Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1878-06-27
TEE DEAD ALIVE.

Hundreds of stories are related of
the horrible deeds Of the body
snatchers, but among them all none
is more remarkable and soul har-
rowing than the one just about to be
narrated. The facts were given to
the writer recently, and it is believed
that they are now published fer the
first time.
In the town of Kilmare, in the
north of Ireland, reside many fami-
lies of distinction. The head of one
of these was Mr.. Bell, a young
gentleman of twenty-five. tle in-
herited large estate from his uncle
and soon afterward removed from
his former abode to take possession
of the family mansion in kilmare.
lie married the only child of veal
thy East India merchant residing at
Liverpool, by whom he had two
children. In the fourth year of their
welded life MIS-. Bell was taken
suddenly i'll, and expired the next
day. The symptoms were GA pc
culiar nature, and the limbs so in
creased in size Immediately after
death that a magnificent diamond
ring of great value could not be re-
moved from the lady's finger, and
was buried with her. OF course,
this fact was we'll known to the in
habitants of Kilmare, as Mrs. Bell
was the wife of the IN 1st considera-
BILE IN there about, an1 naturally
therefore, all concerning her was
matter of conversation and rumor.
The old churchyard of Kilmale
stood on the side of hill, and i'm
mediately in the rear of the church
and adjoining the chan;el was the
tomb of the Bell family. Here, in
accordance with imnsmorablo u.s.
aye, the body Of the deceased lady
was to repose, and there it was de-
posted on the third day after her de
mise. After the ceremony the key
of the vault was put in its usual
place by the sexton in the yestry of
he church.
The day had been gloomy and as
night drew on, a thin rain fell
which increased in about midnight
20 smart shower. Mr.. Bell who
was about retiring, went to an open
window, and as he did so, fancied he
saw a white figure crossing the lawn
in front of the house. The next
moment it disappeared, and, satisfy
ing himself that he was the subject
Of delusion, he commenced to un
dress. Suddenly the clear tones of
the door-bell rang through the b lid
ing. Mr.. Bill parsed and moved
toward the door of the apartment to
listen. In few seconds the sound
again reverberated through the
h luse, and Mr.. Bell oDened the
door and stepped out into the corri-
dor. at that moment, al he glanc-
ed down the stairway, he saw the
housekeeper moving toward the
front door. Then he heard her set
the lamp she carried on the table,
and open the lock and bolts of the
massive door. Then a dreadful and
prolonged shrek followed, and at
the same moment Mr.. Bell's butler
ran along the hall toward the front
door. Mr.. Bell had reached the
Lead of the stairs and was In the act
of descending when the butler reach
ed the spot where the housekeeper
liy on the floor apparently in a
swool. What was Mr.. Bells sur
prise to see the butler raise his
hands, fix his gaze upon the door,
and then sink to the floor as though
struck dead.
Utterly bewildered and coufound-
ed Mr.. Bell fastened down stairs.
The sight that met his gaze when he
reached the centre of the hall al.
most froze his blood. There stood
the ii cure of his wife in her grave
clothes, leaning against the pillar Of
the door, with one hand thrown
across her breast. For moment
Mr.. Bell was al uoSt overcome.
Then he remembered the wife fig
ure which he saw crossing the lawn
few seconds before the bell rang,
and another glance showed him that
the garments of the figure before
him were dripping with rain.
"Julia, my darling, my wife ~
Mr.. Bell exclaimed, and stepped to-
ward the figure.
1t made a movement toward him,
and the next instant it was EMBODIED
in his arms. The scene that ensued
baffi IS all description. It was in
deed the wife but that day buried,
who was restored to the arms of the
bereaved husband and children.
The explanation which she offered
was very imperfect and unsatisfAct-
orY. For short time after her
supposed death she was aware of all
khnt ,ro,nt on around har hr,t hofnro