The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-01-24
UNDER THE SNOW.
PORTION THE SECOND CONCLUDED.

|
TO be better than usual; but before | had falel
asleep, heard him groan, and jumped VI
instantly without waiting for him to ask me Il
help him dressed myself, lighted the lamp
which stood ready, and asked him how he felt
q feel faint" he said, lit will be like th
other day; or, perhaps" He checked him
self
dear grandfather, will you take spoonful
of wine''
Ono. my child; only moisten my temples ant
rub my hands with vinegar, and, get the b
bic. Read me that passage, you know which
where have placed a slip OF paper
| obeyed when had finished, he interrupt
ed me, told me to come near, took my hand il
his, and uttered long prayer. He pronounced
the words slowly, and at considerable intervals
lie then made me recite some portions of Scrip
| ture which l knew by heart at times hecalled
30 mind, passages of the Bible and words of the
Saviour, which he repeated with a fervor and
resignation that melted me to tears.
will add one trifing circumstance, which,
however, affected me greatly. Blanchette sur.
prised, perhaps, at seeing a light burning al
such an unusual hour set up continual bleat>
ing.
" Poor Blanchette, said the dying man, a
must caress her once more Let her leese, my
boy, and lead her to my bedside
did as he desired and Blanchette, in her
familiar way, put her two forefeet on the edge
OF the bedstead, begging for some little tit bit
to be given to her. We had accustomed her TO
take from the hand, in this way, a grain or two
OF salt. thought should be doing what was
agreeable to my patient, if laid little salt in
ms hand. Blanchette took it instantly, and
licked his hand afterward.
Always be a good nurse give plenty OF
milk !" he said, pressing his arm round her neck
with an effort he then turued aside his lead.
led Blanchette away and fastened her to the
manger.
After that he scarcely uttered any connected
words only he made me understand that he
wished me to remain close to him, with my
hand in his. I felt slight pressure at inter
Walls, and, as his eyes spoke TO he at the same
time, L cemprehended that he WAS gathering
bis last strength to express his affection, and
that should be uppermost in his thoughts un-
Ill life should cease.
| said few affectionate words, at which his
looks frightened up, and l saw it would be =
pleasure to him if continued. therefore
leaned down towards him, ane said in rs firm
voice as l could command,
Adieu! adieu! Farewell till we meet in
Heaven l am res olved to obey your injunc
iiohs faithfully. l believe
in God, the Father believe in the compassion
and the merits of the Saviour. Do OF De aux
ious on my account. You have pared me
so well that now stand in need only Of God 8
assistance"
Here my poor grandfather squeezed my hand
more forcibiy, and making an unavaii;ne effort
to answer me, he could only express lie Joy by
long drawn sigh.
. will take care to remember, Il cohtIrued
all the advice you gave me fof the preserves
ton OF my life. For the love OF you, / will neg
lcct nothing that can prolong my exislrnce and
help me to escape from The chalet. Farewell,
Gear grandfatherm farewell, !"
| telt one more feeling pressure of the baud
il was the last for his hand, which had giadu.
ally grown colder, let mine drop. He expired
without effort, without convulsion, ala with
ont sigh.
My most terrible moments after that me were
not the first. 1t was when slowly came to
myself, and found myself alone in that sad hab-
itatiOn with-a dead body it was then that
felt an involuntary shudder lun through me es-
pecially when night came
In the morning, l had sufficient command
over myself to wind up the clock and to milk
Blanchette; the cold compelled me to make a
fire that gave me occupation but | afterward
same evening the wind rose with such violence
that l co uld hear the wailing of its mournful
gusts more plainly than had done for some
time past.
was sitting in the chimney corner; / was
watching by tie feeble giimmer of the
with my back turned towards the
bed little by little, felt shivering fit come
over me l was no longer master OF my own
ideas My mental troubles would have gone
on incr easing, and might have become of seri-
Gus consequence, if had not thought of mode
Of putting an end to it, which many people
might think would make it worse. | went up
to him, at first constrainedly, afterwards with
great resolution. l looked at it | dared TO
touch it. 1t was painful effort nevertheless,
/ persisted. ! repeated the actio:. several
times, and felt that the shock l had suffered
became by degrees more supportable.
From that time, did not cease, at short in
tervals, to return to the remains ofmy departed
friend. 1 fulfilled with respect to them the
same offices which persons accustomed to such
things perform more cooly. The expression Of
the countenance was so calm and pleasant, that
il caused me to shed leals.
No." l sobbed aloud. " am not afraid"
Nevertheless, my anguish returned when |
eli that sleep was stealing over me; Al my age
it is impossible to resist it, Was l 10 go and
lie down by the side of the body? Nj resolu-
ton did not carry me so tar as that, land l sought
l must confess, very wretched protection
from the superstitious fears which were resum-
ing their sway / vert and took refuge by the
tion which found in this poor animal. the slight
noise she made while chewing the cud, re-as-
surcd me i'll some degree.
AT last TEL into sound sleep.
The next day, as soon as l woke, l recon-
menced the struggle OF yesterday | employed
myself as much as possible about The goat and
other work, and above all, frequently went
near the body. l even held the dear and ven
cradle head for considerable lengta Of time in
my hands. The more | felt my fear diminish
the more felt my grief increase; and | was
pleased with myself on observing so reasonable
and natural a change. My thoughts then be-
came directed to the preparations for the burial,
and recalled to mind what my grandfather had
said | believe that it was with a ecret inten-
ton that he had sometimes spoken of the dan
ger of precipitate interments l resolved there.
fore to wait till nature compelled me to accom-
plish this last duty. The lively affection which
/ retained for my grandfather kept me from
yielding to cowardly wish to get rid of
painful spectacle at the very earliest moment
possible.
But took my tools, and opened the dairy
door,
"What Jack of all trades, u said to myself,
81 fret nurse and doctor, and now grave digger
What other bereaved relatives are spared the
sight of, l am obliged to execute with my own
hands! -
The first few strokes revolted me, and l was
obliged to stop short. 1t was not that my arm
refused to work, but my mind YVES troubled, land
prived me of my requisite energy. Every
lime struck the ground, loud echo rescundT
ed from the roof, which was vaulted with bricks,
like that Of cellar. l was obliged to accustom
myself to the sound, and it took me the whole
day to do an amount of work which ought not
to have occupied more than a couple of hours.
In face the ground was sandy and light, and at
last was able to throw it out with the shovel
without being obliged to break itup previously.
| took advantage of the circumstance to dig a
deep grave, for, said to myself, If the chalet
has to be left empty for any length of time,
whether l escape from it, or whether it is my
turn to die NEXT l ought TO use my utmost en-
beavers to preserve the body from ravenous
beasts. | therefore went on with my melan-
choly task,until was standing in grave deep
as was high. The clock struck ten; night
was come, and all its black thoughts with it,
| But the violent exercise which had taken soon
| enabled me to fall asleep. 1t was deferred g
few minutes by Blanchette's caresses; she