The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-07-13

eVen ruWOTeu tnht ne WAS dan gerOusly sick
" Yes, he is dead, replied the man " Mrs
Colebrook wishes you to make haste"
81 didn't know he was sick"
"Got very bad last night, and grew worse
ever since, till twenty minutes ago when hC
died.
Mrs. Colebrook's house was not five min.
utes walk from home, and hastened there
to perform tho Offices of the dead. was
shown into The room where the corpse Law
just as death had done its work. The suf-
ferer had apparently died in the greatest
agony. The bed clothes still evidenced the
struggle between the tyrant and his victim.
With the assistance Of the man servant
who had gone to my house, laid him out
and put the room in order.
was about to depart when the man SER
want called me back.
/" Mrs. Colebrook would like to see you,
he said, as he showed me to parlor ia front
of the room in which the corpse lay.
She appeared to be in the eepest distress,
and the family physician was still present,
using his best efforts to reduce her to a state
of calmness. He had succeeded to some ex-
tent, and she spoke to me with tolerable
self-posseslon.
You will make all the arrangements, N T.
Mortal" said she.
l will, madam"
oh 1t vas terrible p groaned she.
Be calm, Mrs. ColebroOk, interpossd DR..
Rowne.
81 cannot, Doctor I feel though should
become distracted"
Nay madam, control yourself" and the
Doctor, who was young and a very good look
ing man, took her hand and uttered some sem
timental remark, which l have now for
| cotton.
"Will you watch 2" she almost gasped,
looking eagerly at me.
"Watch him 2" asked Dr., Rowns, in sur
prise.
dyes"
4" 1t is entirely unnecessary"
The corpse must have Watchers" she
added more calmly than she had yet spoken.
" There is no need of them, but"
"I would not have him left alone for all
the world" said she, with kind of convul-
sive shiver.
"No possible harm could befalI him."
" But it seemed so neglectful to desert the
body as soon as the spirit has fed
"Itis entirely matter of choice" Iadded
"Could'nt you watch him, Mr. Mortal 2"
"IfyOu particularly desire it,"
&c do, could not bear to have his re-
mains guarded by mere servant. You viii
oblge me very much"
consented to the arrangement, and prom.
ised to return by nine o'clock in the evening
After ordering the coffin for the deceased
for at that time they were not kept on hand
to such an extent as they are nOw-and at
tending to my private affairs again repaired
to the COlebrook mansion.
It was customary at the time of which |
write for two persons to perform the SER
vice for which was engaged, though |
watching was then going rapidly out of fash
ion but, as my business was with the dead,
I was perfectly at home in the chamber Of
death, and was even better satisfied to be
alone than with company. had brought an
book from home, and Mrs. Cole
brook had provided q very interesting repast
for me in the dining room below, so that |
looked forward 10 very comfortable night
myself into the large rocking
chair, which had been placed there for my
use, was soon engaged in the entertaining
pages of my book. As often as the clock struck
arose and examined the corpse, moistening
he face with alcohol, and wiping away the
'urging at the mouth.
At eleven o'clock some one entered the
louSe and came up stairs. They were the
eet of a man, and heard him enter the par
or adjoining the room Of death. Though
seemed rather singular circumstance that
man should enter the house at that time Of I
light, thought nothing more Of 1t till ! c
card voices, engaged in earnest converSa-
lon. In a few minutes they grew londer and
lore distinct, and recognized th, voice Of !
'r. Rowne. Perhaps Mrs. rnlsorook was
ck and needed bis assiItancs. But be spoke Il
OF IN the tones Of his profession. The 9th
person spoke in Whisper bu. the doctor 0
,oke in bis natural voice, and seemed 10 be
nder no restraint
The house was as still as tomb, and o
Iough made no effort To hear what was
i'd, the expressions viii" thirty days." y
I'd others Of a similar character, came dis al
city to my ears. They aroused my eurioS-
7. Who was this Dr.. RoWns1 Why was i'
there at that unreasonable houri e
Well, II was none Of my business, and hal
dozen times determindsd not 10 concern v
yself about II. But It was In vain that
led to faSten my mind upon the book sgaln
had lost the power to interest me. glAne-
a. door which opened into the room
here the speakers then were. Il would be q
pan to listen, and would not do II. Il NJ
the month Of Nav and the ,veaiher raa | S