The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-06-04

better, but his strength was gone and hc sanl
ssd upon the pillow Mary saw , me effort OFT
then raised him almost to sitting position
God bless you, Mary dear..pray for me-
he said. aud then, raising the crucihx h
pressed it to his lips, his eyes closed, his hp
gently parted, and smile of sweet satisfac
ton spread over his face rs he fell back on tn,
pilIows--dead. Mary looked long and wistfulIy
only asleep, and, AZ che arranged the bed and
put bis hair back, Captain Evans entered and
asked how 10 was.
"He is dead, sir" the girl quietly replied.
"Indeedi yes-thars so." replied the cap
tain, rs be took the lfeless hand in his and
felt for the pulse that was now stilled forever
and I'll tx him up"
:" cannot leave him. sir" she said.
why. you can't g. him." replied tho cap.
tain tain It's not lit works for delicate Young
Mary gave such directions she thought of
IN relation to the arrangement of the corpse
aud then left the room. When she returned
he was dressed in neat suit of black clothes,
with nice shirt and well-tied cravat; his
hair had been combed back from his forehead
and bis face clearly shaven. She felt grateful
TO the captain for this kind attention, and be-
lieved that beneath a rongh exterior he car
ried good heart. Mr. DrOlPs watch guard, q
plain black ribbon, was around his neck
as he always wore it, with the end in his
time, she pulled it out,- but the watch wac
gone. She thought the captain had so ar
ranged 1t, in order to keep the watch from
being buried with him. aud recognized in the
act another evidence of his watchful ness and
fOrethought.
During the night she watched alone with the
corpse of her friend. and thought through the
dark hours of the night of how great to her
was the loss of this only true friend, who had
been to her like father. She could not think
ut the future, of what she would do, now that
cionded present, hung over her with the gloom
of u pail, and she could only think of her kind,
indnlgent friend, uncle and father, as he lay
there before her in the cold and rigid form Of
death. There was one friend she thought of
and whose presence would have cheered the
gloom that surrounded her. During their long
acquaintance Philip Cummings had Joined in
her studies and sports, had ~ nipathized with
her in her troubles and trials, aud had always
taken an interest in whatever engaged her.
1 mere had been DO set ways or speeches be-
6deDce or esteem. They had played, studied,
sung and walked together without any Thought
Ut being more than friendly and agreeable,
When they had differed in opinion on any snb-
spoken candidly and without any attempt at
an agreeability they did not feel. Yet q friend
'hip, mutual esteem, and a deep interest in
Zach others welfare, had sprung up between
hem, which was ali the more deep and sin
'ere, and was likely to prove the more dula able,
because it sprung up UNDECIDED and unsought
~ either. She thought often during that long
,,ght how grieved Philip would feel when he
heard Of the death of Mr.. Droll, who had been
70 kind to them both, apd how sincerely he |
would sympathize with her if he was only
present.
Early next morning the captain came in.
by one of the men, no carried some
'0pes. He surprised to find her there and |
more so when he learned that she had watched
I'll night.
"Well, think it's all nonsense to watch |
With dead man." he said, with d careless. |
ude manner, "just like it would do him any
harm to remain alone"
1t t,e foolish. !" she renfied Clint + 80 |
aud, think, is but poor tribute |
20 the memory of dear, lost friend"
Well-well-as you like" he replied, i'm |
suppose you want to say good
bye to him if SO, hurry up, SO that we can
put him over before the sun gets very high"
you surely are not in earnest"
ITO be sure, i am" he said. "Didn't you |
n the water"
"Such things I know occur on emigraut
ships and in mid-ocean," but yon are not !
pressed for room, and, besides, two DAYS more. |
,r three, at most, will bring us to Liverpooln |
Can't see that that makes any difference"
ne replied.
But, Captain, he has friends who will want
the body, and will gladly pay you LOT the
trouble of keeping it," she urged.
"Your canny Scotch are not over liberal
with their ha'pence," he replied. I" and will not
mind it; in fact 1 have no doubt they will
thank me for saving them ths expense of a
"You speak very lightly of your fellow men,"
she replied, with dignity, "and very irrever-
ent OF the dead. am surprised that one who
10 80 constantly in danger should speak so
of the trials OF Others"
well. Miss, if you are through, we will
proceed" be said, with sneer.
Think for d moment, Captain" she urged
upon hun, "only two days more and We will
reach Liverpool, where you can have the body
cased aud his friends will take it from YOU
That will be great joy to his moth. +, q CON
ISOLATION to his brother and a favor they will
IN
board! Have some consideration for the
wishes and prayers of his friends"
at can't he done," he replied, firmly and
deoisively, "the body must go over now"
"Siuce you will not listen to my prayers for
the body Of my poor friend" ale said, sadly y
lyon will at least let me conform to the rules
of Christian burial"
To this the captain reluctantly assented.
The body WAS wrapped in blanket, bound up
with cords aud then removed to the deck,
where it was exposed until Mary completed
the ceremonies of the Church over HIM.
Kneeliug on the deck beside the corpse, she
read the L,tany of the Dead and the solemn
and beautiful office of burial, while the men
stood by with heads uncovered and respectfully
bowed down. When she had finished she
stuUDed for IL moment the bOdy