Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-02-25

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to me from Paine. stated this circum
stance to F. Kohlmann, at breakfast, All
b requested him 10 accompany me. Ate
Z some solicitation on my part, he agreed Il
E do so at which | was greatly reioiced
5 because | was at the time quite young ant
| inexperienced in the ministry, and was gla,
to have his assistance, as | knew, from th,
great reputation Of Paine, that l shoule
have TO do with one OF the most impious a
well as infamous OF men.
We shortly after sci out for the house,
at Greenwich, where Paine lodged, and on
our way agreed upon mode Of proceeding
with him.
We arrived at the house decent look
ing elderly woman probably his house,
keeper) came 10 the door. and inquired
whether we were Catholic priests; "for,"
said she, "Mr. Paine has been so much
annoyed of late by ministers Of other de-
nominations calling upon him, that he has
left express orders with me 10 admit no one
to-day but the clergymen of the Catholic
church" Upon assuring her that we
were Catholic Clergymen, she opened the
door and showed us into the parlor. She
then left the room, and shortly after re-
turned 10 inform us that Paine was asleep,
and at the same time expressed wish that
we would not disturb him 'for," said she.
che is always in a bad humor when reused
out OF his sleep; Ills better 10 wait a little
till he awake" We accordingly sat down,
and resolved to await a more favorable
moment. "Gentlemen," said the lady, af-
Ter having taken her seat also, 81 really
wish you may succeed with Mr.. Paine, for
he is laboring under great distress of mind
ever since he was informed by his physi-
clans that he cannot possibly live and must
die shortly. He sent for You to-day, be-
cause he was told that if any one could do
him good, you might. Possibly he NAV
think you know of some remedy which his
physicians are ignorant Of. He is truly 10
be'pltied. His cries, when he is left alone,
are heart-rending. 80 Lord help me :" he
will exclam during his paroxysms OF sis-
tress; "God help me Jesus Christ help
me !" repeating the same expressions with
out any, the least variation, in tone of
voice that would alarm the house. Some
times he will say, 80 God, what have I
done TO suffer so much :" then sho,tly after,
"But there is no God - And again, little
after-"Yet if there should BE-, what will
become of me hereafter 2" Thus he will
continue for some time, when on a sudden
he will scream as if in terror and agony,
and call out for me by name. On one OF
these occasions, which are very frequent, |
went TO him and inquired what he wanted.
"Stay with me-" he replied, "ior Gods
sake, for | cannot bear to be alone" l
then observed that | could not always be
with him, as had much TO attend to in
the house. "Then" said he, "scnd even
child to stay with me, for il is hell to be
a'one." "l never saw" she concluded, ga
more unhappy, more forsaken man il
seems he cannot reconcile himself 10 die"
Such was the conversation OF the woman
who had received us, and who probably
had been employed TO nurse and take care
! OF him during his illness. She was prot
estant, yet seemed very desirous that we
should afford him some reliefin in his state of
abandonment, bordering on complete des-
pair. Having remained thus some time in
the parlor, we al length heard noise in
the adjoining room, across the passageway,
which induced US to believe that Mr..
Paine, who was sick in that room, had
awoke. We accordingly proposed to pro-
ceed thither, which was assented to by the
woman ; and she opened the door for us.
On entering we found him just getting out
OF his slumber. A more wretched being
in appearance | never before beheld. He
was lying in bed, sufficiently decent in
itself, but at present besmeared with filth
his look was that Of man greatly tortured
in mind his eyes haggard, his coun,enance
forbidding, and his whole appearance that
OF one whose better days had been one
continued scene of debauch. His only
nourishment at this time we are Informed,
was nothing more than milk punch, IN
which he INDUCED to the full extent of his
weak state. He had partaken undoubtedly
but very recently Of it, as the sides and
corners Of his mouth exhibited very une-
quivocal traces OF it, as well as of blood,
which had also flowed in the track, and
left its mark on the pillow. His face, to
certain extent, had also been besmeared
with it. The head of his bed was against
the side of the room through which the
door opened F. Kohlmann having enter
ed first, took his seat on the side near the
foot of his bed. took my seat on the
same side nearer the head. Thus, in the
posture in which Paine lay, his eyes could
easily bear on F. Kohlmann, but not on
me easily, without turning his head.
AS soon as we had seated ourselves, +.
Kohlmann, in a very mild tone of voice,
Informed him that we were Catholic
priests, and were come, on his invitation,
to see him. Paine made no reply. After
a short pause, F. Kohlmann proceeded
thus, addressing himself 10 Paine, in the
French language, thinking that, as Paine
had been 10 France, he was probably ac-
qua'nted with that language, (which was
not the iact,) and might understand better
what he saio, as he had al that time great
er facility, and could express bis thoughts
better IN 1t than in English
"Mons. Paine, j'ai lu votre l;vre intitute
RGge de Ia Raison, ou vous avez attaque
recrlture sainte avec une violence, sans
ooraes, ct d'autres de vos ecrits publies en-
France ct ie suis persuade vue"-Paine
mere interrupted him abrnntIv. and m n