Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-05-11
A NIGHT scene IN NEW ORLEANS.

A correspondent of the New Orleans Delta
gives the following touching sketch ola death
scene that he recently Witnessed in the Cres-
cent City. The story is one of falsehood,
credulity, abandonment and ruin:
But few weeks ago. having waited in
vain a a coffee house for lull, determined
on returning 10 the Second Municipality, where
| resided. The clock had struck eleven,
without any sign OF a change; so gathering
my cloak around me, and holding my head
well down, | stepped on rapidly. Not soul
was stirring, and save the bowling oflhe storm
theonly sound heard was the watcEmans sig
na!and the occasional coarse laugh of the pro-
fliga,e, mingled with the shril tenor Of his
wretched companions As I passed the
houses of these poor outcasts, a few care
worn faces, wreaihed in smiles, now and
then peered into the darkness from between
the partially closed shutters, their hagged
features causing 10 shudder and quicken my
pace. On | went, revolving IN my mind the
past, present and future of their lives. when,
on passing a dilapidated building voice
low and quiveIing, as if in prayer, reached
my ear and arrested my footsteps.
The building was old and in many places
had crumbled 10 decay, and the windows
were utterly destitute Of glass. A dingy,
faded screen alone concealed the interior. and
the light was so indiatinct that nothing was
distnguishable through the half opened door
was about moving on again, when | heard
a few words which riveted me to the spot
1t was female voice, calling upon God for
delverance from her misery. | at once
pushed open The rickety door, and cropping
my way into the interior, the wretched occu.
pant was before me. On a handful of straw
lay woman, apparently twenty years OF
age, her long light hair hanging disheyeled
around her careworn and haggard face, her
altenhated form almost destitute of clothing
and her eyes bloodshot and wandering.
felt her pulse, and found she was in high
state of fever.
"Ilow long have you been i'll 2" inquired
''lll Oh God, release me from this world
of sin. A fire consumes me; death stare.
me in the face, but will not take me. | am
thirsty; give me; but no, must no
have brandy. Oh, save me, sir, am dying !!
gazed for a moment on the unfortunate
woman before me. Hers must have beer
an eventful life. Evidently born Of tespecta
Bile parents, even nuriurned in refinement
and now dying alone, frendless, and starving
| told her would return again, Immediately
and hurried from the apartment in quest of /;
medical friend, who lived not far from tht
ance for her.
In less than an hour all was arranged :;
clean, comfortable apartment was prepared
for her, and such resioratives as were deem
ed necessary were administered by my irien(
But, alas, we soon saw that the fame wa
but hickering in the lamp--the time she
could occupy it would be but short. For
short time she slept deep unnatural sleep
My friend and myself sat by her bedside
determined 10 soolhe her troubled mind a
much as lay in our power when she awoke
and silently we watched her. At length
with a loud, tremulous sigh, she opened he
eyes, and after surveying the room she res,e'
her feverish hand on mine. "oh, that
could live to shank YOU" said the poor crea
ture 'bui my time is short i feel the coll
hand Of death upon me but far better is
die than suffer as have done. Is il too late
No. have repenied-l have sought an
prayed TO The Almighty for new life, and
dare hope forgiveness
,