Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-04-05
THE PARSONS LAST TEXT.

One afternoon IN May, Prudence
Palfrey made her appearance at the
cottage In Horseshoe Lane, and was
solicited by Salome to speak to the par
son, who had locked himself IN the lit
tie room after the departure of the
two deacons.
1t was with an inexplicable sense of
uneasiness that Prudence crossed the
library, and knocked softly on the
panel of the inner door. The parson
did not seem to hear the summons; at
ali events he paid no attention to it,
and Prudence knocked again.
Hes gittin' the least bit hard of
hearin', poor SOUL" said Salome.
"Mebbe he heard that, though" she
added, more cautiously, "for he always
hears when you don't spose he Will.
Do jest speak to him, honey; he'll
know your voice in a mint"
Prudence put her lips down to the
key hole and called, "Parson Wilbird:"
its Prue-won't you speak to me!
He made no response to this, and In
the silence that ensued, broken only by
the quick respiration of the two women
there was no sound as if he were pre-
pairing to undo the ~fastenings. Pru-
dence rose upwith a half frightened ex-
preston on her c~ountenance and look
ed at Salome.
"What canhave ~happened?" she said,
hurriedly.
'Lord o. mercy knows" replied Sa-
lone, catching Prue's alarm. Don't
stare at me in sech a way, dear; I'm as
nervous as nothin'."
"Are sure he is there?"
"Sartin. Ial bU: see him goin' in,
an / haven't ben out ofthe room sence.
He must be there"
lis he subject to vertigo, ever?"
Dunno" said Salome, doubtfuIly.
al mean, does he ever faint"
HE did have a curious sort of spell
two or three weeks ago an DR.. The
ophilus give him some med'cinefor il"
He has tainted, them Get a candle
quick. Stop, Salome, I'll go with
you"
Prudence was afraidto remain in the
library alone. Size was impressed by
some impalpable presence In the half
darkness. The shadows huddled to-
gether in the corners. The long rows
of books, in their time-stained leather
bindings, looked down sombrely from
the shelves. On the table was an open
volume, with anivory paper-cutterup upon
it, which he had been reading. His
frayed dressing-gown lay across a
chair in front of the table. 1t seemed
like some weird, collapsed figure, lying
there. All the familiar objects IN the
room had turned strange and woe-be-
gone in the twilight. Prudence would
not have been left alone for the world
The two went out together for the
candle, which Salome with a trembling
hand lighted at the kitchen stove.
Then they fitted back to the library
silently, with white sharp faces, like
ghosts.
What shall we do?"
I'VE must break In the door," said
Prudence, under her breath. "Youhold
the candle"
She placed her knee against thelowel
panel and pressed with all her strength
The lock wa old and rusty, and the
screws worked loosely in the worm
eaten woodwork. The door yielded al
the second pressure, andfew open, with
= shower of fine dust sitting down from
the Intel.
The girl retreated a step or two
and, shading her eyes with the palm
of her hand, peered into the darkeneC
space.
Nothing was distinct at first, but a.
Salomc raised the light above Prue'i
head, the figure of the parson suddenl,
took shape against the gloom.
EHe was sitting in an old-fashionec
arm chair, with his serene face ben
over a great Bible covered with gree
baize, which he held on his knee. Hi
left arm hung idly by his side, and tn
fore6nger of his right hand rested
lightly on the middle of the page, as i
slumber had overtaken him so, read
ing.
Claws O. mercy, if the parson hasn'
gone to sleep!' exclaimed Salome, step
ping into the small compartment.
"Asleep!" repeated Prudence, tn
treasured color returning to her cheek
Salome laid her hand on the parson'
arm, and then passed it quickly owe
his foreheod.
Hes dead" cried Salome, dropping
the candlestick.