The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-09-05

AL. III kSDA T. SCI Ii
mother were at his side in moment.
He was insensible,- but there was still
life. Assistance was obtained, and the
unconscious man was conveyed to his
bed The doctor pronounced his in
juries serious, and ! probably. fatal.
Tkere was severe confusion, Of the
spine: the lower limbs were paralyzed.
and, if he lived, he would be al Grip
pie for life; and there was also a. co n
cussIon Of the brain, which, in man
of his age, might prove fatal.
But after time consciousnessySre
turned, and his friends began to enter
tain hopes of his recovery. He was
verylweak,l aud suffered much pain /;
and as he lay silent, his eye wandered
from the face of~his daughter to that
of his wife, while an inefable tender
ness softened his usually serious and
almost stern features.esIn a few days
he was able to converse a little,
though he was evidently disinclined
to talk. The doctor was encouraged,
but still pronounced the case a very
critical one n -Lossis b9zol- ID t1ffpt
o.a Some one, m other or Cousin Patti
ence, spoke to the sick man about his
recovery, at which he closed his eyes.
and a tender smile played about his
mouth -tpA71a so ''''' go -
aa Alice sat by his side one afternoon,
while her. mother took a little rest.
For an hour or more he seemed to
sleep. Then. he, turned his eyes to-
ward Alice and said, in calm,u clear
tones :.a,,- .o4 bz If has ,sllIIq. 7ut b. e
my daughter, call thy mother and
brothers, and thy aunts, Catherine
and Patience"
So calm, SO strong was his tone, that
Alice went joyousfy to do his bidding.
They came, and Aunt Madeline 5
heart almost ceased its beating at the
undesirable change she preceiyed in
his face, I. She gave an easy chairto
tottering Cousin Patience; pressed
mothers hand, then sat quietly down
by the bed and took Uncle Joseph's
hand in hers. 81 tlg.ii ,ae.t oIto't p. ~
"a = Friends he began in the same
calm, clear tones, iit has been borne
in upon my mind, that my earthly
pilgrimageiis drawing to a close aud
as the alast moments, of mems lives are
sometimes clouded, and they are .un
able to express what they wish, Ihave
thought it best,to say a, few words to.
you now, while my mind is clear. %
- Knowing the uncertainty of hui
man life, [ made my. will some years
ago Z soon after the death of my
daughter gEunice, p, here his voice
trembled, little, sand [, have no
hesitation IN saying, that after few
personal .bequests, L have left the
-bulk9of my property to my beloved
wife Madeline, such confidence have
/ in her worth and integrity 1ig5
=" My sons, for you are mine. Id love,
be as / can only bid you,be, as good
as your father was, as considerate of
your mothers feelings. And to thee,
my daughter, what shall L say? /
see thee now as / first saw thy
mother. Be. like her in spirit as
thou art like her outwardly, and thou
shalt hear the blessed words: Well
done, good and faithful servant. 49,
And now, Madeline, my wife, my
beloved wife-nay, weep not, my dar-
ling" for Aunt Madeiine's tears were
dropping fast upon the hand she
often pressed to her lips; " weep not
for me. Would Heaven these were
the only tears | had ever caused thee
to shed But Madeline, my wife, my
wife, | have loved thee longer than
thou hast known. Even while thou
vert the wife of another, my heart so
went out to thee that I had struggle
to still its wild beatings; and for six
long years | left thee lone y widow.
And yet. though loved thee so fond.
ly, [ have caused thee pain. Nay,
for she had fondlyI kissed
his hand, and was about to speaks
. death clears away the mistss of time, 1
and the eye about to look upon the
solemn truths of the other world sees
more clearly the derrors of this; for,
by the fingers of the Lord |
Jesus, the scales drop off, and where
as 1 was blind, Irnow SEE i1.le -
Bear witness, friends, that with |
my dying words declare that Made
line Moore is the best and truest wife /
ever man had - - - IL
Madeline, 7 beg forgiveness. I |
have made thee bear -cross.-Let
me. in implying hour, sremeve it, as /
much as possible. Take from the
thee will find in the black
pocket-book, 10 the upper left hand |
corner of my desk, enough to sfu, nish
4 stone for the graves of thy children, \
.hine and mine-for the graves of any
IF thy dear ones. ID sasslso ~ 5Hs. Al
+" [ sayit IN your presence, friends, i
20 you may bear testimony, that, after I
my DEATH as [ do, that during my
ites=tifis fasthful=wife never=er6ssed
ny wishes .5T0t9 sTtHoJ . 9o50E
: aAad a sometimes, my Madeline,
Ehenfhy tears fall on the graves of I