Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-03-13

Soon another handkerchief was ap-
piled to olwipe the perspiration from my
face, with the exclamation, "Did you ever
see corpse sweat 80 ?"
"The relatives Of the deceased will now
be permitted to take their last look at the
corpse" said solemn voice; and the
chorus of sobs that greeted my ears
warned me that. unless some miracle in
terposed, had but few minutes more to
live.
The mourners, as they stood weeping
around the coffin, could not have felt
more keenly the pangs Of sgrief at our
separation than !; did. as | struggled to
smile and frown alternately, until the per-
spiration came and stood again upon my
brow, and was wiped carefully away by
some kind hand.
Long land tenderly my loving wife bent
over me, while the scalding tears fell
thick upon my face. Atlength the solemn
voice informed her that she must go away,
as it was already growing late. | knew
by the sound of the footsteps that but very
few were remaining in the neighborhood
of my coffin, and that perhaps not
more than a moment would be allotted
me to live. | struggled desperately for
the last time. The perspiration rolled
down my cheeks in great drops; but that
h.
had already adjusted the coAin-lid,
when
You will please leave this part Of the
ceremony to me-" put in tht, well-known
voice of DR.. Lewis.
Il do not comprehend your meaning"
said the solemn voice.
Il mean simply that myself and DR..
Sims here have the best Of reasons for de-
tanning you in this part of the ceremony"
The poSsessor of the solemn voice, evil
dently thinking that the doctors were
looking upa job of dissecting, again set
about adjusting the lid of the coffin, as he
remarked that he believed it was not the
wishes of the family; besides it was grow
ing late. and
Remove the lid Of that coffin shouted
the hoarse voice of DR.. Lewis, cor you will
have reason to repent part of your con-
duct before the police-court, this very
afternoon :"
The cofFin-lid was again removed, .
vial of cordial was inserted between my
teeth, my chest and lungs were bathed in
powerful mixture, and-oh, joy Il
breathed; my eyes presently opened, and
in few moments | had strength to
speak. The graye-clothes were partly re-
moved from my person, and arose, and
set mp in my coffin.
shall never forget the looks ~ min
gled astonishment, horror, and joy that
were written upon the countenances of the
hundreds assembled around me; some Of
the more delicate of whom had half q
mind TO swoon, but We're prevented by the
reassuring remarks of DR.. Lewis. who ex-
planned 10 them that had not been dead
at all. but was merely psralyzed. | will
not attempt to describe the joy of my
wife, when she saw me again alive. and
very likely, as the doctor informed her, to
recover my health entirely, and live many
years to come. She has always persisted
in believing my miraculous tresurrection
to he an answer TO her prayer, and-well,
after all, do not like to dispute with her,
for Providence may have had something to
do witfft.
will add here that Mr.. Thomas Hawkins
never remembered 10 send round that
small account of upwards of two thou
sand dollars" and have never mentioned
the matter to any one.
But never attend funeral, and look
down into the opened coffin without Won
dering if the corpse is not guilty (as my
self was once) of personally attending his
own funeral"