The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-20

tempt, to movs-an eyelid, or a lip.
tried to smile, and was rewarded with the
compliment of ''What sweet smile
from sentimental schoolgirl.
Just then heard the well-known halt
ing footstep close beside the coffin, and
changed the smile into what was intended
for frown. So great was my endeavor
to signify that still lived, that the per-
spiration came out in great drops upon
my face.
"Lord a mercy, how he sweats" e1-
claimed an old lady, considerably, wiping
the moisture from my brow.
"Again thought I heard the halting
footstep, upon the other side of my coffin,
and took courage.
Soon another handkerchief was ap-
piled to wipe the perspiration from my
face, with the exclamation, "Did you ever
see corpse sweat SOP"
"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 grief at our
separation than did, as I 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 and 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 60 away,
as it was already growing late. I 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. i struggled desperately for
the last time. The perspiration rolled
down my cheeks in great drops; but that
was quite unnoticed, and the solemn voice
had already adjusted the cofin-lid,
when
"You will please leave this part of the
ceremony to me-" put in the well-known
voice of Dr. Lewis.
81 do not comprehend your meaning"
said the solemn voice.
81 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 up 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 coflin," shouted
the hoarse voice of Dr. Lewis, "or you will
have reason to repent part of your con-
duct before the police-court, this very
. afternoon
The cofin-lid was again removed, a
g., vial of cordial was inserted between my
teeth, my chest and lungs were bathed in
powerful mixture, and-oh, joy II
, breathed; my eyes presently opened, and
in few moments I had strength to
speak. The grave-clothes were partly re-
moved from my person, and l arose, and
sat up in my coffin.
7 shall never forget the looks of min
6 gled establishment, horror, and joy that
were written upon the countenances OF the
. hundreds assembled around me; some Of
: the more delicate of whom had half a
>, mind to swoon, but were prevented by the
;. reassuring remarks Of DR.. Lewis, who ex-
:. y planned to them that had not been dead
y at all, but was merely paralyzed. l 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
y In believing my miraculous resurrection
9 to be an answer to her prayer, and-well,
y after all, do not like to dispute with her,
for Providence may have had something to
u do with it.
3 l will add here that Mr.. Thomas Hawkins
}" never remembered to send round that
small account of upwards Of two thou.
" sand dollars" and have never mentioned
d the matter to any one.
u But never attend funeral, and looh
Ii down into the opened coffin without won
y dering if the corpse is not guilty (as my
6 self was once) of personally attending hi
own funeral"
y HOW a BRAKEMAN SAVED A
; LIFE.