Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-01-18
A NIGHT OF TERROR.

Charley, do you know that your bosom
friend, Ethan Grey, is dead? He died sud
denly last night, cried Jack Allain, rush
ing uncercmoniously to my room early one
morning before / was dressed
Jack, it is impossible | left him at his
own door at eleven last night in as good
health as ever"
But as spoke. saw from Mr.. Allain' ;.
pale face that 1t was no mistake, and there
Immediately flashed across my mind the re-
membrance of an old promise that l had
made to Ethan Grey, had renewed the
night before. l am not ashamed to say
that this memory brought cold dews of ter
Tor to my body. My companion observed
my sudden pallor, and strove in his rough
way to comfort me. He was. next door
neighbor of the Crews and had been sum
moned to their house by the cries Of Mrs
Grey, who, on going to her sons room to
awaken him, had found him stiff and dead
IN his bed.
The old lady is dreadfuly cut up, Char
ley. he said in conclusion, ''aud there is
no one but Ethan. sister Edith to see to
anything 1t was her that sent me to you. -
Ny poor GIRL" | cried, as | hastily
dressed myself-for Edith and l were en-
gagged to be married, As | walked rapidly
to Mrs Grey's | could only remember that
Ethan was dead, and that | should be call
ed upon to fulfil the promise referred to-.
The thought was selfish one, | will admit,
but have ever been of nervous, sensitive
temperament.
Ethan Grey and had been sch0oImates ;
we graduated from college at the same time,
and started in life tOgether-he was a disci-
pie of law, and doctor We disagreed
on many subjects, without any bitterness,
however. When about eighteen, and while
We were at college, Ethan wandered from
the church of which we were members, to
follow after false teacher. He had by
chance come in contact with an infdel, a
man Of great talent, who had been degraded
from his sacred calling for irregularity of
life. SpcciOus and eloquent, this man was
dangerous companion.
Unfortunately, Ethan, who was easily
influenced, fell under his influence, and be-
came fully imbued with his views After
knowing this for while, he Mortified me
by the denial of higher and more perfect
state OF existence, and by declaring the next
World was coffin. ~
Al college we passed many long nights in
arguing the question. |, at that period
OeIns very orthodox, was uncharitable, in
'Isiing that for my friend there would be no
salvation if he did not return to the old
OtIIet. One night, after hotter argument
Than usual, | made some remark indicative
OF pity for his soul after it should leave his
U'ly. Turning to me stavely. after a mo-
ment pause, he said, ''Cbarey you may
oe right In your belief of future state,yet
cannot ascribe to the Great Unknown the
cFuc! attributes with which the orthodoxy
delight to clothe Him. | believe that if
there Is hereafter, my soul will enjoy it as
We'll as yours. We are both seekers after
ruth, Sfould | die first, and the spiritual
essence called the soul, leave my body, if it
permitted, it shall make itself manifest
10 you-to more than one of your senses
sna!i 1t appeal, and that within twenty four
hours after my death. If we continue to
live in the same village, as is most likely,
ST up alone with my body the first night,
aud then will visit you. Is it bargain,
Charey?"
les, Ethan, [ will willingly agree; and
snould die first you will sit up with me,
ana will come and warn you to repent and
Believe, y was my eager answer
at the time that We made this strange
Tonpaet my health was by no means robust.
was OF nervous, sensitive temperament,
1o,'ered by close application to study, and
0ei'eVed that should die early. For the