The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-04
IN THE TO SAVE.

f.- L was blttlnB In an easy cnalr, my 1eeC
resting upon the window sill, and reading
Bnlwer's novel, "What Will He Do With
It?" whilst Harlan lay stretched out upon
the sofa, fast asleep. fn= ,n.I,aG}
A chapter of unusual interest had just
been finished, and had paused to re-
feet upon the various circumstances re-
lated therein, when light knock upon
the door aroused me. Opening it, the
which had just been left for me below
stairs:
'.DBAR SIR: The circumstances at
tending the sudden and mysterious de-
mise Of your late friend, Edward Clay
= ton, have caused much speculation in the
medical circles Of the city, and under
stand that the body is to be taken from
Its tomb tonight, for the purpose of dis
section. I wonld advise you, as friend,
to attend promptly to this matter.
ga STUDENT"
My astonishment and indignation were
so great, that I could not move either
hand or foot. Calling Harlan, I gave
him the communication, and fell back
into my seat, with an aching brow and
dull pain at my heart Fain were we to
disbelieve the words of our unknown
friend, yet the signature seemed to give
them O. stsemblance of truth which we
could not resist.
The person mentioned in the note had
been my bosom friend for over two
years. Ned Clayton came to this city
from Australia, bearing letters of intro
duction from his friends to persons here,
and among them one to me. It so hap
pened that he delivered this one to me
Immediately upon his arrival From
this, learned of his character, peculi-
arities and pursuits. conceived strong
liking for him, and soon we had formed
q true and lasting friendship.
From him learned the history of his
life. He had been early left an orphan,
without money or friends, in the great
city of London. To earn livelihood,
he became an Office boy in the Temple
Bar of that city, where he supported
himself comfortably, gained q considera-
BILE knowledge of the law, and ultimately
became young practitioner of talent and
note. Thinking that Australia was
good field for an adventurer to make
fortune, he went thither. He was not
deceived; for the tickle goddess SO favor
ed him, that in few years he was quite
wealthy, and able to retire from active
life. It was for this that he came to
New Orleans, city famed throughout
the world for its gaieties, pleasures and
resources. He associated himself with
law firm here, but hardly ever gave his
attention to the business of the Office.
One day we saw nothing of Ned, and
wondered where he could be, as he had
not left the city; for this he seldom did,
and then only after having informed us
Of his intention. Having worked hard
ell day long. Harlan and 1 retired earlier
than usual, but not without many con-
lectures as to the whereabouts of Ned,
and the hope that he was safe. Conceive,
then, what must have been our dismay
and sorrow upon being summoned at
daylight TO the bedside of our friend,
now clasped in the icy arms of Death!
Yes. there he lay, his dark hair smoothed
back from the high forehead, his palid
cheeks moist with the damps of death,
and his dim, sightless eyes-last seen
when sparkling with mirth and gaiety-
now resting calmnly beneath their long
lashes. Oh! what q scene for loving
friends to gaze upon! How the heart
grows chill, the fount of tears dries up,
and the soul goes out in fervent, i'm
passioned prayer to the great II Am"
for mercy!
There was no clue to the mystery of
his death. Silently, as the stars at dawn
of day, had his spirit fed. Our senses
stunned and paralyzed by this sudden,
unexpected blow, we sat by his side and
watched through oil the day; and at the
hour Of twilight, sadly and silently fol-
lowed his remains to their resting place.
The little ormolu clock upon the man
tie was just striking 8 o'clock on. the
evening of the day after the funeral,
when I received that brief note given
above, and we had no time to lose, il we
desired to prevent the deed intended.
We procured two dark lanterns and o
box of matches, secured our pistols, and
started for the cemetery. The sexton
was away from home; so we had to send