Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-09-09

did not think it best to tell ner then
that knew of her visit. AT dawn she
fell asleep, and slumbered until nearly
noon.
She came to my side then, collected,
firm and helpful. Together we watched
with poor Raj until he died. He never
knew her, the darling sister whom he had
loved even in his madness; but for her
sake. / was thankful that he passed away
with less suffering than l had feared for
him.
When all was over she came to me with
a package of papers which she had found
in his private desk. Her dropping little
figure, which instantly wrung my heart,
| placed in an easy-chair, and then
opened the closely folded sheets and read
them aloud:
have but little time in which to act with
reason; let me take advantage of it. First,
Emma, forgive me for the pain which have
repeatedly put to you. My dear and only
sister, you know The curse is upon me, but
you do not know how long it has worked
within me. have struggled against fend-
ish thoughts for months, returning again to
reason and remorse, and with terror at what
l have escaped. Sometimes | think have
betrayed myself TO you and others, and you
only allow me liberty on sutferance. You
cannot do that long; yesterday the third
spasm overlook me; Emma, you witnessed
the symptom and know its meaning. know
that any hour now / may go mad. D God!
so young, SO hopeful have been, too. But
there is no hope for Pomfret. Thank
Heaven, Ihave no son to inherit the horror OF
my blood
My precious sister, the time is drawing
nigh when we must part. The gentleman
whom you know as Mr.. Richmond is q skill
full physician named Leroy. While under the
influence of my malady | brought him here
TO detect In you the signs of insanity. BE !:
gentlemsn--a man of bne feelings. IL he
offers to defend YOU when yoa are alone, my
poor Emma, trust him. To him | bequeath
my carriage and horses, my saddle-horse and
accoutrements. Our home Is yours, you
know, darling, by Inheritance. My moneys
and real estate yeu will find bequeathed u
you in my formal will made year ago.
Little sister, good.by. 1 know how good
you are--how you have suffered. 1t Is better
that should die, You win miss me, know
but the grass win grow green on my grave al
last, and the curse OF our race will hav
spent its power. You will not transmit 1t u
your children. You are our mothers child
and your blood is pure. You have nothing
to fear; you have only to be happy when an
gone.
II am violently insane for years place m,
in an asylum at my expense. | have arranged
for this contingency. But | have not grea
physical endurance; | do not think | shall
suffer long And then come rest and peace
Good.by, my darling sister; make me, at last
peaceful grave and come there sometimes
remembering me not as a lunatic but as thu
brother you played with In childhood, anC
who loved you with his last calm thought.
RALPH PoMfRET.
The epistle was dated on the very day
his fearful malady overlook him.
took the weeping girl in my arms.
Emma, he trusted; eannotyouf vii
you let me try to make you happy?"
She clung to me with sobbing breath
but felt that 1t was not physical weak
ness nor even desolation which made hel
mine. ] felt that she knew how loved
her for her goodness and purity-that sh'
recognized the integrity had striyen Il
maintain, and loved me in return.
Rails grave is peaceful. Willows shade
it, mignonette blooms upon it, bees buzz
above il, and the sunshine fingers longest
there upon the hilltops. We love 10 60
there and think the suffering Is past tor
him.
My darling Is happy. We have chill
dren and bright and beautiful home
The Pomfret skeleton has never intruded
among us.