The Placer herald., 1868-04-18

Mr.. Colebrook was dead. He was rich
man, yet slight acquaintance with him
would have convinced even superficial OBJ
server that he was not a healthy man. He
was misanthropio in his views, though he
had TN reputation 10 the street Of being a
very ki6d-Aearted and benevolent man. Ev.
cry day seemed to usher him into the arena
of new strife with the powers OF misery
Apparently he WAS tired OF life, and impatient,
y waited for the hour that had now come
and which would put him beyond the trials
and woes of this subunary existence.
And yet many could remember when be
was gay and cheerful person Before his
marriage with poor but beautiful girl, some
seven years before his death, he bad worn a
sunny smile, and his life seemed to him a
pleasant dream.
Though only thirty FIVE when be married,
people said there was too much difference
between his own age and that of his wife,
who was, believe, abont twenty two. She
had been poor, and forced to content herself
with but few of the gayeties of life but now
she was rich and her husband gave her free
access to his Golfers.
Wealth tostered pride, and Mrs. Colebrook
become leader of fashion--the gayest OF
the gay. Her beauty and influential posi-
ton in society made her queen, and her
smile was cdurted by the brilliant and dis
solute. The house, when she was at home,
was always filled with gay gaIanls and
lordly ladies.
All the world could see this ; and the next
thing it saw was, that Mr.. Colebrook grew
sad and melancholy his wife was cold
to him, and there was little if any sympathy
between them The people said the poor
man had married badly, and the croakers all
"knew it would be So"
Mr. CoebroodS was dead. Whatever woes
bad weighed him down, be was beyond their
reach now. People said he had died of a
broken heart that the whrl of pleasure in
bis own house had been hell to him; and
that his gay wife had been the scorpion who
had stung him to death.
For my part, pay but little attention to
the busy tongl of gossip. l account all it
saws, whether good OF bad, as mere slander.
Whatever stories had heard concerning
Mrs. Coehrook k-apd had heard many
passed (" in at onA ear and out OF the other. '
"Mr. Morton 7" said a man at my door.
/ Fla. IS ny Damc."
"Mr. Colebrook is dead, and Mrs. Cole
brook wants you TO come up to the house
and lay him out"
"Mr. Coebrook exclaimed, for the
intelligence was very unexpected to me, as
to the whole city, when it was announced.
had heard that he was suffering from an
attack of bilious cbolic, but it bad not been
even rumoled that he was dangerously i'll.
Yes, he is dead" replied the man 4" Mrs.
Colebrook wishes you to make baste."
"He got very bad last night, and grew
worse ever since, till twenty minutes ago,
when he died"
Mr.. Colebrook's IS house was not five minutes
walk from home, and fastened there to
pesrforn the oflice for the dead. was shown
into the room where the corpse lay, just rs
death had done its work The sufferer ap,
parently in the greatest agony. The bed.
clothes still evuced the struggle between the
,yrant and bis victim.
had gone to m, house, laid him out and
nut 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 be showed me to aparlor in front
Of the room in which the corpse lay.
She appeared to be in the deepest distress,
and the family physician was still present,
using his best efforts to reduce her to state
of calmness. He succeeded, to some extent !;
and she spoke to me with tolerable self.pos'
session.
"You will make all the arrangements, Mr..
Mortou," said she.
~ will, madam"
"Ob, it was terrble!" groaned she.
"Be calm, Mrs. Coebrook," nterposed
DR.. Rowne.
81 cannot, Doctor, feel as though |
should become distracted"
"Nay, madam, control yourself" said the
Doctor, who was a young and very good
looking young man. lie took her hand and
uttered some sentimental remark, which |
have now forgotten.
Will you watch with him +" she almost
gasped looking eagerly at me.
Watch with him :" asked DR.. Rowne,
iu surprise.
"Yes."
1t is entirely unnecessary"
This corpse must have Watches" she adj
ded, more calmly than she had yet spoken.
"There is no need of that, but"
81 would not have him left alone for all
the world" she said, with kind of convul
sive shver.
"No possible harm could befall him.
But it seems so neglectful to desert the
body as soon as the spirit has fled"
1T is entirely matter Of choice" | added
=" Couldn't you watch with him, Mr.. Nor
ton !"
If you particularly desire it,"
81 do; l could not bear to have his re-
mains guarded by mere servant. You will
oblige me very much"
| consented to the arrangement, and
promised to return by nine o'clock in the
evening.
After ordering the coffin for the deceased,
for a. tnat time they were not Kept on hand