Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-07-06

tractedly on the glaring horrors aroul
me. With a cold shudder | moved
the bier, and stood upon the stone foe
contrasting the icy GOODNESS with Il
warm vapors of the atmosphere.
unwound the tight binding of N
death robe, and, hardly knowing VIII;
did, crawled to remote corner, an
striving to shut out the fearful sigh
crouched alone. But the horrid dea
eyes would stare at me from thei
sockets, though l covered my face wit
my winding sheet which still enwrap
ped my body-my only protection. A
cold sweat streamed from every pore
and the heavy air stifed my lungs, as
| thought how long it might be ere
the doors of this chamber of death
would again be opened.
1t seemed hardly an hour that | re-
manned thus, when the light that stole
through the window in the low roof,
grew gradually less and less, till all
objects became dim to my vision. The
night was coming on. j knew that
the night must be spent in this place
but knew not how many more
Sleep began to steal over my frame !;
for the experiences of the last few
hours had made havoc with my powers
of physical endurance. | knew it
would be unwise TO remain longer on
the cold, damp floor; for already chills
began to alternate through my over
heated body. But the thought of
beside the dead Necessity
knows no delicacies-no law. l rose,
overturned my bier upon the floor, and
the sheet around me, stretch
ed my limbs on its under side, and was
soon asleep.
l awoke long afterwards. Ny slum-
Der had been ftful, and crowded with
lorrid dreams and frightful spectres.
The moon was shining, though dimly,
through the narrow sash in the ceiling,
is rays adding yet more startling
,hostliness to the scene ii Illuminated. |
Then knew it was far into the night.
The old German city slept. The cit
zens-the noble-royal-all were
Iuiet under the sole surveillance of the
tars and the solitary night Waterman.
slept again. In the horrid dream, |
creamed outright, and threw my arms
wildly about me, striking the edge of
he nearest bier, and upsctting it. The
OCCUPANT came tumbling down upon
he floor, one stiff arm supporting the
ody in a half sitting position, and the
Their falling with rigid palm on my |
reast, while the frightful, disordered |
ountenance beamed directly over my |
ace, within six inches, and its glossy
yeballs, cleaning with a prospores-
ent light, glared into mine. Horror
IN times more horrible froze my blood,
nd it was long before l could sum-
ION resolution to act. With a yell of |
error that echoed dead against the
lose walls, / sprang up, pushing the
ody from me, fleeing, as it fell back
nth dull sound, to the corner, and
id my face in my robe of death,
baking from head to foot.
need not relate how morning came
gain. How, as time advanced, hun
,er gnawed my vitals. How l raved
md yelled, and fruitlessly tried to
orce the heavy doors of the place.
How little mouse nibbled near, and
brought crumbs and sweetmeats
through his hole, which 1 bounced up
IN; and when the tiny creature saw
hat his supper was gone, it ran back
or more. How another night came.
low | raved with thirst. How morn
ng came again, daylight still lighting
Up the same awful scene. How, at
ength nature could endure it no more.
tainted, and lay cold and still again.
| awoke gradually from the faint
Wy eyes were opened with a CLASSY,
leath-stare, and L knew | was being
carried on bier across the court yard
hat separated the dead-house from
he college. / tried to move, but was
lot able, and 1 was wound tightly in
ne sheet. AT last L stopped. "A door
'pencd and shut behind me. was in
he dissecting room. The two men
at down my bier, disrobed me, and
while 1 was yet barely conscious, and
Incapable of reaction, threw me hcavi-
y at full length on the table, letting
ny head hang painfully over the edge.
My position was unfavorable to re-
but knew, when a mo-
nent after, the medical professors en-
tered, followed by noisy crowd of
students, my brother among them
One of the professors, whom l recog-
,izcd, approached the table, while the
Students took their seats to witness the
performance. The professor / knew