Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-07-03
IcSmmanicates.
THAT DEATH BELL.

L
MEsSRs. EpIToRs - -ou will. |
am sure, allow constant reader q
short space to talk about Death. -
Ughl Pleasant subject this hot wea-
Their. Now, III have your readers
look ON 4 picture:
We viii go, il you please, to the
sick chamber of one of our poor, hon.
est working men, who has been pros
trated ON a bed Of illness for several
weeks. During all this hot weather
he has been suffering there, while we
being well, have suffered from the
oppressive heat. Imagine the state
of his mind; the money saved for a
"rainy day. is nearly gone his wife
and little ones stand at his bedside,
knowing full well that they cannot
offer the nourishment necessary for
his speedy restoration to health and
strength, because-well, may this
only be an imaginary picture. He
realizes the condition of affairs, and
exclaims, . Must / lie here and have
| my family suffer? No. mol I'll raj
Ily. May God give me strength. ~
He calls his wife; she administers
unto him the pillow is now re-
arranged, and, after a few kind
words from her, he, feels a new
| inspiration, determination to be re-
stored to health. At this important
moment that bell, that cruel bell be-
gins tolling the death of some one.
The children rush to the bedside with
the news; now watch the counte-
,o,ooi yN,f1, !. baa,.t ,.a,, 1,,,f ~ x,x,.rac-
sion of despair he turns his face to
the wall, and we often wonder why
such misery is entailed on the sick of
our pleasant town.
Isn't it bad enough to be compel
led to endure the sswhips and scorns
of time, the oppressor's wrong, the
proud man rs contumely the insolence
of office, and all the ills that flesh is
heir to, without being compelled to
have death and eternity constantly
ringing in our ears
That bell has a demoralizing influ-
ence on the rising generation. Why?
I'll tell you: Look at that young la
dy in all the pride of youth, paint and
powderi She is going to the ball; her
toilet is complete, and all she is wait
ing for is Adolphus. She feels mis-
cradle enough to be kept waiting for
him and with over-skirt pinned back
SO tight that she couldn't pick up her
fan she stamps her foot impatiently,
and wonders ''why he don't come,
that's ALL" At this moment Of vex-
alton, she hears that bell. %. DEAR
she exclaims, there's that bell again.
Well, what care we for the future ?
No man hath ever seen it--and from
that moment she has a greater
desire to be the s'belle of the ball,
Charley" Well leave her waiting.
Now, where is Adolpus ? He drop
ped in at the Drug Store to get CT
gar-a five-center. He strikes a
match, and while he is inhaling it's
sulphur, that bell is heard. o, what
agony-the bell brings the thought
of death and the sulphur the thought
of-H-amlet's Ghost.
He is overwhelmed, and, going to
the Soda Fountain, orders a glass
with plenty of Centennial Syrup"
After getting Glove to chew, he
seeks his "Ophelia," and will actual
| ly laugh at death--never caring
where they'll die when they go too.
O, children Of Sin! O-owl O-ow!--
O-owl
Ii this punishment is to be visited
upon us, why not make thorough
work of it? Let all the bells be toll
ed; let us wear long black clothes,
and employ ten town-criers to shout:
prepare to die Prepare to die !n-
AT night, let everybody assemble in
mass-meeting, and at signal from
the President, give a long wail-a
loud wall, and wall altogether; and
if we don't have a fat Cemetery in a
few weeks, you may sell my hustle.
In the meantime, with smile and
a grin, and a stroke of the chin, we'll
look as cheerfully as possible at the
dark side keep raw cotton in our
ears, and if the worst comes to worst
and there's no redress
Well pack our best and go out West,
Three thousand miles away.
MELINDA.