Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-03-27
|YHI first AID LAST DIBIEl.
A TALE OF LIFE.


many old stories,s will Be rc-read with ereatin
tcres:.
Twelve friends, much about the same
age, and fixed, by their pursuits, their fam
ly connexion, and other local interests, as
permanent inhabitants of the metropolis,
agreed, one day..when they were drinking
their wine at the Star and Garter, at Rich
mond, to institute an annual dinner among
under the following regula-
tions: That they should dine alternately
at each others houses, on the FIRST and last
days Of the year; that the first bottle Of
wine uncorked at the first dinner should
be recorked and put away, to be drank by
him who should be the last of their num-
ber; that they should never admit new
that when ono died, eleven sho'd
meet, and so on; and that when only one
remained, he should, on these days, dine
by himself, and sit the usual hours at his
solitary table; but the first time he dined
thus alone, lest it should be the only one,
he should then uncork the first bottle, and
in the first glass, drink TO the memory Of
all who were gone.
There was something original and whim-
sical in the idea, and it was eagerly en-
braced- They were all in the prime Of
life, closely attached by reciprocal friend
ship, fond Of social enjoyment, and look
ed forward to their future meetings with
unalloyed anticipations of pleasure. The
only thought indeed, that could have
darkened those anticipations, was one not
likely to intrude at that moment-tbat Of
the hapless wight who was destined to un-
cork the first bottle at his lonely re-
past.
1t was high summer when tho frolic
compact was entered into and as their
pleasure yacht skinned along the dark Boz
som Of tho Thames, on their return to
London, they talked Of nothing but their
first and last fcasts Of ensuing years. Tho
ran ont with thousand gay
predictions OF festive merriment. They
wantoncd in conjecture as to what changes
time would create.
"As for you, George, said ono Of the
twelve, addressing his brothcr-in-law, az
expect I shall see you as dry, witherod,
and shrunken as an old eel skin, you moro
outside OF manlr
Ho accompanied his words with hear
ty slap on tho shoulder.
George Fortesquo was leaning carelcss.
ly over the side Of tho yacht, laughing the
loudest Of any at tho conversation which
had been carried on. The sudden manu-
al saluiatlon throw him of his balance,
and Ia moment ho was overheard. They
hoard tho heavy splash Of hts fall, before
they could DO said to have seen him fall.
She yateh was proceeding swiftly along,
but II was instantly stopped.
Tho utmost Consideration now prevail
od. Itwas nearly dark, but Fortesque was
known to DO an excellent swimmer, and 4.
startling as tho accident was. they felt cer-
tain ho would regain tho vessel. Thoy
could not SOC him. They listened. They
heard tho sounds Of his hands and feet.
An answer was returned, but In faint,gur-
Cling voice, and tho exclamation "oh
God" struck upon their ears. In an In
slant two or thrco who were expert swim.
msrs plunged into the river and swan to-
ward thcspot whence the exclamation had
proceeded. Ono Of them was within arm's
length OF Fortesquo no saw him before
he could DO reached. he went down, and
his distracted friend bcheld tho eddying
circles OF tho wave just over where he had
sunk. Ho dIved ::after him, and touched
tho bottom but tho tide must have drift
ed tho body onward, for II could not bo
found.
They proceed to ono Of the nearest sta
tions where drags woro kcpt, and having
procured all tho necessary apparatus,
they proceeded at once to tho fatal
spot After tho lapse Of about IN hour,
they succeeded in raising tho lifcless body
Of their lost friend. All tho usual romo-
dies were employed for restoring suspen-
ded animation, but IN vain; they now'pur-
sued tho remainder Of their course 10
London In mournful silence, with the
corpse Of him who had commenced the
day Of pleasure with them In.tho fullnoss
Of health, Of spirits. and of lilol And
in..thclr severe grief they could not but 70.
fleet how soon ono Of tho Joyous twelve
had slipped out Of their little festive cir.
clio!
Tho months rolled or. and cold Dcccm-
Der came, with oil is cheering round oI
kindly greetings aud choery hosptaliiIes
and with Il came the soltoned recollcctlons
Of tho fate OF poor rortcsquo eleven ol
the twelve assembled on 80 last day ol
the year, and twas impossible not to fee
their loss as they sat down . dinner. The
very irregularity Of the Able--hye on one
side and six on the other--forced tho mol
ancholy event upon their memory.
A dccorous sigh or two, low, becoming
ejaculation, an instructive observation OF
tho uncertainty Of life, made up the sun
OF posthumous offering to the names o.
.oor George Fortesque," rs they proceed
cd to discharge the moro important duties
for which they had met. BY tho time tn,
third glass Of champaign had gouo around
in addition potatioons Of fine old .hock
and capital Madeira" they had ceased tc
discover anything 50 very pathetic In tn
inequality OF the two sides of tho table. o
SO melancholy in their crippled number o
eleven. at
Several years had elapsed, and our elcy