Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-12-15
my breast seems all crushed in, and my
lungs seem filling with blood
~ Il i l1,,nd E,r

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helr.' = 2 a." .-.''-.-.f rar --.
mo dearest he wi ispered, sonly take me
iu your arms, and let me tiie on. your bosom,
under The s.ars-alons with you, have
strength even 10 de- .r =s!, s....
Then Fanny, bewildered broken hearted
but strangely calm, rnised Henry's head
and pillow ed il on her breast Those thick
curls she had seen 50 little while ago, and
bright with dew, were now dark and heavy,
with blood trckling from severe wound
in the temple. Oh, then, Fanny was no
longer shy or chary Of her tenderness
She passionately kissed the lips, The eyes,
the brow, the already cold hand of her
lover. She avished on him oil the endear-
ing names, the fond protessalioBs her d!Hi.
dent, girlish heart had been storing up for
the use Of wife, through years of trial, sor-
row, and ever deepening affection. Then
she wept and prayed, and folded that poor
and wounded head against her breast, as
though to slauneh the blood, which only
| flowed the faster for the warmth; stained
all her bosom, and turned those pale blush
roses to deepest crimson. Henry, who
seemed to have been again insensible, sud
denly opened his eyes and whisped- -,-
my blood will spoil that beautiful blue
dress!' 5.fe.s r ~ ;-
'Oh, my love! my soulF cried Fanny,
swould to God it flowed from my own hear!
Would to God | could die for you, for
cannot, will not, stay in this dark world
when you are gone, Henry; for my life is
in your love. ss=,a a. r
| 'My dearest, do not grieve so bitterly;
something tells me, even now, that we shall
not be long parted; only be patient, love,
for little while s...'5 s+es5 b..
After lying quite silent for some mo.
-ments, looking upwards, he exclaimed, al-
most in his usual voice .>--s q ...-..-.
'My spirit is passing, Fanny; Heaven is
ready now; all the stars seem to have rush
ed together, and formed one great central
brightness-a world Of light to which |
rise!' Then reaching up his arms and
winding them about Der neck, he murmured
Kiss me once more, my Fanny, my dear,
my only love, my wife; once more good
night!'
AS he breathed these words, stream of
blood, looking so fearfully black in the dim
starlight, poured from his lips; his arms
dropped, and Henry Lester was deadl
Then Fanny fell forward upon his breast,
and sent forth shrek so fearful and pierc-
iEg that every slumberer in her home was
reused, and guided by the voice OF her
long pent up agony, came TO look upon the
piteous sight OF her awful bereavement.
In that pleasant parlor, where but an
hour before had sat the betrothed lovers, in
life and love, in loves most blessed hope
and most unutlerable Joy, was now extended
the form of one ghastly, bleeding, dead!
while over it hung the pale, distracted face
Of her who kept oil night her watch Of
speechless unimagnb!e sorrow.
Fanny Austin could not follow her lover
to the grave. Alter her last lingering look
at his. face as he lay in his coffin,she for the
FIRST time tainted. She was borne in her
room, where she remained insensble for
some hours That night, she said to her
mother, who watched at her side
'Where have they laid Henry?'
In the south west corner of the grave
yard under the large elm tree,' was the re-
ply All the succeeding day, Fanny's
grief was bitter and desparing, but q, night
she was calmer, and earnestly desired 10 be
left quite alone. Early the next morning,
her mother went to her chamber, and was
surprised to find her looking much like her
former self, and speaking almost cheerfully;
but towards night she relapsed into fits OF
passionate weeping, most desolate ard
hopeless grieving. Again, with sleep seem
ed to come peace, even an exhaltation Of
spirit, which eonduced only for the morning
hours and so it continued throughout the
week. The poor child gave her mother
beautiful explanation of this mystery
Every night she said, my Henry comes
to me in a vision. He folds me in his
arms, and lays his hand on my hot FORE
head, and looks SO pitifully into my eyes;
he wipes away my tears and comforts me,
oh, so diylnely! He looks as he always
did on earth, only yet more beautiful. |
was go proud of his beauty, mother, that |
did not think it possible he could grow
more beautiful, even in heaven; but he
seems so in my dream. He gives me
strength and joy to sustain me till we meet
again; but l am SO weak that before the
long day is through, it leaves me. Yet he
never IalS 10 come 10 me, OF uTaw Hi1 u
him-I scarce know which. seem in q
state like that Of the Apostle, when he knew
not whether he was in the body or out;
only know I am with him, and content
A strange rumor spread through The
neighborhood, and finally reached The fam
lily Of Fanny, that some bela'ed traveller
had seen in the midst Of the night, shape
of shining white gliding about the grave Of
Henry Lester. But no one among his
friends was SO superstltious as to heed the
story. ta~ q
On Saturday night, just one week from
the time of :he heart>breaking tragedy,
Fanny 3 father who was physician, was
riding homeward, some time after twelve,
and as he was passing the grave yard, in
sight Of his house, he was startled TO observe
some white object at the grave OF young
Lester DR.. Austin was a truly brave
man, and after moment Of indeclson, he
dismounted and entered the lonely burial
place. The appearance at the grave grew
more and more distinct, as he drew softly