Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-08-03
Mistellaneo Us.
The Dead Letter.
CHAPTER, V.

hcn came out OF the Otllce. | en-
countered James on the steps. for the first
time that day. could not stop to make.
known the robbery to him. and telling him
that his uncle wished to see him Il few min
utes, hurried to nv boarding house,
where | had barely time to take some lunch
in my room. while packing small bag TO
be sent to the cars, before lurryns back to
Mr.. Argyl's to attend the funeral escort
to the train. James and were two OF
the eight pail bearers, yet neither of lis
could summon forti,udc to enter the parlor
where the b idy lay; ! believed that James
had not yet looked upon the corpse. We
stood outside, on the steps of the piazza.
only taking our share of the burden after
the coffin WAS brought out into the yard
" hic We stuod there. among many others
waiting, ! Glanced to observe his palencSs
and restessncss; he tore his black gloves
i'll putting them on; | saw his fingers
troubling. As for me, my whole lcng
seemed To pause, ~ a single. prolonged
shrek run@ out of the darkcned mansion
and Heated of on the sunshine III to the
ca: Of God. They were taking the lover
away frem his bride. The next moment
the coffin appeared; took my place by
It's side, and we moved away toward the
depot, passing over the very spot where
the corpse was found. James was a step
III advance OF me, and as we came to the
place, some strong inward rccoil made him
pause, then step aside and walk around the
i'll starred spot l noticed it, not only tor
the momemtary confusion into which it
threw the line, but hccauSc ! had never
supposed him susceptible to superstllious
or imaginative influences.
\ private ear had been arranged for us.
james and occupied one seat; the swift
motion of the train was opposed to the idea
of death it had an eNhilarating effect up
on my companion, whose palcncsS passed
away. and who began to experience IA re-
action after his depression OF feeling. lie
talked to me necessarily upon trifling sub
lccts which do not now recall, and IN that
low. Yet sharp voice which is most easily
distinguished through the clattcr of a NOV
ing train. The necessity for attending to
him-ior making answers to irrelevant
questions. when my mind was prcoccupied,
ANNOYED me. My thoughts ocntrred about
the coffin, and its inmate, taking his last
ride under circumstances so different from
s'''' "'.">' +" "'' ''' ''' ".'' "''. w. ""'
'S". W ''ie,' h'' "h"'', nus near' aa"'e" :
mnose h'''u ''e never c''SPcu-" "noSe iips
he never to"e'l'"m'hc i,"''l"', vi whose
ups M1s wa eu' o'l u'.e'l nose la'e'
hel,ee'of'n' ""s among the mysterious
paths oi the great eternity.
;, ! cou'o NOT 'or III, INSTANT ieci tile least
hsntiless '. ol heart. ~! nature was 10" syn,
pa'He,'e Tue currents "' III! young oiooa
iio"eu 100 Warmly, 'or me 10 leei o'iier-
M's' ''iu'' M "eepH "iiec.eu ny 'he ca'aslr"'
Pi'e' ny eyes sneu .hWafu tears at tie
s'sn, o. o' 'ae ne parents suing III advance oil
U.S. 'he'r he""s bowed pciiea'l tllc stroke ;
and on my heart sheu tears OF blood at
.hc ''i"us'1 VI E'eo''or' ic't pen'nG us 10
.hu 4, "l'e, uaihhess oi n'Snt "iileh haa
iai,eii Mh'Ie IL was yet morning,
MusilIs upon hGr' ! wondered mat ier
cousin James coulu 'lro" ol tae 'fouhleS
oil others as he ana; interesting himself III
passing tf'iies. nave sa'e t'at l never
iihea MN h'ueh out IN lhls l was all eS-
ceptioh 10 lhe general rule he was an
almost universal laVorite, Az least he
seldom ia'icd 10 please ana WIN those Tor
Mnohi WI, nc eAerteu h''iiSeli 'C DC aSreeanle'
Ills voice was solt ana We'll nloduiated-
soch voice as should one near IL from