The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-06-16

ueCndllict(lly, ruiScu NY piSlol-l uiil
sure / took no aim-but my hand was
firm / fired, and the next moment be-
held Edward spring from the ground,
culver, and fall. The ball had entered
his side. I went up to him. He had
just time to falter out:
al am dying; have brought this
on myself. Charles-my dear Charles
make your escape
"He gasped, and died. / stood over
him till was urged off. saw his body
conveyed to the next inn, when the
seconds thought me riding off with
speed. / secreted myself to give one
last look at the remains of my friend.
But self-preservation impelled me, and
l went away. / travelled through the
country; / visited every place of note I;
l have been in every metropolis in the
United States; / have been in the best
and gayest society; have entered into
scenes of high dissipation; have made
one of every festive celebration of any
importance but Isnever can forget my
friends last look; the impression will
never wear off; in the festal hour, the
figure of Edward G. bleeding, with
his countenance of agony, will rise be-
fore me. hear his last words; behold
him stiffening in death. He is with me
when alone; he is with me in my
dreams; / fly to company and amuse-
ment, but he is with me there; he fol-
lows me with equal step; l cannot fly
from myself, and his image is part of
my ing-no-nO-nO-In never shall
forget him."
He stopped and leaned his head on
the table.
"Now," said he, "nOw can you Won
der at my departments"
was too much affected to reply. He
continued:
81 lead a wretched, wandering, un.
settled life. | have no spirits to enjoy
anything. / feel an unwillingness to
engage in any active employment; and
l take morbid satisfaction in resigning
myself with perfect inertness to the va
garies of my own gloomy fancy. My
mind cannot exert itself, even upon
those subjects of which it was most fond
and with which it has been most famil-
lar. I am in Ia mental lethargy. My
mind has lost its grasp. l read without
pleasure, think without improvement
My nerves are unstrung, and | some
times think my memory fails-On al
subjects but One-Onc, stamped with in
delible, with burning characters on my
heart and brain. L ought to return
home, to my parents, to my profession.
But as yet | cannot"
He ceased. l sat few minutes;
could not conceal my agitation. was
grieved to see him thus, but knew thai
the voice of consolation or any colo
reasoning would only prove offensive tt
him in his present state of mind. Itook
out my watch; it was near ten. Iplead
ed that had some papers to attend tC
before went to bed, and rose to depart
He took my hand.
FAREWELL" said he, :" if can, Twill
make up my mind to return home in
the next packet"
whispered something of the sooth.
ing influence of time, and the sOlacc OF
home, sweet home, and friends most
dear to the wounded heart. He sighed
and wrung my hand.
Farewell" said he, "come and see
me often. Do not wait for the ceremO.
ny of return of visits. Between you
and me that ceremony may now, !
think, be well spared"
babe him goodnight, and departed.
/ saw him but twice aftcrward. He en-
gagged n passage to the East Indies, and
from thence he was to return to his ma
tive land. BY this time l hope he is
with his family, and happier than he
was when l took leave of him on board
the textiles, bound for Canton.