Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-12-21

$50 do yours. It would be strange if we
were both sick together"
"Oh, am not sick" responded Lucia,
attempting to rise; but she fell back heayi-
4 " on the bed.
my poor wife! what shall we do too,
cannot rise"
81 had hoped to make yoa something re-
freshing to drink, but my brain reels and
throbs so suddenly, and tho shooting pains
fly from limb to limb"
Higher rose the sun, glaring on the forest
of snow, yet no smoke came from the CHIN
ney of Casper Fontaine.
The neighbors wondered, and thought the
old couple had oversight themselves. Broad
noon, aud still no signs of life from the usu-
ally busy inmates.
.'Mary, Just run over there" said farmer
to his rosy checked daughter, sand see if
anything has happened; it is very strange
all seems so still; they are usually up before
we are"
Mary came flying back in a few moments
Her cheek had lost its rose, and her eyes
were overfiowing with tears.
81 knocked at the door, father; everything
was silent. l crept round to the east room
where they slept, and l heard Fontaine
groaning dreadfully. Do go there, father
l know they must be sick"
The father instantly accompanied his child
back, while his wife hurried the meal that
she might have some warm drink for them
should either be sick The door was fas-
tened; but through a low window Mary
crept and cautiously undid the bolt and
both together moved to the sleeping apart
ment
Flushed high with fever and their eyes
CLASSY and glaring, their gray locks in dis
order, the two laid side by side. Casper
was wandering through other scenes; but
his wife was sensible, and her eyes were fas-
tened upon the dear, delirious one.
"Oh, neighbor," she family moaned, 81 be-
leve You find US very near death; but what
ever YOU do" she continued, placing her hot
hand in his, ''don't separate us, will you -
Let us be together to the last, as we have
been through life Don't let them separate
us, viii YOU"
The warm tears rushed to the farmers
eyes.
"No, no. Mrs. Fontaine, do not fear," he
half sobbed, as he left the apartment.
A physician was summoned. He shook
his head. Theirs was a malignant fever;
they were very old; they might 90 at any
moment He advised their being removed
into different beds; but Lucia would not for
a moment listen to it.
"No, no. let me die on the same couch
l cannot be parted from him now, even for
a moment. Well not survive each other
Before noon of the next day, both slept
the sleep that, in this world, knows no wax
ing. Casper died first. He had blessed his
wife before departing. Lucia with her fail
ing, trembling hand, had closed his eyes,
and then calmly composing her own limbs,
awaited the time of the Eternal.
Two eofins, side by side; two meek, pla-
cid browS met the eager eyes of many who
had assembled to behold the solemn scene.
How mournful that both should be taken
Could he have listened to the glad burst
of rejoicing with which, hand in hand, they
entered heaven, clothed in eternal youth, |
blessing the Almighty for reunion which
was to last forever and ever, he would have
said, allow sweet and beautiful that they
thus lie down and sleep together"
They are resting quietly, Casper and his
Lucia, in an ancient chureh-yard, beneath |
the sleeping boughs of waving willow tree.
But above them a snowy monument has been
erected, whereon their virtues arc embla-
zoned in golden letters-a tribute of love
and reverence paid by the inhabitants of the
town they had so long benefited; and go
to-day into the humblest cottage or the lOf-
tiest mansion there, and you will hear the
story of the good and virtuous couple, Cas-
per and Lucia Fontaine.