The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1868-11-14
THE DEAD ALIVE.
A Tale of rhriIlIng Interest

. He turned away to make some prepa
E. alton for his horrid work, when heav
sigh, which seemed to bear on its breat
, the word "Mercy p recalled him to Ii
side OF Caroline he seized her wrist
feeble, fiuttering pulse vibrated thrilling
iy to his touch.
She opened her eyes, gazed aroun
her, saw the surgeon and all his accom-
panying horrors. She sprung from III
board, and threw herself at his feet he
own dlsarray affected her not, the fee
ings of this world she believed had pas.
ed forever; but in the most earnest az
cents she articulated:
81 know not whether I am in th
presence of God or a devil, but | am in
nocentli
"Innocentr' repeated Ebreson, in hi
sepulehral voice.
Yes, she continued, wringing he
hands, "in pity torture me notl or sa
that this dismal place j. - ,,nreatorv :,
aAkosut AkaA me ne sa ihai 1Eigbt Pnt a. sad e m
own life rather than be his, but of thu
crime for which l suffered he knows IN,
guiltless, and thou canst read in my sorl
that speak the truth. Oh thou look Il
just this will nst last eternaIIy. Spar
save me ! and l will worship thee
Such an appeal, in such circumstance
and under such a delusion, could not foi
a moment be rejected. Ebreson. in q
transport of gratitude, poured over that
| dear. bruised throat the vinegar, which
he had kept at hand as a disiufeetant
weeping forth, "Be calm, my child. and
fear me not-you are with a fellow -crea-
ture who believes you and will protect
you. This earth, and the life so mirac
ulously preserved, shall be endeared to
you"
Instantly screening her limbs from the
chill air, be led her to his own room. con
signed her to bed aud brought her food
and wine while his servant slept and
would have left her to rest, but that her
state still bordered on delirium. He sat
all night, like an elder brother. beside
her. But now, what was to be done ?
To announce her existence to the world,
cruelty as it had used her, and branded
as was her lowly name, might but pro
woke fresh persecution she had no pow
er to provoke the crimes of Gortz; her
new benefactor's bare assertion of her
innocence would not have impressed 9th
ers with like conviction for Ebreson
was, as yet, an obscure and needy man
The only course left her was to fly, call
herself something else, and in distant
part of the country live in retirement ;
but how could she gain living, while
unable to mix with her kind ? Ebreson
resolved never to abandon her he could
toll for them both. He would trust no
one with his secret. Caroline would no
longer be exclusively his, he thought, il
he shared the knowledge Of her life
with his dearest friend. He had one
brother in the place, Catholic curatel
Locking up his treasure, he stole og.
dawn, awakened this holy man,
EGsBSssa allat Rlat haia dmaRRaiyv ssfdIiRg
ty marriage forced him to change his IL
idence. The priest charged himself Will
forwarding all his goods. Ebreson then
hired a swift conveyance, babe Caroline
array herself in his attire, aud packed
up his books, instruments, and wardrobe
and started.
When the servant rose, the curate was
ready to account for everything. Ebre
son found IN his poor Caroline such intel
lect and virtue that he married her. The
good curate settled with them, and they
knew not what. become of Gortz, save
that he had left the theatre of his wick
edness. One night Frere Basil entered
their abode with face Of dismay.
Brother" he said, " l came from a
shocking sight, the death bed of an aged
man who has long resided here. He
will have no physician, though the peo.
pie about him think he cannot see an.
other sunrise yet poverty is not the
sole cause of his ecklessness He re.
fused the last sacrament, calling himself
unworthy of it; so | fastened to secure
your charitable aid
What is the unhappy patients name?'
asked the wife.
"Gortz, sister
"Now all gentle saints be praised r
she cried "no questions, brother ouI
neighbor, the notary, must ACCOMPANY
us Pray heaven we are not too late T
This party accordingly hurried to the
wretehed abode of the dying man. AS
they entered his chamber they heard
him rave:
"Talk not to me of sealed confessions
the whole world gaped on her degrade
ton and l have wandered for twenty
years, like the aecursed undying Israel
ties still no rest from that thought
can give you nothing, mercenaries. II
ye find any gold, bury it at the gallows'
foot, or lay it out in masses-but mol mol
no hopes of pardon, for thy murderer,
innocent Lima T.
Caroline drew aside his curtain. At
first he s.sred without recoo.-.. - w.
she called him by name, believing that
he beheld her spirit, he coweringly hid
his face but she, removing his hands
from his eyes, whispered: 'Peter Gortz
take courage. | bring you peace and
pardon. You are no murderer. The
queen of heaven enabled her true serv-
ant wondrously to save me from death
and you from despair. | am "a happy
wife and mother. Yonder is my husband
come to serve you if he car"
The moment Gortz was assured of her
life, he started up-retributivc justice
again-begged for one hour's-for but
one half hours breath.
Some potent restorative he cried
+" my poor girls fame must be cleared tC
all the world, and as much atonemen
made as wealth can do"
The draught was given, the notary wa:
ready. To him Peter deposed that, be
lieving Caroline herself entirely depend
ent and in his power, her rejection of hi;
suit and threats of departure had stune
him to vindictive madness She told hin
she had packed up, ready to set forth
with the first light, and insisted on ieav
ing the house TO seek a conveyance, tell
ing him that she had left her trunk open
he might search it if he would. for sh,