The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-04-21

'"S WIG, Will All earnest, nope
tai glance, looked up in her husbands
lace. Her heart Was too full ior u.r.r.
ance; and 80, without word, she desccu.
ded unbidden into the seemingly yawning
cavern followed by her companion.
IL was some moments ere the visitors
could distinguish each oller n the dreary
abode, but when they did, what a strange
sight me, their gaze
The walls Of stone were green and
damp, and The flooring in many places
'r'm decay had given "ay, leaving uau.
g"rouS holes, in,o mhlol, should any one
stumble, he would be covered with the
SHINY water which oozed from tho earth.
or gathered 10y constant dripping from the
walls. On one side Of the room A huye
fireplace gaped and, as if in mockery Of
a'i cheerfnIness, hre-scarcely hand
fu Of wood and coal which had been
gathered from ash heaps and from the
stree's-attempted to obey the law of
combustion. Near to the chimney, upon
straw shaken on the bare floor, and COW
cred 10y an old cloak which had been
pressed into many winters service, lav a
woman apparently about thirty five years
OF age, In the last stage of CONSUMPTION.
a broken pitcher of common earthrnware.
stood near the head OF the patient-an
emblem of her condltion-from which
with feeble trembIe band, she would oc
sas'onaliy wet her parched, cracked lips,
after violent fit OF coughing. There
WAS nothing else in the place, and until
the entrance of George and his wife, she
WAS It's sole occupant. As they approach
ed, her cadaverous face, hollow cheeks
and great eyes, lustrous with that light
which precedes dissolution, sen, thrill
"t terror 10 their hearts and pra,er of
pity to their lips.
In moine0t the young wife, forre,fal
Of self, iorgelfuI of the costly robes which
warmed her delicate limbs, WAS at The
side OF the dying, aud ~ish a true woman's
instinct endeavored 10 relieve her suffer
'ngs. Hel husband watched with fuil
heart tbs exhibition Of sympathy. 1t was
10 hlm a lesson which added strength 10
the great love he cherished for his com
panlon, which to him Was mate than
wealth could beslow.
AS he took the thin hand Of the diving
woman in his, lie asked il the physiciau
had called on her rs directed
There WAS a faint reply in the af,ima.
tive.
DO you think you are strong enough
to he removed to the room have caused
TO be prepared Tor your
AT these words the eyes OF the grateful
wife filed with tears of surprise aud 10Y
at his thoughtfulness for one SO owy and
apparently so forsaken.
lhe woman attempted reply, but be-
lore she could command her voice vic
lent mt OF coughing ensumed and i, was
some IuInutes ere the hollow echoes died
away.
And now, a strange expression came
over the dying woman. Her hands
eutchcd concIusively those Of George and
his wife. AS she raised her>eif upon her
elbow. exhibiting 10 tie sy'npaihiziny
Spectators the almost nudeuess "f her
form, which WAS, indeed. but skin aud
o'e. Her voice had acquired unu>ual
$ rength, AID in hollow tones she addres.
sed the air.
Yes, yes; | vii! 60 w tn YOU TO the ball
Tonight, William. Mother SAYS | am
taxing my health too much, and that i.
will bilng on ne fit of sickness. Moth
ers always afraid for my health but. but
| am not! Father tells me TO cujov INV.
Se while can. Let the carriage call for
me at eleven O'clock, and viii be pre-
pared. Hal she exclaimed, AS her ewes
were suddenly directed to another point,
My CHILD! save my chill see, see, The
II 'mes viii reach lis room, and presently
II vii! be cut off. Oh horror she fran
ucaIly broke forth, ns she Suddenly rel,
easel the hands she held and placed her
own on her face. William, my William
my husband a murderer! Great God!
1t IS false. lie would not harm All in.
FAINT. What, hang him No, no! He i.
saved, saved! Yes, WrIIiam, dear Wi!
liam, and YOU my babe that WAS lost in
the devourlng flames. come, COM.
see, | am hasten--' And suddenly
raising she stretched forth her arms. and
with wild shriek-the last effnrt of ex.
p''ing hstuTs-She fell into Gecsge's arms
a corpse.
oh, George y cried the young wife, as
she clung ner, ,ously 10 his arm.
This Is 70 place for you. Mary Il
brought you here to sympslhise with the
liv'ng-not to succor the dead. Had I
known that such scene as this would
have been enacted. should not have
invited you TO visit this den, the existence
OF which came to my knowledge but an
hour ago. Come, darling. will INFORM
the people OF the poor creatures death
OF her happy release from misery aud
sickness-have her moved. removed to the
room rented for her-and then return
home with you. Her funeral expenses
will def.ay myself
IL was with the greatest effort on her
part that Mary could command her limbs
TO do her bidding. Fortunately for her
when she entered Broadway = carriage
was at once Procured,in which they return
ed to their happy home.
Once there, she flow to embrace her