Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-04-13
A Thrilling Sketch.


One of my fathers brothers, resi-
ding in Boston at the time when the
yellow fever prevailed to such a
trightiul extent, became a victim to
TO the pestilcncc. When the first
symptoms appeared, his wife sent
the children into the country, and re
NAMED to attend upon him. Her
friends warned her against such rash
ness. They told her itwould be death
to her, and no benefit to him: for he
would soon be too i'll to know who
attended upon him. These argu-
made no impression on her affection
ate heart. She accordingly stayed,
and watched with unremitting care.
This however, did not avail to save
him. lie grew worse and worse, and
finally died. Those who wcntround
with the dead carts had visited the
chamber and seen that the end was
near They now came to take the
body. His wife refused to let it 90.
She told me that she never knew
how to account for it, though he was
perfectly cold and rigid, and to every
appearance dead, there was a pow
eriul impression on her mind that life
was not extinct. The men were over
borne by the strength of her convic
ton, though their reason was opposed
to it.
The half hour again came round,
and was heard the solemn words,
Bring out your dead" The wife
again resisted their opportunities; but
this time the men were more resolute
They said the duty assigned them
was a painful one, but the health OF
the town required punctual obedience
to the orders they received; if they
ever expected the pestilence to abate
it must be by prompt removal Of
the dead, and immediate fumigation
of the infected apartments.
She pleaded, and pleaded, and E.
ven lnelt to them in agony of tears,
continually saying II am sure he is
not dead" The men represented
the utter absurdity of such an idea;
bat finally overcome by her tears a
gain departed. With trembling haste
she renewed her efforts to restore
him. She raised his head, and rolled
his limbs in hot nannel, and placed
hot onions at his feet The dreadful
half hour again came round, and
found him "a cold and rigid as
ever. She renewed her entreaties so
desperately, that the messengers be-
gan to think little gentle force
would be necessary. They accord
insly attempted to remove the body
against her will, but she threw her,
self upon it, and chung to itwith such
frantic strength, that they could not
easily loosen her grasp. Impressed by
the remarkable energy otherwll they
relaxed their efforts. To all their
remonstrances abe answered, IF YOU
bury him, you shall bury me with him
At last, by dint of reasoning on the
necessity of the case, they obtained
from her a promise that if he showed
no signs of life before they again
came round, she would make no fur
opposition to the removal.
Having gained this respite, she
hung the watch upon the bed post,
and renewed her efforts with redoub.
led zeal. She kept kegs of hot water
about him, forced hot brandy between
his teeth, and breathed into his nos
trils, and held hartshorn to his nose;
but still the body lay motionless and
cold. She looked anxiously at the
watch, and in five minutes the prom
ised half hour would expire when
those dreadful. voices would be heard
sounding through the room. Hope
lcssness came over her--shc dropped
the head she had been sustaning-her
hand trembled violently, and the
hartshorn she had been holding spill
ed on the pallii face. Accidentally
the position of the head had become
slightly tipped backward and the
powerful liquid flowed into his nos
tril- Instantly there was short quick
gasp--a struggle--his eyes opened!
and-when the deathmen came again,
they found him sitting up in the bed!
He is still. alive, and has enjoyed un-
usually good heaIth.-Mrs. l.. NJ
Child. -..-