Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-07-30

Men usually find it impossible to tell the
truth under such trying circumstances. ei'
Distressiug FiunIeto n Cruel Joke-Death
from Premature ParturitiOn Cnused by
Fright.
Practical Jokes are always disagreeable,
and seldom fail in producing an effect never
anticipated by the projectors. Among friends
they cause arrangements; among acquaint-
ances quarrels, and in either case are almost
the only things that can not be forgiven.
One of these villainous jests, attempted
few days ago, was singularly sad in its de-
nouement, and, as it will serve as warning
hereafter to oil who have q penohdnt in this
way, we have determined TO relate it, omit
ting the names Of the parties, for reasons that
are palpable. - ....,.I ..... .sl.
| gAbput year ago couple we're married,
, and Immediately 5wenttp reside at a comfort
| able mahsiohon Seventh-street. They seemed
contented with their new relationship and,
so far, at least, as could be judged from ap-
pearances, were altogether compatible, save
in this respect: the husband was always ready
with some trick by which he annoyed every
one with whom he came in contact, while
the wife was reserved and modest, and, al
| though often the victim of her husbands
ests, could never be induced to join him in
| their practice. - i r Il ...- rs
| A few evenings since he left home, promis-
| ing to return at eleven O'Clock, and while
| absent determined if possible to frighten his
| wife. The plan was Immediately arranged,
and all that was necessary for its complete
success was to fin1 his wife asleep upon his
| return. The Fates favored the project; for
he was detained longer than he had antici-
pated, and upon arriving at home found the
| dimly-brrning gas-light shining like, star
| from his bedroom window, and he knew that
his wife was pillowed upon the chaste, white
bosom of her couch, dreaming, perhaps, OF
him, who was about to destroy the empire
of that heart over which he reigned an auto
crat.
Very silently he entered the chamber, and,
throwing sheet around him that hid in its
| pallid folds his entire body, with the excep-
ton of his shining eyes and hirsute face, spoke
tolhis wife, In sepulchral voice, calling her
by name, and saying, 81 lam Death; you must
follow me" The sweet, calm slumber thus
rudely disturbed, proved the last of her life
She awoke, with start and saw the pale
and specter-like figure, in the dim light of hei
chamber, point with gaunt and bony finger
to the sky, while, with the other hand, i
caught her unwilling arm, and again, in the
same deep, unearthly tone, repeated, ~ an
Death; you must follow me-"
Although she started up, no sound escaped
from her lips save death-like rattle in hel
. ahbaster throat, and a rushing noise lik,
that which is heard when the lungs are sud
denly inflated with gasp for breath, or like
the voice ofasslgh that has entered, rather
than escaped from, the. heart. A shuddel
passed through her frame, which instantly
became cold and damp with dewy moisture
her eyes closed and she sank helpless upor
the pillow. s.ct.Ef rs. .r..I.
1 Alarmed at these symptoms the HUSBAND
threw back the sheet and began to make ar
effort to arouse his wife from the moribunC
stupor into which she had fallen. He dix
not succeed, however, and he called one o
the servants, who was sent Immediately Il
procure physician. In the mean time h,
occupied himself in alternately cursing hi
own foolishness and calling upon his wife
who seemed to have grown instantly deaf
and who, although he knew she lived, coulC
not be aroused. f
The physician soon made his appearance
and with his aid the sufferer was restored Il
consciousness. Her wandering faculties re
turned, but they brought pain she neve
had known. Tho "pleasing punishment" o
her love was about to be prematurely in
ficted upon her, and despite the efforts of tn
medical attendant, the dread consequences o
her fright could not be avoided. Parturitioi
took place in a few hours, and in ashort tim
after1ard both mother and babe lay side b.
side id the embrace of death. 4uiE
Nature does not destroy the calyx that thu
bud may be seen; and when rude fingers tea
aside the perianthian leaves, the flower car
not escape destruction. If it would live
itself must burst the cell in which the germ
began to throb, and one by one unfold IL
delicate petals to the smiles and sunshin
that awaitsits birth. So they who sleep mus
81 not be rudely reused, and neither mind no
body, when in repose, be shocked into exist
ence by any thunderbelt that jesting, semi
seeing Cyclops ever forge.
Il The husband who thus unwittingly de
stroyed his wife and babe does not seem
lives but, like meteor lost in the infinit
:. realms of space, wanders among his fellow
as if he knew them not. His eye is vacant
his lipswhite and strangely wrinkled, whil'
Judging from his face, one would supPos
that an hundred centuries had been com
pressed into single mon tn of his life. u
The fowerthat had just begunto bloom, an
the bud SO violently torn from its protectin
! perianth, sleep sweetly now beneath, the pity
ing stars; but they Have left a remniscenc
here which, we hope may prevent foreve
all others from a similar fate.
, MEETING OF THE FouRTH WARD BELL AN