Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-11-01

cOulQ DOT reaO, iOr my neaIt WOulu uot pe
controlled-it pould think in spite of me +;
spurn them as stoutly as 1 might, thoughts
,conld come; bitterest of all-thoughts of
Virginia. heard knock at the door;
half dreaming, l arose to open it, supposing
it TO be some Deighbor who had come.
Before / reached the latch it was thrown
open, and letter fell at my feet l tore
open the envelope, and therein was a lock
of black hair, and in her handwriting these
words: -7f
"Come to me Corrinne! Come quick,
before it is too late! Come, before in the
grave l shall forget you-that lock of hair
will soon be gray"
1t twined around my fingers carelessly-
pleadingly 1 thougbt-aud l could not
shake it of. - -1
1t was near midnight, but packed to-
gether few things Ishould need for my
journey, and threw my nerveless frame up
on the bed for few hours rest. But l
could not sleep. 1t seemed all those long
hours, till morning, that the black cold
curl was hanging to my finger.
At last morning. came, aud stepped
upon the cars and secured srat in front of
two gentlemen. 1 knew nothing Of their
conversation until l heard one of them
mention the name of my destination. l
sat still and silent, while they talked of a
powerful epidemic that spread terror and
desolation over chilled hearts; and hearth
stones where the few gathered to mourn
over their woe; where the many were hur-
ried to the silent grave; where the streets
were filled only with what served for
hearses. s. e.
0, blackness! darkness! my heart
stood still and then beat fast, till it seemed
it would burst-my brain reeled-had l
taken the fever? A fearful thought-but
| must live TO see her. So l rallied, and
with mighty effort strove 10 face the ter
rible reality with brave and strong heart.
1t was near midnight when we entered
the scourged city. Shrinking from the
gaze of the wondering passengers, l re-
quested gentlemen to secure for me a
private CONVEYANCE to take to the house of
my friend. Upon hearing her name, he
started and gazed inquiringly into my face.
An expression of pain passed over her fine
manly features, as be replied:
IL am her brother-if you like, we will
60 together" .r
l had felt SO desolate and alone, that it
seemed pleasant to find friend, and ac-
cepted the proposition gladly. Little con-
versation passed between US, and we soon
arrived at the house.
Lights were moving TO and fro; but an
awful stiffness brooded over the place
My companion opened the door and we
passed through the hall; here be turned to
me and said: a
perhaps you would like to rest awhile
before seeing her,"
l shook my head and gasped-
Il must see her now! cannot sleep l,
cannot rest until have seen her."
He looked wonderingly at me, and pas
sed several rooms at every door my heart
beat faster with terrible excitement.
At last he opened tile one and we entered.
| knew there were bu! few there but on
ly could see white couch in corner of the
room. knew some one removed my bon
net and shawl, and then looked long and
eagerly at the form before me.
Her head was thrown back, and her long,
unbound hair hung in heavy locks over her
white breast. In one hand was clasped
tightly bible, bound in blue and gold
the bible that l had given her long years
ago. 1 went nearer, and laid my hand on
her forenead. 1t was ice, let! Merciful
Father! She was dead! ~
| l did not faint nor cry. l dropped on
my knees and laid my face close to hers.
remember they tried to have me get up,
and some one smoolhed my hair and a
voice whispered tenderly in my ear; but l
clasped my arms around her neck and beg
ged them to leave me,-leave me alone-
and they did so. Ishould have filled with
a vague chilling fear at being left with any
other dead form; but after the first fearful
thought rushed by, it seemed blessed that
the grave had not yet hid her face from
me; and 1 clasped Ler hands within my
own, and pressed my feverish lips 10 hers,
long and lovingly-just as used to then
just as l used to in the sweet "long ago; >
and looking batk dreamed. l know moi
how long it was before they came to me.
1 awakened, and then came TO me SC
strangely paIpable, the whole truth, ma
king me so heartsick! so desolate!
But the funeral came, with its pomp and
show-wilh its black plumes and solemn
pall-with the sod heaped up from the
cold sepulchre, with the slow breathed
words: "The dust shall return to its orig
inal dust, but the spirit shall return unto
God who gave it." Then the sickening
sound of the turf falling upon the cofn-lid
while stood praying unto God that tear:
might be given me, so that the fire of thi:
agony might be quenched.
But that hour passed into the unrecall
ed and must awaken to life's duties agair
} but not yet, not quite yet.
As was preparing to return to my
+ home, an old and faithful servant, that hat
watched over my friend from her infancy
, came to me with package in her hand
7 as tears rained down her wrinkled cheek
; she told me that the last earthly request o
t Virginia was, that she would not fail [,
9 give or send it tome. l did not open
t tken; wanted the quiet, secluded, littl'
room at home for further thoughts, so
, waited. .rr ..-s
. | The time seemed long for nv eape