Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-05-24

7
weeks, and had promised to remain with
her parents until that time But fate deci.
ded otherwise A few lines from an only
brother informed me that he had just deci
ded to carry out long cherished wish, which
was to go with his wife to Europe 1t was
their desire that should accompany them.
As we were TO start in less than week, 1
was obliged to hurry home
| left few lines for Marie, stating that
L would write to her as soon as possible, and
let her know where to address a letter to
me.
1t is not my purpose to speak of my life
in Europe.where We went or what we saw
only this My brother could never un-
desstand my dislike to visiting the tombs of
the dead.
Il do not ike rummaging in graveyards,
L would say TO him. So, too, with all moon
light nights; SO beautiful to him, but which
We're, and always will be, a ghastly horror
to me-
| wrote frequently to Marie and her
mother. but my brother had no fixed plan,
e,
was impossible fos me to receive any re-
plies.
We remained abroad until the following
April, a little more than year. The day
after our arrival home, | started for Mr..
iindeh's S. | cannot exactly tell what my
feelings were as the cars neared the old
| town. Certainly Was not as calm as
would lave been without that disturbing
| vision. But if any one had asked me if |
believed in the possibility Of its truth, /
should have answered, No"
1t was four o'clock when arrived at the
end of my journey. 4 few minutes walk
brought me to the house / ring the bell,
which was answered by an old woman whom
| had frequently seen during my previous
visits.
Come in" she said ''Mr. and Mrs.
Linden are in Europe you did not know
it, perhaps
Il know nothing, | replied quickly Il
have just returned from Europe myself
| could not ask about Marie but I arose
and went TO the window, the one that look
L
yes, reader, | saw the third monument in
ten minutes | stood before it. With a brain
too paralyzed to admit of surprise, or any
other feeling, read: Sacred to the mem
ory of Marie Percival who died February
9Th, IS, aged nineteen years and eleven
months.
don't know how long it was before |
was aroused by the old woman from the
stupor into which had fallen Becoming
alarmed at my long stay, she had COME out
to find me. From her | learned all | shall
ever know. 1 will tell it in few words as
possible.
On that day Marie. with her husband and
two or three other young friends. had gone
out on the bay, as was their frequent Gus
tom when the weather was fiue | gathered.
from what the woman said, that the day
had been unusually calm, but that Il sud
den squail had thrown the boat against a
low reef of Shiny, weed covered rocks,
which ran out into the water. 1t did not
upset the boat, but Mrs Percival was
thrown out. The accident happened on the
SeaWaru slue OF the rocks, anu thOugn Alr.
Perciyal was good swimmer, ard remain
ed in the water until be was dragged out by
one Of the party, yet Mrs. Percival was not
found until some hours afterward.
have only 20 add, that Mr.. Linden, who
was an Engiishman, took his wife to Eu
rope, hoping that in change of scene she
might recover from the shock. But she
died shortly afterward aud Vas buried
there. Mr.. Linden las never returned to
this country
OF Mr.. George Percival know nothing.
Whether he married again, or whether he is
still mourning for his lost bride, cannot
say. But, reader, | have told you true
story-the solution [ leave for you.