The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-11-04
In Artieulo mOrtIs-Some Remarkable
Death-Bed scenes--HIen I'm Their Last
Moments. tve -qf.1-s =

Death-Bed scenes--NIen I'm Their Last
Moments. Te r4sss Il
A prominent officials or rather manwhol
had cnce been prominent, passed out of this
life the other day. The physiciau who at
tended him, in describing the painful scenes
attendant upon his death-bed, saId 81 have
witnessed in the long experience of my life
many deaths, but the great mystery of death
only grows upon me as the years advance
He then went on to talk of how the average
man meets death. He said that in the ma
jority OF cases, where men dying have ply
sicians In attendance, they pass out of life
without being conscious OF the change.
They are stupetied by narcotics given them
To dull pain, and die the death Of brutes,
as this physician says, instead Of like men.
This medical authority has an idea that the \
first moment death comes like the period of
dropping or to steep, the sleeper not know
ing when il comes. lie has often expert
meDted with HANDKERCHIEF to see il he
could ascertain the exact period when he
would fall asleep. This he would attempt
Ia do by lying down with ahandkereheifin
his hand, trusting thai when the moment
CAME the relaxation of his hHnd in dropping
the handkerchief would tell the exact mo-
ment when he lost consciousness. But he
always failed in the experiment..
In speaking upon this subject of death be
described most remarkable dGath-bed
scene which he Witnessed upon the out
skirts Of Washington.
The hero of this occasion was poor
Frenchman, who worked as an ostler for a
small in-keeper, who kept house where
hucksters and countrymen found a simple
fare and low prices TO suit them. This
Frenchman lived int very small house near
the inn. He was married, and with an in
come of fifteen dollars a month he and his
wife managed to live in what they con-
sidered comfort. He had, however, the use
of small patch of land, the products of
which enabled him to exc out his very mod
crate income. The time came after several
years Of bis human, that the husband could
no more 60 to his work. A disease of the
kidneys long neglected, seized upon him
with a savage hold, so that in few short
days death came very near. The physician
that was called was surprised to find this
poor man possessing culture far above the.
ordinary. The French ostler, working for
the humble pittance of fifteen dollars
month, hsd in his library we'll thumbed
works Of tho best French writers. Racine,
eornille, Moliere, Balzac and Valtaire were
the daily companions Of this humble for
eigner. =
The physician soon saw there was no room
for his art here, that death could not be
averted but he did not mention this to the
sick man. He gave him a potion to make
HIM sleep, and for the time being left to the
care Of his young wife, who nursed her hus-
band as tenderly as il he was child and
not full grown man.
A nr afr fhr frok ~all fba nh 81
clan visited the Frenchman's little house 10
the evening. 1t was late in the fall, and
the cool nights had caused the wife to build
cheerful wood fire in the open fireplace in
the main room of the house. The French
man was found sitting in a large easS-chair
in front Of the FIRE. His countenance had
upon it an unusual lively expression. He
playfully called his wife Maria to him, as he
chatted with the physician, and even made
her sit upon his lap, although such an exer-
ton made him tremble like a leaf. After
an hours chat upon many matters, during
which the Frenchman never appeared men
tally clearer, OF more to an advantage, he
suddenly checked the talk by saying: MY
time has come. win you please help me to
the bedf"
The physician. FASTENED to his aid and
gently led the man to the bed. The dying
man placed himself tquarely upon il, look.
ing straight before him as be called his wife
20 HIM.
s.Good-bye, doctor; shall be of in q
moment, said he, In a strong, clear voice,
as he took his wife in his arms. .sPooI
little Maria, added he, in cheerful voice.
II do believe you are crying. You are
young and pretty. Yon viii hnd some one
TO care for YOU when your old man is gone.
Here he took his wife's face between hi
two trembling hands and kissed her repeat
eddy.
Then he murmured s'adieu, and quickl,
- rsroir.n rs he gave her a final kiss.
AZ once he became rigid aud exclaimed
in loud voice. s-Sland back, an My fathe
before me 1T Waterloo died with his face q
the enemy. l too will face the great enemy
Daathr'
He raised his head boldly and looke'
straight ahead, with the houyant look of
man who knows not fear, and with hi
noble look Of courage upon his lace D
passed away
AS class the physicians think that pei
pie Of culture meet death more firmly the
the illiterate ones. Those Of higher mind
have Invariably canyassed the subject I
death, and il never comes 10 them With q
the terrors that Il does TO people Of lowe
grade OF intellect The exception to th
ara the cases Of brutes executed for Il
commission Of some crime. The majorii
o. these die calmly, bat Il Is the cxcitemel
Of the situation aud the presence OF mar
spectators that keeps them up. Il Is also
secret practice IN most penitentiaTics
furnish prisoners who arc 10 be hung with ,
inordinate quantity Of stimplants. 50 thl
they are rarely, II ever. IN = normal conc
ton when they stand iace 70 face With dea