Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-03-13
Attending Ope'S own Funeral.

was lying dangerously Ill, ana aware
that those around me supposed me to be
serging upon the very point of death. All
at once felt something giving way, and |
was lost in perfect Inconsistencies.
How long remained in that state |
cannot tell; but think it must have been
about two hours. When l regained my
powers Of mind. could distinctly hear
the sobbing a my friends around me, and
perceived that | had been ''lSd out" and
my limbs were fastened TO the board that
was used for that purpose, had been
srrayed in neat white shroud, and was at
that moment entirely oyerpread with 8
windng-sheet.
As have said. had entirely regained
my powers of mind. and | tried to move,
10 speak. but il Was quite in vain; l could
not move 50 much as finger; My tongue
eleaved TO the roof of my mouth. and
could not be made TO produce the slightest
sound. | was able 10 understand every
thing around me; the whispered word, the
sob, the soft footStep, and even the tick
ing of the clock upon the mantel
Presently the door opened and shut;
some one had entered.
"Did YOU See the doctor. TOm?'
"Yes; met him at his own door, and
told him he need not come again, as the
patient was no more"
"what did he say, theng'
"well. he appeared 20 be very much
surprised 10 first, and said he had no idea
the pOcr man would drop off So son, but
that he was glad that had saved him a
journey ont here, as he was very busy"
This was very unwelcome news to me,
for felt sure that if the doctor could only
see me he would understand how matters
really were, and would give me something
10 restore my lethArgic system to its
wonted animation.
| was lying in a small bedroom adjoin-
ing the principal apartment Of the house;
and a. the door was left continually ajar,
| could hear everything that transpired.
| soon heard the tramping Of several per
sons in my room. and understood that
they were approaching my bedside. From
the voices. recognized Mrs. jameson, a
ueighhor whose services We're usually in
great demand al 4 time Of death. ! also
recognized the voice Of Ralph Stetson, the
undertaken. and knew that | was TO be
measured for 4 coffin.
As the sheet Mas turned down and the
doth removed from my face. | felt that
the golden opportunity had arrived. and
made desperate attempt 10 move some
thing. an eyelid, finger. or toe, but all
in vain. Still, l had strong hope
that those two characters, SO much aecus-
toned TO death in all its forms and
phases, would detect something unusual
in my appearance which might lead to s
deliverance.
"Oh, how natural Did you ever see q
corpse look 50 natural" ?" exclaimed Mrs,
Jameson, in loud whisper.
Hum! he does look natural; the eI-
preston is happy. too' trust he is bet
ter of than wer said the hypocritical
undertaken.
"He was such good, kind man, too ~
mused Mrs. Jamesonj "always ready TO
accommodate every one. It's really too
bad he should have left his business in
solvent
The undertaken paused.
"Insolyent HowS"
.'Why, haven't you heard that Thomas
Hawkins, the grocer. has trumped up
notes and one thing and another, TO the
amount of over two thousand dollars, 10
be brought against the estate, when none
Of Us supposed that the poor man here
owed five hundred dollars, all told. 1t
will leave Mrs. Stebbins quite destitute,
indeed"
''well, no; had not heard of it. When
did he bring thst up l should think that
was rather premature"
why. only yesterday morning, while |
was at the store, he inquired after the
health of Joe .Stebbins; and when | told
him that he wasn't expected to live the day
out, he said he must be looking into the
property left to satisfy his demands. He
said that Stebbins owed him upwards of
two thousand dollars"
Indeed! Well, if that is the case, /
must be looking up my own accounts with
the family" said the undertaken.
could indistinctly feel the cold wet
cloth as it was again wrung out and
placed upon my face; the sheet was again
spread o<er ME, and was left to my own
reflections for time.
"IaSolUestF' what base falsehoodl l
was indebted to Mr.. Thomas Hawkins just
one hundred and ffty-one dollars and
| twenty-nine cents, not cent more norless;
and here was that rascal claiming up
wards Of two thousand dollars Of my poor,
defeneeless family. Why, it was enough
10 make one rave. To all my other ineen-
tives to betray my existence was added
this-and confess il was the strongest OF
ALTO protect my family from this lying
| thief, who would willingly strip them Of