Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-10-02
VOLUME VIII. NO. 40.


III 'ne iull blaze of light all my terrors in some
uegree smothered by the active exertions had
oeen making all day, returned full upon me-
IL was not only that she was wasted and pale.
out her eyes, drawn back into her head. had ,
most painful expression /; her lips were of a MIR.
pie tinge, and nervous witches passed freonen,.
ly over her face. L glanced round to see ;f ber
friends were all conducting themselves accord
ing to orders, and, observing slight Contraction
in the features of the gay old maid frowrod
at her and she, Immediately taking the hint
with great self commaHn, rattIed off story ,f,or
story, and bon-not after 3On-mot, until even
sort of half smile stole over poor Caras face.
A most painful smile it was, and nearly unman-
ned her husband, ignorant as he was of the
worst; but severe look brought him into obe-
dience again. shall never forget that dinner!
All ate and talked but the hostess; but truly
believe not one of the party knew what they ate,
and but little of what they said. We all felt it
was thing to be got over, and many were the
anxious glances turned towards the object of all
our solicitude who, unconcious that so many
loving eyes were feafulIy though covertly watch
ing, kept continually glancing at the clock, and
and often compared it with the watch. noticed
that each time the hour struck, her agitation in
creased and this became worse as the evening
advanced. A fine selfplayng organ in the
room, which everybody requested to hear again,
aided my efforts to protract the dinner as long as
possible; SO that when we arose, it was half
past eight-really halfpast nine. Mr.. Alder
son had previously requested that we might ac
company the ladies' after dinner, and not remain
at table after their departure and now Miss
Holman playfully entreated, that instead of re-
pairing to that great, large, formal drawing
room," we might be permitted, as great indul-
gence, to spend the evening in Mrs. Delawares
pretty boudor; and, as we all joined in the re-
quest, it was agreed to, and we accordingly re-
paired there. had been anxious to compass
this little arrangement, because, should it be
boudoir opened out of her bedroom, it was far
more convenient Scarcely were we establish
cd, however, when little circumstance occur
red which felt most indignant with myself for
not having foreseen, though scarcely know
how could have prevented it. Little Cecil was
brought in to receive his parents last kiss for
the day. Those who can from any conception
what a mothers feelings would be on beholding
for the last time only and ido!i1ed child, will
easily fancy with what conyalsire de-s7;r P3a.
c,~ru 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 martyrdom while this lasted: no
one could speak, and all bowed their heads to
conceal the emotions their utmost efforts could
not entirely repress At last motloned the
maid to take the child away and making d.
version by calling on Col. Delaware to assist me
in bringing forward the sofa, insisted on my
patient placing herself thereon, and seated my
self beside her; and, consulting her pulse from
time TO time, tried to draw her into conversa-
ton. Halfpast nine, and actually half-past ten,
was now reached; another dreadful hour and a.
half to drag over. Tea was brought, and the
became more easy, but my anxiety was becom-
inc almost intoerable. Clara was fast becom-
inr worse-every stroke of the clock seemed to
bear off some of her little remaining vitality
her hand, sometimes burning, had become cold
as death. Ten, half past ten, passed over, and
now the dreadful moment for us-not her-was
approached. Cenching my hand SO that the
nails entered the flesh, and biting my lips till
the blood ran down, awaited the first stroke OF
the real midnight hour. 1t passed; how great
was the relief He who read the hearts of all
present alone can tell. Every countenance be-
ran to lose its constrained look, as the passing
minutes made assurance doubly sure. Still
tembled for Clara.
| had intended to await the half-hour before
announced to her that her supposed prophecy
was false but when it reached quarter pas,
she became SO much worse--short sharp spasms
contracting her features, and her whole lace as
suming violet hue--that, apprehendlng she
would fall into convusions, dared no longer
delay tho announcement; so, rising from my
place, advanced to the table, and, striking it
loud enough to attract even Clara's attention, |
exclaimed
, "Colonel, go and embrace your wife--she IS
saved. With one word can effect her instant
= cure"
All rose at my words, and poor Clara fixed
upon me gaze of mingled wonder and incredu'
4 li(y.
q "Yes," continued, {" hereby proclaim the
vision which announced to Mrs. Delaware that
" she was to die this night at twelve o'clock to be
a false and lying one; because at this moment
she is living before US, and it is twenty minutes
= past twelve"
"You mistake, doctor; it is only eleven, moi
twelve" said she, as despair seemed again set
y Ting on her countenance.
+, "It is past twelve, assure you. Pardon US
nv dear Mrs. Deaware but, finding all reason
= ing powerless, your friends and have put back
= one hour every watch and clock on which YOU
: eyes have rested"
. I could now perceive a faint CLEAN Of hope
!, in her eyes as she breathlessy said, " But the
. church clock-I counted eleven myself not hal
an hour SINCE"
y "Ah," | replied, "that will be bad business
u for the Colonel; not less than hundred pound
presented to the parish will be deemed sufficient
il recompense by the high and mighty dignltarie'
!. of the parish. In half on hour we shall have
D. the pleasure of hearing it chime one' roo
T.; midnight has been tabooed from the quarter to
y night" -, -,
r / then produced second watch, with whicl
>. 7 had provided myself indicating the real time
h and also note from one Of the church-warden
/. to the Colonel, expressing the satisfaction fel
1t bv himself and colleagues at being able to serv