Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-02-29
mltscellamcous..
Seth voods.snl's wife.
BY JACK DOWNING.

.
opening the mown grass to the sun, Mr.
Woodsum looked up towards the house, an,
beheld his little daughter Harriet, ten year
est speed. As she came UP ne perceive,
taat she was greatly agitated; tears were run
ming down her cheeks, and she had scarcell
| breath eifough to speak
| .'Oh father, she family articulated, moth
er is dreadful sick; sizes on the bed, a1d sh'
shall die before you get there.
| Mr. Woodsum wasa man Of sober, soun(
| mind and calm nerves; but he had. wha
sometimes happens in this cold and loveles
world of ours, tender attachment for BIZ
wife, which MADE the message of the little
| girl fall on his heart Ike a dart. He drop
! ped his scythe, and ran with great haste tC
! the house. Obediah who was at the other
end of the field, seeing, the unusual move
ment of his father dropped his fork, and ran
with all his might. and the two entered the
house almost the same time. Mr.. Woo3sum
fastened to the bedside, aud took wife's hand
"My dear Sally said he what is the mater
with you?"
''What is the matter?, echoed Mrs Wood
sum, with plaintive groan. 81 shouldn't
think you ueed to ask what is .he matter.
Mr. Woodsum. Don't you see I'm dying"
"Why, no, Sally, you don't look as if-you
were dying. What is the matter? How do you
feel?"
Woodsunl, without waiting to make further
inquiries, told Obcdiah TO run and Jump on
the horse. and ride after DR.. Fairfield, and
get him to come over as quick as he can
come. Tell him am afraid your mother is
dying. If the doctors horse is away off in the
pasture, ask him to take our horse and come
right over, whilst sou 60 and catch his"
Obediah with tears in his eyes, aud his
heart in his mouth, few as though he had
wings added to his feet, and in three minutes
time he mounted upon sold Gray" and was
galioping with full speed towards Dr.. Fair
fields
my dear," said Mr.. Woodsum, leaning
his head upon the pillow, how do you feel?
what makes you think you are dying? Ana
he tenderly kissed her forehead -as be spoke,
aud pressed her hand to his bosom.
20 Samuel, for she generally called his
Christian name, when under the influence of
tender emotions; Il have pains dar:iug thro'
my head, and most all over ne; and feel
dizzy, and can't hardly see; and nay heart beats
as though it would come through my side =
And besides, felt as though [ was diving.
I'm sure can't live till night; and what will
become of my poor children? aud she sobed
heavily. and burst in flood of tears.
Mr.. Woodsum was affected He could not
bring himself to believe that his wife was in
such Immediate danger of dissolution as she
seemed to apprehend. He thought she had
no appearance OF q dying person; but still
her earnest aud positive declaration that she
should not live through the day, sent thrill
through his veins, aud sinking to his heart
that no language had power to describe Mr.
@~oocsum was as ignorant of medicine as a
cbiiG; ne therefore did not attempt to do anv
thing to relieve his wife, except to try and
soothe her feelings by kind and encouraging
words. till the doctor arrived. The half
hour which elapsed, from the time Obediah
left TIL the doctor came seemed to Mr. Wood
sum almost an age. He repeatedly went from
the bedside TO the door, to look and see if the
doctor was anywhere near, aud as often re-
turned to hear his wife groan, and say she
was sinking fast and could not stand II very
many minutes longer.
At length DIR. Fairfield rode up to the door
on Mr.. Woodsums "Oid GRAY" and with
saddle bags In hand. hastened into the house
brief examination of the patient convinced
that it was decided case of hypocondria, and
ne soon spoke encouraging words to her; al
not doubt she would be better in a little |
while.
"Oh Doctor, how can you say so?" said |
Mrs Woodsum, don't you see I'm DYING? |
can't possibly live till night; I'm: sinking /
Tery fast, Doctor. and shall never see the /
un rise again My heart sometimes almost
tops its beatlngnow. and my feet and hands are
growing cold. But must see my dear chill
lren once more; do let them come 10 and bid
ne farewell Here she was SO overwhelmed
With tears and sobs as to prevent her saying
nore
The doctor having administered the drugs
n such cases made and provided, is followed
ut by Mr. Wooasum, all anxiety to learn the
cal danger of the case. He is assured that
is on y an attack of hypochondria; and the
ood lady herself ere long recovers.
Again and again, however, is our friend
eth summoned from the plow, and the doc
DR. from pills, to administer consolation and
elief IN her dying hour, and again and again
oes she recover. We give below thes story
f Deaths Last Assault.
At last the sober, saddening days of autum
anne on Mr. Woodsum was in the midst of
is fall work, which had been several times
by these periodical turns of des-
ondency in his wife. One morning he went
his work early. for he had a heavy days
ork to do, and had engaged one of his neigh !
,rs to come with two yoke of foxen and plow
help him break up an old moving field. Z
is neighbor could only help him that day. I
I'd he was very anxious to pillow the whole
Id.
He accordingly had left the children and
9 nurse in the house. With strict charge to {
ke good care Of their mother. II