Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-06-16

| Hti dgltdtlOu l1CfcdSeU, ana tnlS Ne
came worse as the evening advan-
ced. A fine seli-playiDg organ in
the room, which everybody request
ed TO hear again, aided my efforts to
proract tho dinner as long rs posi-
bic so that when we rose it was
half-past eight--really half-past
nine.
Mr. Anderson had rogue sted that
we might accompany the ladies soon
after dinner, and not remain nj table
after their departure Miss Holman
playlully entreated that instead Of
repairing 10 that, we permitted, a. a
great indulgence TO spend the even
ing in Mrs. Delware's pretty boudoir
and as we all joined in the request,
II was agreed to, and we accordingly
REPAIRED there. had been anxious
TO compass this little arrangement,
because should i, be needful TO con-
vey my patient 10 bed, as her bou
DIR opened out Of her bed room, it
void be more convenient.
Scarcely we're we established,
however, when little circumstance
occtrrcd, which felt most indignant
will myself for not having foreseen,
though ! scarcely know how | could
have prevented it. Little Cecil was
brought 10 receive his parents last
hiss for the day. Those who can
form an, conception what mothers
feelings would be on beholding for a
last time AN only and idolzed child,
will easily fancy with what convul-
sive despair poor Clara strained her
boy to her heart those who cannot,
will moi be rendered more feeling by
any description ! could give. may
say that we all endured martyrdom
while this lasted no one could
speak, aud all bowed their heads TO
conceal the emotion their utmost ef-
forts could not entirely repress. AT
last ! molioned to the maid to take
the child away and making diver
sion by calling on Colonel Delaware
to help me bring forward the sofa,
insisted on my patient placing her
self thereon, and seated myself be-
side her and consulting her pulse |
from time 10 lime, tried to draw her
into conversation.
Aalf-past nine. and actually half /
past ten, was now reached another
dreadful hour and a half To drag
over. Tea was brought, and the
conversation became more easy but
my anxiety was becoming almost in
tolerable. Clara was fast becoming
worse every stroke OF the clock
seemed To bear off some of her re-
naming vitality; her hand, some
times burning, had become cold as
death
Ten, and half-pas, ten, passed
/ over, and now the dreaded moment
for us--not her-was approachcd.-
/ Clenching my hand so that the nails
entered the flesh, and biting my lips
H'. the blood ran down, | awaited the
.Irst stroke OF the real midnight hour.
1t passed how great was the relief
He who had read the hearts Of those
present alone can tell. Every coun-
tenance began to brighten, every
voice began To lose It's constrained
tone, as the passing minutes made
assurance doubly sure. Still rem-
bled for Clara
had intended to wait tie half
hour before announced to her tina,
her supposed prophecy was false
but when il reached a quarter past,
she became So much worse-shori
spaSms contracted her features, and
her whole face assumed violet hue,
that, experimenting that she would
fall into commissions, | dared no
longer delay the announcement so,
rising from my place, ! advanced TO
the table, and striking it loud enough
to attract Clara's attention, | ex-
claimed--
Colonel, go and embrace your
wife-she is saved. With one word
] can effect an instant cure
All rose at my words, and Clara
fixed upon me gaze Of wonder and
incredibly.
Yes" continued, 4" | hereby
proclaim the vision which announced |
10 Mrs. Delaware that she was to
die this night at twelve o'clock, to
be false and lying one because at
his moment she is living before US,
aud II istwenty minutes past twelve"
A" You mistake, doctor, it is only
eleven, not twelve" said she, as de-
spalr seemed again settling on her
countenance.
Ii is past twelve, assure you.-l
Pardon us, my dear Mrs. Delaware,
but finding all reason powerless,
your friends and have put back one
hour every watch and clock on which
your eyes rested"
could now perceive a faint
CLEAN OF hope in her eyes as she |
breathlessly said, "but the church
clock counted eleven not half an
hour since"
Ah," replied, 4" that will be bad
business for the Colonel; not less
than hundred pounds presented TO
the parish will be deemed sufficient
recompense by the high and mighty
dignllaries of the parish. In half an /
hour we shall have the pleasure of
hearing it chime one. Poor midnight |
has been iatooed for the quarter To- I
night"
then produced a second watch,