Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-11-06

AsS"'s NNASaSSSs auutSSS- Suc dlSO UIu
known our invalid from her birth, and a strong
friendship existed between them. / had, Of
course, invited myself to this momentous din
ner of my own arranging and, moreover, had
requestad Colonel Delaware to bring home to
dinner. apparently by accident, the Rev. VIII
son Anderson, an old friend of the family, and
bright example of all a Christian pastor ought
to be. There was an expression in his benign
and reverend countenance of such complete in-
ternal conviction of the divine nature of his
profession, and the truths he was called upon
to inculca,e. that inspired at once confidence
and affection; and yet the unbeiever and the
scoifer invariably shrunk from his calm, clear
gaze. had not forgotten 10 pay him visit
in my morning rounds; and could not but
hope the presence of such man, the type of
all that is most cheering and consoliug in our
holy religion, would not be without It's effect
on our poor sinking hostess When we were
all assembled, the greeting over, we descended
10 the dlning-room, which Mrs. Delaware
reached with less difficulty than had appre-
hended. When l saw her in the full blaze of
light, all my terrors, in some degree smothered
by the active exertions had been making all
day, returned full npon me- 1t was not only
that she was wasted and pale, but her eyes
drawn back into her head, had most painful
expression her lips were of purple uuee,
and nervous twitches passed frequently over
her face. glanced round TO see il her friends
were all conducting themselves according TO
orders, and observing slight contraction in
the features Of the CAV old maid. frowned at
her; and she, immediately taking the hint,
with great selt-command, ratified off story after
story. and boa-Dlot after bon-p.ot, until even
sort ofhalf smile stole over poor Clara's face.
A most painful smile il was, and nearly un-
manned her husband, ignorant as he was Of
the worst; but a severe look brought him into
obedience again. shall never forget that din
neri All ate and talked but the hostess bn,
truly believe not one of the party knew what
they ale, and but little of what they said. We
all felt that it was thing 10 be 60, over, and
many were the anxious glanccs turned towards
the object of all our solicitude, who, uncon-
scious that so many loving eyes were fesrfully
though coyertly watching, kept continually
glancing at the clock, and often compared ii
with the watch. noticed that each time the
became worse as the evening advanced. A
fine self-playiug organ in the room, which ev-
cry body requested 10 hear again, aided my ef-
forts 10 proiraci the dinner as long as possible !;
so that when We arose, i, was half-past eight
really halt-past nine. Mr.. Alderson had
previously requested that We might accompany
the ladies after dinner, and not remain at table
after their departure and now Miss Holman
playiully entreated that, instead of repairing to
that great, large, formal drawing-room,' we
might be permitted, as a great indulgence, 10
spend the evening in Mrs. Delaware's pretty
boudoir; and, as We all joined in the request.
1t was agreed to, and we accordingly repaired
there. ] had been anxious To complete this
little arrangement, because, should ii be need
ful to convey my patient to her bed, as her
boudoir opened out of her bedroom, it was far
more convenient. Scarcely were we estab-
lished. however, when little circumstance oc-
Cured which felt most indignant with myself
for not having foreseen, though l scarcely
know how could have prevented it. Little
Cecil was brought in to receive his parents
l,s, l,ss f,r Eh,S., hr
any conception what mothers feelings would
be on beholding for the last time an only and
idolized child, will easily fancy with what CON
vulsive despair poor Clara strained her boy to
her heart; and those who cannot, will not be
rendered more feeling by any description |
could give. may say we all endured martyr
and all bowed their heads TO conceal the emo
iion their utmost efforts could not entirely re-
press.
AT last mcticned the maid TO take the child
away, and making diversion by calling on
Col. Delaware to assist me in bringing forw ard
the sofa. Insisted on my patient placing her
self thereon, and seated myself beside her !;
and, consulting her pulse from time 10 time.
tried to draw her into conversation. Half-past
nine, and actually half-past ten was now
reached, another dreadful hour and half to
drag over. Tea was brought, and the CONVEX
sa,ion became more easy (; but my anxiety was
becoming almost uncomfortable. Clara was
fast becoming worse-every stroke ot the
clock seemed to bear off some Of her lIrlIe
remaining vitality; her hand, sometimes
burning, had become cold as death. Ten,
half past ten, passed over, aud now the
dreadful moment for us-not her-was ap-
preached. Clenching my hand so that the
nails entered the flesh, and biting my lips
ill the blood ran down, awaited the FIRST
stroke Of the real midnight hour. II passed;
how great was the relief, He who read the
hearts of all present, alone can tell. Every
counienance began 10 brighten, every voice
began 10 lose its constrained tone, as the
passing minutes made assurance doubly
sure. Still trembled for Clara.
had intended to await the half hour be-
fore announced TO her that her supposed
prophecy was false; but when it reached a
quarter past, she became SO much worse
short. sharp spasms contracting her features
and her whole face assuming a violet hue
that, apprehending she would fall into COLI
vulsions, dared not longer delay the an
nouncement; so, rising from my chair,