The Placer herald., 1866-10-20
FRANKLIN'S DEATU-BED

anu pniosopuef, oul lnere is aDunGant evil
dence that he lived and died Christian
During bis long residence in Philadelphia be
was a regular worshipper in Christ Church,
OF which the venerable Bishop White was
rector, and his letters to his family contain
many passages which afford satisfactory proof
that he was an humble and devout believer
But all doubt on Tie subject is removed
by tile simple and sublime manner in which
he yielded Up his spirit at the last, and the
affecting account of which we read many
years ago in Phiadel phia ewspaper, and
do not remember 10 have met with it any
where else.
We shall now produce it, assured that it
will be perused with an interest thai will. not
be lessened by the plain and homely style in
which 1t is written. The narrator had heard
that the Rev DR., Uelmouth, of the German
Reformed Church, Philadelphia, was in pos
session OF an anecdote Of Dr. Franklin and
ne wal'ed on him to learn it. DR.. H. said he
would relate it with great pleasure but as be
did not speak English very well, he referred
him to David Ritter, at the sign of the "Gold
den Lamb" il Front street, who will tell it
better. The gentleman Immediately called
"n !"'' ittlei, WHO SdIu.
ayes; | will tell you all | know Of It.
You must understand, then, sir, first of all, ,
that always bad prodgious option Of Dr.
Franklin as the usefullest man we have ever
had among us, by long way; and so, hearing
that he was sick, thought would 90 and
see him. As raped on the door, who
should como out but Cd Sarah HUMPHREYS
| was right 9 'ad to see her, for | had known
her for long time. She was of the peol le
called Friends; and good sort of body She
was, too. The great people set heap Of
store in her for she was famous throughout
he town for nursing and waiting on the sick.
Indeed, many Of them, | believe. thought
they could not sicken and die right il they
bad not old Sarah Iumphries with them
Soon as she saw me she said:
"Well, David, how dost thou2'
"Oh, much after the old sort, Sarah" SAYS
|, "but that's neither here nor there; am
come to see Dr. franklin"
swell, then" she said, ".hou art too late,
for he is just aeqd.'
"Alack-a -a-day.' said "lhen great man
is gone"
"Yes, indeed;' said she, "aod good one
too; for it seemed as if he thought the day
went wrong if he had not done somebody
service. However David" said she, "he is
not the worse off for all that now where be
has gone to; but come, as thee came to see
Benjamin Franklin, thee shall see him yet."
And SO she took ne into lis room. AS
we entered she pointed to him, where he lay
on bis bed, and said, "rhele, did thee ever
see anything 50 natural?'
And be lid look natural, indeed. His
eyes were closed; but that you did rot see
him breathe, you would have thought he was
in sweet sleep, he looked so calm and hap
py. Observing that bis face was fixed right
toward the chimney, | cast my eyes that
way, and, behold! just above tie mantel
piece was noble picture. 0, it was a noble
picture, sure enough! 1t was the picture Of
our Saviour on the cross.
l could not help calling: bless US all,
Sarah" said I, whats all this?"
"What dost thou mean, David" said she,
quite crusly.
"Why, how come this picture here, Sarab?'
said |; you know that many people think he
was not after this sort"
Yes said she, Il know that too. Bat
thee knows that many who make great fuss
about religion have very lit,Ie, while some who
say but little about it have great deal"
"That's sometimes the case, fear, Sarah"
said l.
"Well, and that was the case" said she,
"wilh Benjamin Franklin. Bu: be that as it
mag, David, since thee asks me about this
great picture, I'll tell thee how it came here.
Many weeks ago, rs bo lay, he becloned
ne to him, and told me of this picture up
stairs and begged would bring it to him
His face frightened up as he looked at itapd
be said: AYE, Sarah, there's picture Of Him
who came into the world to teach men to
love one another" Then after looking a it
wistfuly for some time he said, "Sarab, set
this picture up over the mantle piece, right
before me as | lie, for like to look at it,"
And when fixed it up he looked at it very
much; and, indeed, as thou saest, he died
with his eyes fixed on IT,"
LAUGHING AT THE FENIANs.-The Radi-