The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-07-15
TALES OF THE BORDERS
THE BEREAV
CONCLUDED.
Ei ALEN. LEIGHTON

CONCLUDED
"What is the matter, George? y she
cried the question was repeated by the
aunt, and the eyes of the parent sough
languidly the face of the youth, which
was, however, now covered by his hands.
The question was more than once repeated
BY both the aunt and myself; the father
never spoke, nor could | perceive single
ray of curiosity in his eye. He seemed to
await the issue of the sons explanation,
needless what it might be-whether the an
nouncement of great or lesser evil-its
magnitude, though transcending the bounds
of ordinary bearing, comprebending every
other misfortune that fate could have in
store for him, being, whatever its proper
ton, as nothing to The death-stricken
heart of one whose hope was buried
This is scarcely time or an occasion,
George" said |, ''fOr the manifestation of
these emotions. If the cause lies in the
gret, come back with increased force, for
the death of your mother, you should have
known that there l. one lying there whose
load is still greater, and who is, unfortu-
nately, as yet, beyond the relief which,
a. your agitation indicates, nature in
The Young heart is working for YOU"
The death the DEATH he muttered
in a choking voice but there is some
thing after the death that is worse than
death itself
care YOU distracted, George?" said the
aunt. This Bible was the handbook
-r,d the rule If yonr mothers coudacs IN
this world. A better woman never offered
up her prayers at the fountain Of the wa
ters of immortal life; no one that ever
lived had better right to draw from the
blessing, or better qualified for enjoying it
as she now enjoys it. She is in heaven /;
and will you say that that is worse than
DEATH"
"You speak Of her spirit, aunt, replied
be, as be still covered bis face with his
hands "Her spirit is there !'-and be
took away one of hands from bis face and
pointed 10 heayen-"There where the
saints rest, does MY mothers soul rest !;
but. 0 God, where is the bodyI'
A thought struck me on the instant. |
was afraid to utter it. looked at the
father, and suspected, from the sudden
light of animation that started to bis eye,
that the gloom Of bis mind bad at last
been penetrated by the thought which had
suggested itself to ne.
"Where is the body y responded the
aunt. "Why, George, where should it be
but in c. chuchyard, beneath the
stone that has told the virtues of her an
cestors, and will, in a short time, declare
her own, greater than those Of her kindred
gone before her n
sit is on DIR. Ms table :" cried the
youth, starting to his feet, and again
throwing himself violently on the chair
Il purchased it; paid the price for it and
recognized it only when the dissecting
knife was in my haEd!' Every one start
ed agbast terror froze up the issues Of
speech a deep groan issued from the bed
ridden patient; be beckoned me to his ear
"Tell the women to 60 out he whispered
as be twisted bis body convulsively amt ng
the bedclothes.
| complied with his request and tht
aunt, seizng Martha, who stood as if sh'
bad been transfixed TO the floor, dragged be-
out OF the room In the passage, hearC
a loud scream and, IN a moment, all wai
again silence. Mr. B, without utter
ing word, raised his feeble body from The
bed, and came forth, the spectre Of what
be was only few weeks before. Ills limbs
which were reduced to bony sbanks, cover
ed with shrivelIed skin, seemed totally un
able to support even the decayed ,emaclateC
frame. tie staggered as be reached tb,
floor; but, recovering himself, stood firm
and then proceeded to his wardrobe, from
which he drew his vestments, and proceed
Cd 10 attire himself.
An hour since," be said, in slow, sol
emn voice, al thought these clothes would
never again be on my body. My only bop
was the winding sheet, and that gray,
which has been robbed"
George may have been deceived, sale
|, as be was proceeding to dress himself
81 have often thought that | saw resem-
| bances to deceased friends in the feature
of subjects in the dissectng ON"
the grave will test it," answered be
with deep groan, as be proceed d slowly
but resolutely, to put one garment afte
another on his skeleton body.
He was at length dressed and, proceed
ing to the kitchen, be appeared again, in
short time, with lighted lantern in hi
hand, the light Of which, as it threw it
beam on his sallow face-for the candl
had, meanwhile, burned down into tn
soeket-exbibited in its lurid glare, th
deep -sunken eyes and protrudrng bones Q
/ his emaciatel countenance.
/. Come, we shall proceed to the grave {
) nv Isabella" said he.
"You are nnable," said |. "Your limt
q will not carry you that length; and 20
are, besides, untitled by the state Of you
b mind and feelings, for an investigation I
this kind. Stay here with your son, an
| will 90 to the churchyard and satisfy my
h self of the deception under which Georg
, doubtless labbors"
'l feel now more than my forme
strength" " he replied. 81 am awakene
r