Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1869-04-22

VI uieih were tnOse OF CnlQren-
blossoms rlucked at their sweetest.
while somewhat of Heavens dew still
fingered upon them.
Although so few hours had passed
since the funeral OF Sir. Philip, all
traces Of that ceremony had already
been removed. The great flag over
the centre of the vault had been put
back into its place, and the haronet
had found last home on the slab ap-
pointed for him. A hushed and SOL
emn feeling crept over the hearts OF
the four visitors as they gazed around.
In the reverent presence of the dead.
all heads were uncov cred.
This, sir, is the coffin you want
to examine, said the sexton in dry
creaking tones, as though the hinges
Of his voice were in want of oiling.
This is Master Arthur's coffin
And with that his old arms encir-
cled child's coffin, and lifted it on
to the black marble table which stood
in the centre of the vault. As he
did so. a wreath of yellow everlnst-
ings slipped off it, and fell to the
ground.
The poor child was not quite for
gotten, said the vicar, as he picked
up the ath.-'By whom was this
token placed here, Jenkins?
BY Miss Frederica, sir. Every
eighteenth Of October that was the
day Master Arthur died she comes
and puts fresh wreath on his coffin.
She has never missed doing it in all
these years. You see. sir, she and
Master Arthur were plavtellows when
they were children together, and very
fond of one another. Lord | re-
member them both coming hand in
hand to church, as il it was only
t'other day. Master Arthur died
when Miss Freddy was away from
home and the first time she came here
after she got back, thought the pref
ty darling's heart would have broke.
However, she got over it in time but
every year since then, she has brought
a wreath like what YOU see, and put
it with her own hands on the coffin,
and said little PRAYER to herself. and
then gone quietl y away.
y gu have usually good memory
tor such things, said the vicar tell
me, do you remember the funeral OF
Master Arthur Spencelaugh:' 2
That | do, sir, sand the old man
eagerly. | rccollect it a. well As il
it had happened only Yesterday and
a shabby funeral it were, though It's
that says SO. Sir Philip was away
in India at that time, and Lady
Spencelaugh was too i'll to cJme; 50
there was just nobody to see the last
OF the poor lad bat that lame and ug-
~ DR.. Rreeie, and a couple OF under
taker, men. Mr. KoIie, he wa.
curatc here At that time, and i fast
reader he was surely and he soon
gabbled through the Service ; and thev
all seemed glad to hurry the poor lit
tie chap out OF ght.--Betore Sir
Philip came home, there was a pretty
white tablet to the memory OF Master
Arthur put up BY my Lady, just over
the family pew and many time has
Sir Philip come here by himself to
read what there is written on it about
MS boy ard sometimes he would say
1t was sd days work for me, Jen-
Ains, when my poor Arthur d ed. -
The Old man paused, more tcoul
ack OF breath than want of words.
1t might be nothing more than fancy,
out to every one there it seemed rs it
he light shed by the lantern was slow
y growing DINNER ID less able to
pierce the gloom OF the vault, which
seemed To hold within its chill pre-
'inct. the concentrated darknes, OF
many wears "a darkness that thicken-
Il the air, and was indefinitely more
intense than the blackness OF the
,lackest night in the churchyard with
Jut.
'Eh, sirs but it a poor light to
work bv, said Jenkius and 50 saving
le opened the door OF the lantern, and
ooh out the candle to snuff 1t but as
le did SO. sudden gust OF min nglcl
Wind andssnow burst through the
grating over the i on door, and ex-
the light, and sweeping
hrougn the vault, rushed out again
,y the way it had come and as it did
., 1t seemed 10 the excited fancy OF
more til n one there present as though
he silent people lying SO near them
urned over in Their resting P. sces. and
whispered uneasily among them
elves.
jenkins was the only one entirely
Inmoved bv this little accident. The
Id sexton was as much at home
mong dead people as though he were
his pipe in his own chimney
orner; and he probably ielt sor: Of
indy contempt for such Of them as
ested humbly in the churchyard, asa
lass of individuals who had weak
less TOR intruding their bones on TIE
Iotice of survivors. He now pro-
,eeded deliberately to strike match
N the sole OF his boot, and to re-light
re candle, muttering something to
himself meanwhile about its being
,leasant seasonable weather.
Am | to begin, sir ? he said to
he vicar, when he had put the candle