The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-20
AlteqdiQg oqe's own Funeral

Twas lying dangerously i'll, and aware
that those around me supposed me to be
verging upon the very point of death. All
at once l felt something giving way, and l
was lost in perfect Inconsistencies.
How long l remained in that state l
cannot tell; but think it must have been
about two hours. When l regained my
powers of mind, l could distinctly hear
the sobbing of my friends around me, and
perceived that had been "laid out" and
my limbs were fastened to the board that
was used for that purpose. l had been
arrayed in neat white shroud, and was at
that moment entirely overspread with o
winding sheet.
AS l have said, had entirely regained
my powers of mind, and tried to move
to speak, but it was quite in vain; / could
not move so much as finger; My tongue
cleaved to the roof of my mouth, and
could not be made to produce the slightest
sound. | was able to 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, then?"
"Well, he appeared to be very much
surprised at first, and said he had no idea
the poor man would drop off so soon, but
that he was glad that had saved him a
journey out 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
to restore my lethargic system to its
wonted animation.
was lying in small bedroom adjoin-
ing the principal apartment of the house;
and as 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, l recognized Mrs. Jameson, a
neighbor whose services were usually in
great demand at time of death. | also
recognized the voice of Ralph Stetson, the
undertaken, and knew that I was to be
measured for coffin.
As the sheet was turned down and the
cloth removed from my face, felt that
the golden opportunity had arrived, and
made desperate attempt to move some,
thing, an eyelid, finger, or toe, but al
in vain. Still, l had strong hope
that those two characters, SO much accus
toned to death ii all its forms anG
phases, would detect something unusua
in my appearance which might lead to ;
deliverance.
ooh, how natural Did you ever see 1
corpse look so natural" exclaimed Mrs
Jameson, in loud whisper.
''Hum he does look natural; the ex
preston is happy, too! l trust he is bet
ter off than wei" said the hypocritica
undertaken.
"He was such good, kind man. too /!
mused Mrs. Jameson; always ready t.
accommodate every one. It's really to-
bad he should have left his business in
,, solvent
} The undertaken paused.
: "Insolvent How2"
"Why, haven't you heard that Thoma
Hawkins, the grocer, has trumped u
notes and one thing and another, to th
amount of over two thousand dollars, t.
be brought against the estate, when non
, of us supposed that the poor man her
, owed five hundred dollars, all told. l
, will leave Mrs. Stebbins quite destitute
: indeed"
"Well, no; I had not heard of it. Whe
did he bring that upI should think tina
was rather premature"
; Why, only yesterday morning, while
was at the store, he inquired after tn
health of Joe Stebbins; and when tol
him that he wasn't expected to live the da
out, he said he must be looking into tn
i property left to satisfy his demands. H
t said that Stebbins owed him upwards G
: two thousand dollars"
!. Indeed! Well, if that is the case,
Y must be looking up my own accounts wit
the family" said the undertaken.
, could indistinctly feel the cold We
cloth as it was again wrung out an
placed upon my face; the sheet was agai
spread over me, and was left to my ow
t reflections for time.
!. "InSoluent" what base falsehood!
was indebted to Mr.. Thomas Hawkins jus
! one hundred and fifty-one dollars an
!. twenty nine cents, not cent more nor les