Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-07-07
4 Thrilling scene.

One Of my fathers brothers, says Mrs.
Chjld. residing IN Boston al the time
when the yellow fever prevailed 10 such
A lnghuuI extent, became 4 victim 10 the
pcsu,cnce. When the first symptoms
appeared. the wife sent the children into
the country, and she remained TO tend up
on him. Her friends warned her against
such rashnesS. Tney told her il would
be death to her, anu no benefit To him.
These arguments made no impression up
on her allcclionate heart. She according
Iv STAYED and watched with unremitlIng
care. This, however, did not avail 10
save him-hc grew worse and worse, and
finally died.
Those. who went round with the death
carts had visited the chamber, and seen
that the end was near. They now came
to take the body. His wife refused 10
let il 90. She told me she never knew
how TO account for it, but though he was
perfectly cold and rigid, and TO every ap-
pearance quite dead, there was power
luI impression on her mind that lIIo was
not extinct. The men were oberbornc
by the strength of her conviction, though
thcir own reason was opposed TO IT.
The half hour again came round, and
again was heard the solemn words
Bring out your dead" The wife again
resisted their impouuniiies-but this time
the men were more rcsoIutc. They said
the duty assigned to them was 4 painful
one. but the health of the town required
punctua obedience TO the orders they re-
reivcd--lf they ever expected the pesti-
Icncc to abatc, it must be by proper re-
moval OF tie dead, and an immediate lu-
migaton of the infected apartments.
She pleaded and pleaded, and even
kncIt to them in an agony OF tears, con
uuualy sayiug-"I am sure he is not
dead" The men represented their utter
absurdty of such an idca-bui, finally
overcome by her tears, again departed.
With trembling haste she renewed her cl-
forts to restore him. She raised his head,
rolled his limbs in hot flannel, and placed
hot onions on his feet. The dreadful half
hour again came round, and found him as
cold and rigid as ever She renewed her
enrealics SO desperately, that the messcn-
gers began TO think lille gentle force
would be necessary. Yhey accordingly
attempted 10 remove the body against her
will, but she threw herself upon it, and
cIung to it with such frantic strength that
they could not easily loosen her grasp.
Impressed by the remarkable energy of
her will, they relaxed their efforts. 10
all their remonslrances she answered.
"lf you bury him, you shall bury mo
with him."
At last, by dint of reasoning on tho
case, they obtained from her promise,
that if he showed no signs Of life before
they again came round, she would make
no opposition TO the removal.
Having gained this respite, she hung
the watch upon the bed post, and renewed
her efforts with redoubIed zeal. She kept
kegs of warm water about him, forced
hot brandy between his teeth, brealhcd
into his noslriIs, and held hartshon TO his
nosc--but still the body lay mOlionless
and cold She looked anxiously at tue
watch, and in five minutes the promised
half hour would expire, and those dreadful
voices would be heard passing through
the street. llopeIes5ncss came over her
she dropped the head she had been sus-
iaining--her hand rembled violently
and the harlshorn she had been holding
was spilled on the paIIid face. Accldcn-
IaIIy, the position Of the head had been
slightly tipped backwards, and the pow
crlul liquid flowed into his noslrils.
Instantly there was a short quick gasp
"a s'ruggIe--his eyes opencd--and when
tic death men came again they found him
sitting mp in bed. He is still alive, and
enjoying unusually good health.