Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-03-07

his spectaeles, as he sat propped up in bed,
E turned over the paper several times and
examined it carefully; then placed his en-
: ger on . part be had selected. aud handed
it to me, with request that should read
It. 1t was headed Cherokee" In the
course Of the reading came to the word
''omnipotence." l gave IL the full sound
-omuipoienee. He checked me Instant
. ly. 4 hesitated on his criticism and in
;. an inquiring and doubtful tone repeated
I.sbe word rs he had pronounced IT, Hesharp-
ly replied. "Tbere can be no doubt oft"
{ I now observed to him that there was
{ great deal Of sublimity in the compositios;
he directly referred me to the Mosaic as-
count Of the creation. and replied: Let
there be light, and there vas light t'-there
is sublimity.
, The morning ofthe day tha. John Ram
dolph died, received an early and urgent
, message to visit him. Several persons we're
! in the room. but soon left it, except his
servant. John. who appeared affected at
the situation Of bis dying master. re-
marked to John. soon after arrived that
! | had seen bis master very low several
times before, and he had revived, and per-
haps he would again. The patient direct
ly said John knows better than that :"
The interview of this morning was Pc
! culiarly impressive. had not been long
with him before he looked at me with
great intensity. and said in VERT earnest
and distinct manner: Il confirm every
disposition in my will. especially that re-
spec,ing my slaves. whom | have manu-
mittcd, and for whom have made provi-
sion" This declaration vas to me al
together unexpected 1t involved a sub
ject which in our previous interviews had
never been touched 1t was one could not
ha vc introduced. assured him was re-
joiced to hear such declaration from him
lleappearcd anxious to press il on my mind
Soon after this proposed to go for 4 shor,
time to attend an urgent message recciv-
ed before | lef, home, assuring my patient
I would return as speedily as possible
He positively objected to my leaving
him. lyon must not; you cannot: you
shall not leave me-" lie called to his ser
not leave the room, and John accordingly
locked the door and soon reported. MAS
ter. | have locked the door and got the
key in my pocket; the doctor can't go
now" My proposal to leave him for a
short time, even on promise OF return.
evidently irritatcd him for moment. It
may show the situation Of his mind when
state, that in the moment of excitement
to which have referred. he said, IF YOU
do GO, you need not return | appealed
to him as to the propriety of such an or
der, inasmuch as was only dcsirous Of
discharging my duty to another patient
who might stand in need ofmy assistance.
His manner instantly changed. aud he
said Il retract that expression; anil
probably quarter Of IN hour afterwards,
casting on me an expressive look. he again
said: II retract that expression"
told him | thought understood him
distinctly on the subject he had commu-
nicatcd, and presumed the will would ex-
plain itself fully. He replied in his pc
, culiar way. mo. YOU don't understand
it, | know you don't Our laws are ex-
,rcmcly particular on the subject of slaves;
u will NAV manumit them but provi-
sion for their subsequent support requires
that declaration be made in TIE presence
Of white witness; and it is requisite that
, the witness. after hearing the declaration.
should continue with the party. and never
: lose sight Of him until he is gone or dead
lou are a good witness for John--you see
the propriety and Importance of remaining
with me-your patients must make allow
ancc for your situation
!, saw and felt the force Of the appeal
The interest of the scene increased every
) moment | was now locked in chamber
with 4 dying statesman Of no common or
, der-one whose commanding talents and
T elevated political statior. combined with
great cccen,ricity ofcharactcr. had spread
his fame not only through his native land
bu, over Europe.
He then said. John told me this
, morning. Master. you are dying -
made TO attempt TO conceal my views
On the contrary, | assured him would
speak to him with entire candor on the
occasion, and told him that it had been
rather a matter of surprise tha, he had
continued SO long He DOW made his pre-
} partitions to die. Between him and his
faithful servant there appeared to be a
complete understanding He directed John
! to bring him his fathers breast but, on.
which was Immediately produced. He
then directed him to place it in the bosom of
his shirt Ii was an old-fashioued, large-siz-
ed gold stud. John placed i, in the button
hole of the shirt bosom but to fix il CON-
. pletely required a hole on the opposite side.
! When this was announced TO his master, he
quickly said Get kuife aud Gu, one"
handed my penknife to John. who cut the
hole and fixed the valuable relic to the
satisfaction Of the expiring patient A
napkin was also called for. and was placed
BY John over the breast Of the patient.
For short time he iay perfectly quiet.
his eyes were closed. and l concluded he
; was disposed to sleep. He suddenly
reused from this state with the words.
''Remorse. rcmorse.' 1, was twice re-
pcsted; the las, time at the top Of his
voice, evidently with great agitation. He
: cried out: LET me see the wcrd -
D No reply followed. having learned enough
: Of the character Of my patient to ascertain
: that when did not knew exactly what to