Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-17
SITTING UP WITH A CORPSE.
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY !

CONTINUED FROM YEsTERDAY1
was at the scene of the catastrophe In
few moments. And there, laid out al
read with the grim formalities of death, I
gazed upon the dead body of my friend
Atwick, whom l had beheld but few
hours before in the perfection of health
a mangled, bloody corpse, lying still upon
the pavement, with crowd of people
gathered. like ghosty statues, in the
twilight about it. Some of the men had
already constructed litter l was re-
quested, as knew Mrs. Atwick. perhaps
| better than any one in the village, to hasten
on before and break the hideous truth to
her as gently as could. shrank back,
appalled,. Demurring and fearful, should
positively have declined this painful duty
OF friendship, but for the temporary alb
sence OF our rector, and the necessity of
speedy action in some one. The state
ment OF great writer that there is some
thing not altogether unpleasant to us in the
mistortunes Of our dearest friends, is
rank libel upon even medium human ma
ture. should not have been more dis
tressed if Mary Atwick. the woman to
whom was going on such an errand, had
been my own sister, And yet, my ac-
u.
was anything but popular woman; she
had mingled but little with the people of
the village, and had thus remained with
out friends, while Atwick himself had
been universal favorite. had visited
his house on more social terms than any
ono else, believe. and though | had
never found her varying from cold and
naughty reserve, had every reason to
believe that Atwick was deyotedly at
tached to her and his children.
II, hOwcver,I had known it to be other.
wise-if they had been to each other OBJ
.jects of mutual Indifference, or sometimes
even of aversion, should not still have
hesitated to break the quiet of household
with tidings of such death to one of its
members Yet, was so stricken with
the dumb sort of amazement, that had
realized nothing of his position. and had
not thought of what | was to say-even'
when found my hand upon the gate of
the yard inclosure. All at once, however,
a sense of what had come to do struck
terror to my soul, and the same shudder
had experienced in my office thrilled me
from head to foot. There We're no lights
about the house as went up the gravel
walk. But thought some one had come
on the same errand, as saw the figure of
man going up the steps before me.
paused an instant on the threshold of the
portico, waiting for the figure, with its
back towards me, to lift the knocker to
strike for admission, when the door flew
open without a sound, and the person en-
tering revealed to me, my God-the blood
stained features of Fenton Atwick himself,
GLOW, how " | cried; .'have you re-
covered sufficiently to get here before me-
are you alone ?"
1t moved toward the door of an inner
room, beckoning to me with its mutilated
bloody hand. And voice that should
have known. without the words, belonged
to nothing mortal. said slowly; Il am
here in the spirit, before YOU. Jerry; my
body follows on apace. Over it have no
further control. But, that thou doest, do
quickly, or poor Mary's heart will be
broken"
l was still looking, when the figure
vanished, AS knew it would. and was
again alone in the moonlight. Wonder
ing, amazed, everything but frightened,
paused moment in dumbfounded bewil-
derment There was no stronger emo
ton in heart or mind than bitter, bitter
sorrow for the woman up stairs, as step
ped back and gave long, loud rap upon
the door. a servant came to light the
lamp in the hall. and admitted me. Mrs
Atwick came in a moment. Her face was
whittier than the gown she wore, as she
looked at me.
i was at my window, up stairs, when
saw you come in at the gate, with DR..
Atwick beside you. Tell me where he
has gone.
l tried to speak to her, but could not.
My lips were still sealed, when all at once,
she went down on her knees, crying out
that 'he was dead" She asked no con-
firmation from me of the horrible truth
that had come upon her. never saw any
creature go on as she did in my life. and
hope, in Gods mercy, that never may.
When l spoke to her, at last, she rallied
out at to me- "to be gone, and leave her
alone, for had murdered him" l think
her mind had entirely lost its balance.
Knocked at the door of the next house.
and babe the woman go to'her. for could
do nothing. They had taken her up stairs,
when the heavy tramp Of the men with the
litter was heard without.
lie has shown no symptoms of return
ing consciousness, l supposea' | said to
Fleet.
Consciousness l should think not.
when he was dead even before Jones had
lifted him from the earth, was answer
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