Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-03-17
sketebes of 91eal gife.
DEATH-BFD OF TOM PAIME--18o9.

OEkTH-BED OF TOM PAIME---1o09.
Tell me-" was the language Of the ancient,
''tell me not how man lives but how he dies,
before can judge of him." Believing there Is
much practical wisdom in this saying, and that
powerful antidote for nfidelity may be had in
an exhibition of its legitimate fruits, we take
from the g. S. Catholic Magazine the following
extract from a letter of Bishop Fenwick to his
brother ut Georgetown College
A short time before Paine died was sent for
by him. He was prompted to this by poor
Catholic woman, who went to see him in his
sickness and who told him among other things,
that, in his wretched condition, if any body
could do him good it would be a Roman Catholic
priest. This woman was an American convert,
formerly Shaking Quakeress) whom had re-
ceived into the church but few weeks before
She was the bearer of the message to me from
Paine. stated this circumstance to T. Kohl
mann, at breakfast, and requested him to accom-
pany me. After some solicitation on my part,
he agreed TO do so !; at which l was greatly re-
ioiced, because was at that time young and in
experienced in the ministry, andwas glad to have
his assistance, as knew from the great reputa-
zion of Paine, that should have to do with one
We shortly after set out for the house, at
Greenwich where Paine lodged, and on our way
agreed upon a mode of proceeding with him.
We arrived at the house decent looking ell
derly woman (probably his houselleeper) came to
the door, and inquired whether We were Catho-
lie priests for," said she, Mr.. Paine has been
much annoyed of late by ministers of other
denominations calling upon him. that he has left
express orders with me to admit no one to-day
bat the clergymen of the Catholic church. -
Upon assuring her that we were Catholic Cler-
gyman, she opened the door and showed us into
the parlor. She then left the room, and shortly
after returned to inform 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 It's better to wait little till he awake "
We accordingly sat down, and resolved to await
. more favorable moment Gentlemen" said
the lady, having taken her seat also, 81 really
wish YOU may succeed with Mr.. Paine, for he is
iaboring under great distress of mind ever since
he was informed by his physicians that he can
not possibly live, and must die shortly lie sent
for you to-day, because he was told that If any
che could do him good, you might. Possibly he
may think you know of some remedy which his
physicians are ignorant of. He is truly to be
pitied His cries, when he is left alone, areheart
Tending. % Lord help me y he viii eXclaim du-
7lng his paroxysms of distress God help me
Jesus Christ help me = repeating the same ex-
prsssions without any, the least variation in a
zone of voice that would alarm the house. Some
sinss he will say, 90 God what have done to
suffer so much y Then shortly after, But there
Is TO God And again, little after-'Yet if
there should be, what will become of me hereaf-
ter 2 Thus he will continue for sometime, when
On a sudden he will scream as if in terror and
1gony, and call out for me by name. On one of
those occasions, which very frequent, / went
60 him and inquired what he wanted Stay with
me- he replied, for Gods sake, for I cannot bear
to be alone / then observed that l could not
zIwsys be with him, as had much to attend to
81 the house. Then said he, send even child
20 stzy with me. for If iS a hell tn be alone 81
never saw she concluded, "a more unhappy, a
more Sorsaken man he seems he cannot recon
oile himself to die"
Such was the conversation OF the woman who
had received US, and who probably had been en-
pioyel to nurse and take care of him during his
Illness She was protestant, yet seemed very
desirous that we should afford him some relief IN
his state of abandonment, bordering on complete
despair. Having remained thus some time IN the
parlor, we at length heard noise in the adjoin-
ing room, across the passageway, which induced
Is to believe that Mr.. Paine, who was sick in
that room, had awoke. We accordingly propos-
ed to proceed thither, which was assented to bv
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
T-aeyer before beheld. He was lying in a bed,
sufficiently decent in itself, but at present be-
sneared with filth /; bis eyes haggard, his coun-
tenance forbidding, and his whole appearance that
oE one whose better days had been one continued
debouch. 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
rs-y recently of it, as the sides and corners Of
LIS mouth exhibited very unequirocal traces OF
Z. ss rell as OF blood, which had also flowed in
the tra,k and left its mark on the pillow. His