New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-08-31
wid owe1 aumson
BY nAxaAREr VERNE.

It was oil BY accident shat went to look upon
me corpse Of me deceased ars Gumson. II there d
one practice on earth which dstese more than an
other u Is the very common 0ne-common at least
In small neighborhooda-0f strangers running 70 go
how such and such person looks after death,
profaning BY an idle curiosity the awful anblimity
which always marks the presence Of the King Of
It 10 not that fear or dislike to look upon death,
as many do. There is never anything il the sin,
cold face the rigid lips the straightly combed hairi
the sunken eyes, shut in the white hush Of eterna
slnmber, that gves me single thrill Of terror and
dread. But it seems to me that the poor, empty
house Of clay should be sacred to the few near deaf
friends who loved and were beloved by the departed
spirit which once slept therein that for the two o.
three days that the grave waits for it, burden no I'M
licensed foot should cross the threshold where love
holds It's solemn vigil by the side Of death.
Az said before, it was gil by accident that went
to book upon the corpse Of Mrs. Gumson. What the
accident was is not necessary to state but true Il
ID that when entered the CHAMBER where lay the
dead woman, shrouded and coffined, 1 felt like one
intrudng upon holy ground, and instnctively turned
about to retrace my steps homewards. But had
friends with me- and their presence counteracted the
impulse.
The bereaved husband stood at the head of the
coffin, his snowy handkerchief pressed to his face
Poor, lonely man, said, inwardly, the future has
but little sunshine for him. Heaven pity and
strengthen his bleeding heart.
Our entrance III the room broke the spell OF grief
in which he seemed plunged. He took the handker.
chief from bis eyes, and glanced towards US. There
was something 10 the elongated, woe.begone express
siOns Of his cOuntenance which struck me SIS having
been got up for the occasion, but was ashamed Of
the ungenerous thought the next instant and though
saw no traces of weeping In the lack.lustre eyes
which he bent upon our faces, chartabIy concluded
bis anguish was too deep to find vent in the narrow
channel Of tears.
"Walk round this way, ladlesl You will get q
much better view Of the face than from the side
where You now standn
. looked up in surprise. His tones were rather like
those OF an amateur Snowman than an agonized hus-
band, standing by the remains OF one who had been
for many years the darling Of his life.
I've had some difficulty in getting the body into
proper position IN the coffin the wreath Of flowers
on her head is not half in sight. Is it mot lovely
countenance ~
The white handkerchief found its way to the lack.
uster eyes again.
It was indeed lovely countenance, as be had said.
slight trace OF color still fingered on the wilderness
of the marble cheeks as If DEATH in planting his lilies
there, had quite forgotten to uproot the roses. A
garland OF evergreen intermixed with clusters of
snow-drop, like sprays of pearls, just shaded the
waxen forehead, and dropped away among glossy
folds of soft brown hair. a smile lay around the
stony, cose-shut mouth! Dear Heaven l have not
wondered since that the departed soul paused in its
flight long enough to write out unmstakeabe lines Of
thanksgiving on the still, cold lips.
How lite like she looks" murmured one of my
friends, softly to me.
The ears Of sorrow must be sharp to hear. The
stricken mourner turned quickly
Ies-yes-you may well say so, madam. I can
hardly realize that the seal of death lies those be-
loved features. And have the consolation Of know
ing that they will remain so for many years.
Ny companion looked up at him inquiringy.
Perhaps you had not noticed the style Of the
coffin. Allow me to call your attention to IL for
moment. 1t is metallic, you see-air-tght very
latest invention. You have heard Of Egyptian mum.
mics, presume?'
Ny friend nodded her head gravely, while in spite
Of the solemnity Of the place was forced to put my
handkerchief to my face to smother laugh. Evil
IDENTIFY the movement was looked upon by the speaker
as sign that Was much affected, for he lifted his
in sympathy.
"Wel, this is managed very much on the same
principle !" he continued, after short, pathetic
pause. 1t is impossible for body to decompose in
the usual manner in Of these metallic cofus. It
is blessed thought to me that these sweat features
will be preserved for years as they ore looking now
Cat the words speet and preserved thought Of stone
jars aud blackberry jam) "A blessed thought, in
deed-that the worms will never prey upon this dear
face"
There was another pause, and another application
Of the consoatory linen to the fearless eyes, Oh for
an onion and little cayenne pepper to have brought
tride Of moisture to those dry fountains of the
soul!
"That coffin cost me twenty dollars and fifty
CENTS and it Is the first one ever introduced into this
place. BY the way, ladies' have you noticed that
my miniature is in the gold brooch which fastens
her shroud on the bosom. gave it to her before we
were married thirteen years ago this very day. 1t
was her dying wish that 1t should be buried with her
What happiness it is and ever will be to me that
was with her In that solemn moment, when her pure
spirit winged its flight to brighter, hoer cline,
where partngs are unknown. She died in these
arms"
He stretched cut his long arms in theatrical mo-
ton as he spoke.
MAY the dear Lord grant me different resting
place when die" whispered, involuntarily, to my
friend
"Mr. Gumson looks at you as though be prayed
the reverse" she ventured, in reply.
With sickening feeling Of disgust turned to
leave the ROOM motioning my companions to follow
me. AS crossed the floor, the June wind came in
from an open window, and lifted my light gauzy
scarf from my shoulders
Allow me, Miss
The voice was Mr.. Gumson's. He sprang towards
me with smile and bow, and before had chance
to decline the untmely galantry my refractory arti
Gle Of apparel was restored to its proper position by
the skillful hands of the bereaved husband.
Heavens! could have struck him in the face, and
had not the fresh arrival Of visitors caused him to
dart back with surprising agility to bis old position
Of dumb agony beside his wife's collin, believe
should have done 80.
As it was, went from the house with burning
face and flashing eyes. For three weeks after could
not look at man without clepching my hands with
the instructive desire to pumme him.
Dear reader, this Is no fancy sketch The incidents
are as true as the gospel Deduct your own lesson
therefrom.
ga High Old Gall, In Court.''