Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-04-27

J id hand of death which had touched him;
and beneath those icy fingers the eyelids
close, the crimson current congeals, and the
bounding pulse forgets to move; and where
life few moments since was gliding Joy
fully, merrily on, bright glad and free, now
all is hushed; is still, and never more can
revel mid the active scenes tho heart so
loves; never more can brighten the life jour
ney for the dear ones, who all along have
been cheered by his smiles and blessed by
his presence. All 'in the midst Of life we
are in DEATH and how suddenly oft-times
the messenger makes his entree into our
} households, and how drear and dark he
leaves the desolated hearth stonel Who
: can picture, who can portray the anguish he
leaves9 What words can tell the deep,
deep grief which but just now has fallen
like a sable mantle over this pleasant fami-
ly circle, and covered it as with dark pail,
in moment shutting ont every sun ray,
closing every avenue Of JOY, and taking
r away their staff, their supporter, their all.
, How little they thought this morning, when
they gathered around the breakfast table,
and all were full of life and joy-none save
r Minnie looking aught but a candidate for
long life-that ere the sun went down
death would hold, locked in his cold en-
: brace, one of the happy group, and that
, one their noble, kind and loving sire
} Twas bitter emp from which they drank,
and were it not for the sustaining hand of
} Him who chastens not unwisely how could
t they have endured it?
t For some time after Mr.. Ashberton's first
: attack, the house was all confusion; each
: and every one forgetfu of self in their eff
r forts to restore the dying man, and Minnie
. among the number fitted hero and there,
: in and out; now beside her poor father
t chafng his hands and brow, and trying va
t rious means to call back life. Life, that he
7 might look upon them once more; that he
. might once more hear the loved voices; but
5 it was all in vain! He was gone: he had
S passed over the dark river of death ere she
: had entered the room. And now DR..
4 Mac coming in, sees at glance how futile
r are their efforts. Knowing that it is taking
2 from Minnie the feeble staff on which she
t leans, his first act was to lead her gently
c from the room, and tell she must not come
back until he called her; he would do all
d for her father, possible, but it would not do
# for her to stand beside him now. you
: must lie down. said he, and he returned to
c Mr.. Ashberton, but there was no need.
i He isgone Frank said he-'apoplexy-
1t can do nothing for him; came too late
II too late
e. 'Oh my God, DOCTOR is my father dead ?
y And the wall of sorrow which rang the
house was truly heart rending But the
e grim monster relented not, though well he
,, knew he was taking from off this altar Of
e affection one of its most sacred offerings
Twas hard to see him bear it away, but he
= left in its stead that one bright hope which
e alone comforts and heals the murmuring,
bleeding heart: 'We shall see him again
y In that house not made with hands he
5. waits to welcome them and there be sew,
a cred never more.
y Next morning Minnie woke, and her
it first thought was, this is the bridal morn
Twas bright, gloriously beautiful-one oI
G June's most lovely. Such a sky such &
warm, balmy air Such golden sunlight
n and the perfumed breath of the sweetest
a flowers, and the merry chippcrings of tiny
k songsters, all seeming so full of happiness
= that they must let out little, else they'C
1t die from excess, came flooding in and filling
e. the room with brightness and beauty, wher
y the blinds were thrown open, as iflike min
y istering angels they thought thus to keel
ID the gloom away which they knew woulC
a. come with 'Minnie's' second thought, 'lik,
ry some dark kind of prey, and well nigh crusl
le the poor frail sinking spirits AS Nell
n, comes to help her dress, she turns from th
n, open window, where she has been some me
IS, ments inhaling the fresh pure morning al
to from the cbaliced cup of sweet jasmine
lg and mignonettes, delicate blue-bells an,
Of blushing roses, each vieing with the othe
&C. to touch the pale cheek lightest, and leav
n its cheriest perfume gentlest upon those lips
he disease had robbed of their ruby tints. A
ed this moment comes the terrible waking;-
er instantly the sad reality takes the place c
on that pleasant morning reverie, and Minnie
les staggers forward, and would have faller
ad had not Nell caught her in her arms. Blu
nd this forgetfulness lasted only for a momen
he Then she tells Nell she would be dressed
a and must go into that room.
'Oh no, Miss Minnie The Dr.
NC never luluu luaI now, 'Nell. OreSS III
quick, and so the toilet being finished, sh,
on leaning upon 'Nell's' slender arm, wall
ST. slowly into the still, darkened chamber
where all cold and lifeless lay the love
form of her venerated father. Silently, lik
Id some bright spirit, the pale girl passc
nd through the long room, and silently withor
a tear, a sigh, or word, she stands ther
10, looking upon the white marble face, so love
for long, long time, and now, in sileDC
ne too, she bends low and kisses the clay col
lips, then sinking beside the coffied forl
lid upon her knees, 'Nelp thinks that her pra,
ers ascend silently up to Heaven for I'll
Ter loved and lost one who has gone BEFORE
- Several moments thus 60 by, till at lengt
Nell feels somewhat troubled. She scare
knows why, only they arc alone with Il
m dead; and 'Minne,' too, was so motioulei
at and still, she had half resolved to touch h
St shoulder, and ask her to come away, whe
zee the door opened and Frank came soft
,re into tho room. Seeing them there, b
on face expresses great astonishmeut, and |
es, asks hastily 'what made her let Mimi
m come here?
or 'oh, sir 1 could not prevent it. I trio