Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-02-13

noStrliS and beard-that was all.
Meanwhile the old man sat there on th,
beds edge, clasping one of those colorles
hands in his own. He kissed the almost life
less forehead, he bent over that dying mar
with the anxiety which none but father
could feel at such moment.
ssAbner, Abner,'' he whispered, edo YOU
can you hear me If you can, for God:
sake give me some signal ?''
The eyes, gradually assuming dull, dreamy
look, closed wearily, and opened again very
slowly. low wall burst from the wife. The
old clergyman turned upon her quickly, and
said, with bitter imperiousness
s.Be still, must speak with himr' Then
bending again over the bed:
'sAbner, have you thought of DEATH Shall
we pray-have you made peace with God ?''
There appeared to be sort of convulsive
effort on the sick mans part to attain sitting
posture. For moment he seemed possessed
of perfect consciousness and perfect strength.
e'God!' he echoed hoarsly; esfather, how
dare you name Himl God! You, who made
me what am; you. who goaded me to sim,
and al. for money, money! Was it so precious
TO you that l must sell myself, body and soul,
marry for it !? Don't speak to me of God -
There is none-no God-no God 20
He sank back on his pillows exhausted
Blood burst anew from his mouth He tried
to say more, but the words were drowned In
the warm tide that bubbled over his chest.
And she, the wife, stood there in marble calm
ness and heard that which was to blast the rest
OF her young life. Her hands were clasped
again, her eyes fixed unfinchingIy on the
floor. She neither moved nor spoke. Look
ing at her, you would have felt your very
heart melt with compassion, so wild, so for
lornly miserable was tho expression of that
sweet, girlish face.
stAbner, Abner, my son,'' was all the father
spoke with his blanched quiyering lips.
The momentary flush faded from the sick
ffies' 65Toocd from his mouth, and knew that in
q few moments all would be over. There was
no struggle, but there was that gathering shad-
dow on his forehead which is so terribly un-
ierstandable. Seeing this, the intense de-
spair on his wifc's face grew trifle more stat
aesque, and her hands locked themselves in
voluntarily tighter, till blood gushed from the
smooth palm that came in contact with the
Not word was spoken, not
sound broke the deep stiffness of the chamber,
but the indistinct and oppressive breathing OF
the dying man. thought it grew fainter and
slower, and l bent down to place my finger on
the wrist, and to listen more intently; but the
old man waved me fiercely, jealousy away. 2
ssTouch him not, - he said, s'for he is deadl''
And | thought, indeed, that it was so; for
even as he spoke, the faint respiration sudden
ly ceased, and the pallor of an everlasting un-
consciousness crept slowly over the still fea-
lures. But in another moment, l saw that life
was not yet extinct. The eyes again partly
unclosed in the same powerless, dreamy way
as before, and an indescribable radiance for an
instant lit up the pale, handsome face-hand-
some even then, but with an unearthly beauty
ssGod!'' the colorless lips muttered. ssGod
there is a God!'' and smile, whose utter
serenity l have never seen equalled, aickered
around the mouth. Then the shadow deepen
ed. fell, and he expired. 1t seemed as though
the soul had been half freed, and, returning,
gave evidence of that eternity which it but
partially had entered!
a woman's voice, sobbing, at last broke the
dreary silence. The old man rose, and ap-
preaching his dead sons wife, said feebly:
esther, be cemforted; God is over all ?'' :
She drew her hand from his clasp with ges-
ture of unequivocal adherence.
ssComfort ~ sheechoed, with great defiant
fash of her black eyes; sscomfort! you preach
to me of comfort Hypocrite!''- hissed
the word from between her closed breath, with
startling, indignant energy. ssIt is all clear
to me now. Who was it plotted and schemed
to bring us togethera Who tempted him into
marriage where there was no love on his side
none, none, o my God-but for money!
Answer me that!"
Her dark hair had become disentangled of
fastening, and now fell, in wild, confused
grace, over her bare shoulders. Her white;
upraised arms glittered in the bright light OF
the lamps, the scarlet ornaments floating from
the sleeves, falling over them in vivid con-
trast Never shall 1 forget the impression
created by that indignant appeal, and the ira
gic, excited beauty of this injured woman
All this was many years ago, yet never recall
that Sabbath night without shudder. Ere
quent as are terrible or touching scenes in the
lite OF physician, remember none that own
power so to unman me as the memory OF this.
And the sequel was no less sad. Within a
year another grave was made for the poor, de-
ceived wife. On the death of her husband,
she sank into a stupor from which nothing
could arouse her, and which terminated at last
in rapid consumption. 1t is strange that
should recollect the day she died. 1t is aS