The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-03-16
The Dance OF Death.


of young lady in Baltimore, which we
copy from the Sun, has something exceed
ingly affecting and startling in its circum.
stances. Returning homo from scene of
fes,ivity, she was stricken on the way. and
life left her on the public highway---at a
strangers door, and before medical aid could
be brought, or intelligence OF the attack
could be communicated 10 her waiting par.
ents. Truly, "in the midst of life we are
in DEATH" and warning voices from newly
opened graves give continual monitions of
mortality. We do not notice this affecting
incident in special manner for the pur-
pose of founding upon it an argument
against indulgence in the amusement in
which the victim had just been pafiicipat.
ing. Although it stood TO the former ii,
some respects in the relation of cause to
effect, yet it would be too broad a gener.
alization TO condemn the amusement on
account of the particular instance. Dis
ease of the heart, aggravated by unusua.
excitement, probably fatiguing exercise and
the sudden change from the light and
warmth of the ballroom, TO the cold and
darkness of the waring night, may suffi-
ciently account for the qnick catastrophe,
but if there be no other lesson taught by
the event, we can certainly deduce from it
one of moderation, which the young who
"chase the laughing hours with flying feet"
are SO apt 10 forget, especially those sub
ject to organic disease, who need at all
times to avoid sudden and powerful emo
tions. The last exclamation of the dying
girl shows that she felt that there was some-
thing incompatible between death and the
dance-tha: the two ought not 10 be brought
near together, and gives point 20 the sup.
plication of the Litany 10 be delivered from
''sudden DEATH"
"DIED RETURNING FROM A BALL.-Miss
Laura E. Slratton, second daughter of MIR
Robert Stratton, No. 32O North Entaw street,
near Hoffman, died suddenly one morning
lately, under the following distressing and
terrible circumstances. Miss Stratton, who
was most estimable young lady of l6
years, had attended the ball of the In6epen-
dent Grays, at the Maryland Institute, in
company with several companions. After
enjoying the occasion until between and
O'Clock, she left the scene with her com.
panions-to return TO her home. AT the cor
nef of Baltimore and Liberty streets, she
said she felt strange and unwell, but walk
ed on uEtill the corner of Howard and Mon
ument streets was reached, when her ILL
moss greatly increased. attended with a
gurgling 10 the throat, AN sense Of sutic-
cation. She was laid upon the steps Of a
dwelling, supported in the arms OF her lady
companion, while her male escort hasten
ed to the nearest physician's office. When
he returned with DR.. McSherry, it was
found that Miss Stratton was corpse in the
arms of her friend. Her only exclamation
was, "Lord, have mercy on me-" The
body was taken to the apothecary store OF
DR.. ]. K. B. Emory, southwest corner OF
Howard and Madison streets, and every
thing that could promote resuscitation, was
applied in vain. A messenger was de-
spatched 10 the dwelling of her parents in
advance of the body, and the announce
ment of her sudden decease fell like lhun.
derbolt on the hearts of the household, who
were now momentarily expecting her re.
turn from the happy scene she had helped
to grace and enliven. 1t is supposed hel
death was caused by disease of the heart
to which she was thought 10 be subject.