The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1874-08-22
THINGS GENERALLY.
BY MAX ADELER.

The most painful instance of man llav-
ing premonition of death that l,now of,
was that of Mr.. Fortescue, who lived in our
village. He came home one afternoon with
a pallid face and told his wife that he was
deeply impressed with the conviction that
he would die within forty-eight hours.
Then, while she was bathed in tears, he sat
down and had long talk with her, giving
directions about his affairs, advising her
about managing the dear children when he
was gone and telling her how tenderly he
loved her, and how hard it was for him to
part from her. After few passionate ex-
pressions of affection and regret, Mr.. For
tescue sent for a lawyerand made his will.
Then he went around and bade goodbye to
his friends and sought minister, from
whom he obtained religious consolation,
and from whom he parted weeping. Pro-
ceeding to the tailor's he purchased burial
suit, and then, ALTERNATING all the arrange
ments with the undertaken for the funeral,
he bought ahandsome, satin-lined rosewood
coffin and wrote out list of the friends
whom he wanted to act as pall-bearers.
The tombstone selected by him at the mar
BILE yard bore representation of flower
with broken stem and the legend, "Not
lost, but gone before;;' and in his interview
with the grave-digger at the cemetery lie
selected spot near where his mother was
laid under the green trees, at the same time
giving directions that violets should be
planted above him in the early spring. 1t
was very melancholy, and full of deepest
pathos. This was i'll 1S44, and he is still
alive and hearty, having since been twice
in the State Legislature, once in Jail for as
sault and battery upon his wife, and having
been turned out Of the Temperance Society
for drinking too much bewildering rum.
He resides in Pencader where he keeps a
billiard saloon, and he attributes that wain-
ing to his having been too bilious.l
That case of 1arnall's is exciting good
deal of interest down our way just now
Last spring 1arnall began to visit one of
the Metcalf girls, and for while he was so
attentive there that everybody felt certain
there would be match. On towards July
things seemed to be coming to crisis, and
in fact they were, for Yarnall had made up
his mind to propose to Matilda. 1t was on
Friday evening that he called for the pur-
pose, and as the weather was warm he sat
in tho Yaarlnr with ho,r ;,b+ 4ho
front windows being open. Yalnall didn't
perceive a good chance of introducing the
subject for some time and his nervousness
made him warm. Just us he was on the
point of proposing, he wanted to wipe his
brow, but he found that he had left his
handkerchief i'll his hat. He excused him.
self for moment while he went into the
hall to get it, and as he did SO Matilda went
out through the back parlor door to get a
glass Of water. Her mother came in as she
went out, and when Yanall returned, he
found the old lady, who is q widow and
also named Matilda, sitting on the sofa.
Supposing of course that it was his own
Matilda he summoned up courage and asked
her to be his. The old lady was surprised;
but widows are courageous, and she ac-
copied him on the spot. Just as he was re-
covering from his amazement at the sound
of her voice, shrek was heard and the
younger Matilda fell fainting OH the carpet.
Yarnall tried to explain, but Matilda refus-
ed to believe mm and he finally left the
house in disgust. Then the old lady sued
him for breach of promise and Matilda act
cd as witness. 1t seems likely Yarnall will
lose, and if he does he will remain bache-
lor.