Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-09-28
An Yuterestins Storp.
A PORTRAIT FROM LIFE.
SETH wooDsuMs wIrEll

"
tie daughter Harriet, ten years of age.
running towards him with per utmost
speed. As she came up, he perceiv-
ed she was greatly agitated. tears were
running down her cheeks, and she
had scarcely breath enough left to
spsak.
% father she finally articulated,
mother is dreadful sick, she's on the
bed. and says she'll die before you get
there
Mr.. Woodsum was man Of sober
sound and calm nerves: but he had,
what sometimes happen in this cold
and Ioveless world Of ours, and n
tender attachment for his wife, which
made the message of the little girl
fall upon his heart like dagger. He
dropped his scythe, and ran with great
haste TO the house. Obediah, who
was at the other end OF the field, seeing
this unusual movement Of his father.
dropped his fork and ran with all his
might and the two entered the house,
Il difuOob Nv Vic oatttt tnits
Mr.. Woodsum hastened TO the bed
side and took his wife's hand. MY
dear Sally, said be, what's the mat
ter?'
Whats the matterP echoed Mrs.
Woodsum, with plaintive groan.-
4 should mt think you would need ask
what is the matter. Mr.. Woodsum,
Don't you see am dyingr
why, no, Sally. you don't look
as IL you was dying. What is the
matter? hcw do you feel?'
oh. shan't live till night said
Mrs. Woodsum with heavy sigh. i
am going fast.
Mr.. Woodsum without waiting to
make further inquiries. told 0bedi-
ah to run and jump on old Charley,
and ride over after DR.. Fairfield, and
get him 70 come over as quick as he
can come. Tell him am afraid your
mother Is dying. II the Doctors horse
is of in the pasture, ask him u take
our horse and come right away over,
while y ,u 90 and catch his
Obediah. with tears in bis eyes,
land his heart In his mouth, flew as
though he had wings added to his
feet. and in three minutes time was
mounted upon old Charley, and gallop-
ing with full speed towards DR.. Fair
fields
My DEAR said Mr.. Woodsum,
leaning his head upon the pillow, how
do you feel? What makes you think
you are dying?' And he tenderly
kissed her forehead as he spoke, and
pressed his hand 10 her bosom.
oh Seth.' for she generally called
him BY his Christian name, when un-
der the influence Of tender emotion;
'oh, Seth. l feel dreadfully. l have
pains darting through my head. and
most all over me; and | feel dizzy and
can't hardly see; and my heart beats
as though il would come through my
side: and. besides. feel as though !
was dying. am sure cant live till
might; and what will become Of my
poor children? And she sobbed heav-
lily and finally burst into a food Of
tears.
| Mr.. woodsum was affected. He
could not bring himself to believe that
his wife was In such immediate dan
ger Of dissolution as she seemed. He
thought she had no appearance Of n
dying person; but still her earnest and
positive declaration that she should
mot live throughout the day, sent a
thrill throush his veins. and sinking
to his heart that no language has pow
er to describe. Mr.. Woodsum was
ignorant Of medicine as child; he
therefore did not attempt to do any
thing to relieve his wife except to try
TO soothe her feelings by kind and en-
couraging words, ill the doctor arriv-
ed. The half hour which elapsed.
from the time 0bediah left ill the doc
tor arrived. seemed to Mr.. Woodsum
almost an age. He repeatedly went
. from the bedside 10 the door, to look
and see II the doctor was anywhere
near. and as often returned to hear hi.
wife groan ard say she was sinking
fast. and could not stand II many min
utes longer.
Atlcngth Doctor Fairfield rode up
to the door, on Mr.. Woodsum's old
. Charley. and with his saddle.bags II
his hand. hastened into the house.
A brief examination OF the patent con
vinced him that II was u case Of hypo
condria. and he soon spoke encourag.
70 ing words to her. and said though 81,
Vas considerably unwell. he did no
doubt she would be better in it'll,
whila.
oh: Doctor. how can you say so?
a said Mrs. woodsum; don't you ne,
that am dysngg | can't possibly liv,
. ill night. l am sinking very fast, doe
tor. and shall never see the SUI
rise again. My heart sometime
stops its beating. now, and my fee
and my arms and hands are GROWN!
cold. But | must see my poor chill
dren once more; and do let them com,
in and bid me farewell" Here sh,
was overwhelmed with sobs nm,
tears so as to prevent her saying more
The doctor having administered tn
drugs necessary in such cases mad
and provided was followed out by MI
Woodsum, oil anxiety TO learn the rea
danger Of the case. He was assure,
that IL was only an attack Of the hypo
condria, and that the good lady, woul
soon recover.
Again and again. however. is ou
friend Seth summoned from his plow
and the Doctor from his pills, to nd
minister consolation and relief in he
dying hour, and again does she rece
yer. t1 4
We give below the story of
DxArn's LAST ASSAULT.