone lik
or phosphorus, and neither Jean nor his son cou
so bear their briance.
o; When he had finished, he took Jean and hi
son by the hand, sighed deeply, and fell bac
It. heavily upon his bed. r-.
Is His mouth was closed, and the blazing lustr
it. Of his eyeballs had disappeared like the flare
m a torch which had been blown out.
&C. Two days afterwards the old notary was in
no TERED.
e Such is the history. monsieur: mud The biblic