The weekly standard., 1869-10-20

Gas YOU know my wife, need not des-
cribe her to you, for it looks rather silly, l
must confess. She was highly accomplish
ed, and could sing and play most beautiful
ly. loved to hear her play on the piano,
and my looks of admiration did not escape
the proud beauty, who became jealous and
led the poor child sorry life OF it.
Il loved her Us sister, and tried to make
her life happy, but soon found it better
for peace and quietness to take no interest
in her. Her health was getting delicate,
and frequently look her with myself and
Bertha to drive. We had arranged TOR
drive in the park, when I'd return from bu-
siness one evening
Il drove up with the coach at the appoin-
ted time and found that Bertha and her
mother were out shopping, SO after waiting
a considerable time, took Emma. When
we returned home, Bertha couldnot conceal
her rage, but,Iated US soundly. Emma bore
it meekiy, and retired to her room, and
wisely followed her example. Our wedding
day was approaching, and Bertha and her
mother were busy in buying the trosseau,
and the poor slave. Emma, was kept equally
busy preparing it.
Il took suddenly i'll. An eminent doctor
was called in, and he could not say what
allied me. 1 knew that Twas subject to fits
when a child, and that at one time lay
three DAYS in trance 1t struck me that
was getting a similar attack. Bertha, when
| she came into the back room, cried and sob
bed, and her mother thinking it would over
power her insisted that she should see him
but once day. At night, when the lamp
mas dimly lighting and the old nurse nod
| ding. could feel gentle tread on the car
pet and the presence of some one near me-
| A cool little hand would be laid upon my
burning brow and parting kiss printed
upon my lips. As | generally spent the
night in kind of stupor, poor Emma
thought that did not feel her, but my
senses were wide awake.
| 81 was near two weeks sick, and one even.
ing felt more lcthargy than usual. The doc
tor was to see me and left some medicines
| with strict lnjunctions to watch me close fol
the night and give me the medicine.
"The family had retired and the nurse soor
fell asleep in the arm chair. tried to move
to call her, but how great was my horror
to find that could not stir. tried to or.
| out, l tried to move my hands or feet, bu
| oh I! the agony OF despair! l was as i'm
movable as block OF stone. Soon fel
the door gently open and the rustic of dres
near the bed A hand was laid quietly Oh
nv forehead, and then a scream of terro
and despair rang through the room.
"The nurse jumped up frightened ant
| cried out:
"Oh, Miss Emma, what is it ?"
| "Oh, my GodI" she exclaimed, "he i
dead" and l heard her as she fell on tn
floor.
1.-THE family were alarmed, and rushed t,
the room. Though my feelings were dread
full, was anxious to know how Bertha woult
bear the shock.
"They all surrounded the bed, and eacl
laid hand on my brow.
"Poor fellow !" said Mrs Townsend, "hov
sudden"
"Oh, DEAR" cried Bertha, "who woult
have thought it"
"The nurse and Mrs. Lockland were re
viving Emma, and when she recovered tool
her to herr room.
| Bertha, DEAR said her mother, ''yo,
are better; go to bed; this no place fo
you"
"Poor young man I" said Mr.. Townsend
wiping his eyes Il suppose had bette
telegraph to his friends in the morning."
Certainly" said his amiable spouse
show very shocking to have q corpse in tn
house. declare l cannot close an eye 70
the night"
Mother" said Bertha, I'll be afraid t,
sleep in my room. I'll go to yours and le
father take minen
Certainly" my child, don't fret yourself
If you CHANGED to be married you'd have hi
property; but now suppose you'll come il
for nothing"
"He might have will, madam. Let u
seen
And they actually took the keys out O
my pocket and searched my trunk and desk
Though they got no will, they took m
watch and sume jewelry and money, Mrs
Townsend, remarking:
This is little enough for the trouble W
have, and the expenses you have gone to il
buying wedding things, Bertha"
They then left the room, locking the doc
after them.
''All this time was perfectly sensible @
what was going on, though my mind wa
one chaos Of disgust. l was in a complet
state of catelepsy yet my senses were wild
awake. But who can picture my agonizin
feelings To be buried alive, and left to di
by inches in a narrow coffin, with load u
earth piled over me! Oh! if l were onl
really dead! But this torture-worse tina
the torture of the lost ones
II had often read of graves being opened
and the corpses found on their sides, wit
the glass of the coffin smashed When til
poor wretches came to they struggled har
for their escape, only to smother and die.
"The torture Of that night was fearful.
even shudder now when think fit. TIL
doctor came next morning. 1 had hope
that he'd pronounce me not dead but NJ
he just left his hand upon my brow, shoe
his head, and walked off
"a few old women came and stripped an
washed me, and then put on my grav
clothes. One of them remarked:
Il never felt corpse so soft; the flesh
like living persnn's."
II have heard it remarked,n said another
'that is sign some friend of his will 500
die"
Il wish We had another bottle of brandy
said third; II hate to be about thes
corpses without plenty of drink"
81 was placed in the coffin, and som
friends dropped into see me. George Rut
land and Mark Keating were nv most init
mate friends, and visited me- They locke
atme few moments, Rutland remarking
Devilish sudden, poor Charles went !'
Yes, indeed" said the other. 81 sa
will you go to Mrs. Dancers ball tonight 2
Certainly, my dear fellow and l inten,
making my love to the widow she has tn
sinners, you know
"Oh, nonsense, Keating, she's too old
That niece of hers is a splendid girl :" an,
my two dear friends went home to prepa1
for the ball
"Ah,"I thought, "if the dead could onl
come to life, what sermon they coult
preach upon the hypocrisy of their preten
ded friends"
"Bertha had come in the room durin!
the day, and l am sure cried for effect.
:" 1t was night again, and was left alon
with the nurses and another old woman
both OF whom soon fell asleep. Some on
had gently come in and bent over me-i
was Emma. She pressed her lips to mine
and the tears trickled over my face.
"Oh, Charles, Charles |" she murmured
"if you anly knew how much loved you
She took her scissors and cut lock of
my hair and putt in her bosom. She agair
kissed and re-kissed me as her tears trickled
over my face.
Was it the sanctifed presence of pure
love that moved the angels to remove me
| met / murmured:
I" Emma"
| "She gave a scream of joy and terror
and when the nurses reached the bed the
found my arms thrown around the poo
child.
My story is told. Emma is my wifi
and almost bless the dreadful sleep tha
gave me such treasure"
| 2inunlor Claim