Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1879-01-02
The Dead Alive.
Unexpected Result of RifiIng a
Family Vault-A BOdy-snatch-
er's Secret.

er's Secret.
This present excitement ovel
the resurrection business gives
the following thrilling story par
ticular interest:
In the town of Kilmare, to the
north of Ireland, reside many
families of distinction. The
head Of one of these was a Mr.,
Bell, a gentleman of twenty
five. He married the only child
Of wealthy East India mer-
chant residing in Liverpool, by
whom he had two children. In
the fourth year of their welded
life Mrs. Bell was taken sud-
denly i'll, and expired the next
day.
The old churchyard of XII
mare stood ON the side of a hill,
and Immediately in the rear of
the church and adjoining the
chancel was the tomb of the Bell
family. Here, in accordance
with immemorial usage; the body
of the deceased lady was to re-
pose, and there it was deposited
on the third day after her demise.
After the ceremony the key was
put in its usual place by the SEX
ton, in the vestry of the church.
The day had been gloomy, and
as night drew on a thin rain fell,
which increased at about mid
night to a smart shower. Mr..
Bell was about retiring, when
the clear tones of the door-bell
rang through the building. Mr..
Bell opened the door and step
ped out into the corridor. At
that moment he glanced down
the stairway, and saw the house
keeper moving toward the door.
Then dreadful and prolonged
shrek followed, and at the same
moment Mr.. Bells butler ran a.
long the hall to the front door.
Mr.. Bell had reached the head
Of the stairs and was in the act
Of descending when the butler
reached the spot where the house.
keeper lay on the floor apparent
ly in a swoon. What was Mr..
Bells surprise to see the butler
raise his hands, fix his gaze up
on the door, and then sink to the
floor as though struck dead.
Utterly bewildered and con-
founded Mr.. Bell hastened down
stairs. The sight that met his
gaze when he reached the center
of the hall almost froze his blood.
There stood the figure of his wife
in her grave clothes, leaning a
gainst the pillar of the door, with
one Shand thrown across her
breast.
"Julia, my darling, my wife"
Mr.. Bell exclaimed, and stepped
toward the figure.
1t made a movement toward
him, and the next instant it was
enfolded in his arms. 1t was
indeed his wife, but that day bu-
ried, who was restored to the
arms of the bereaved husband1
and children. The explanation
which she offered was very I'M
perfect. For a short time after
her supposed death she was a
ware of all that went on around
her, but before she was placed
in the coffin she lost all conscious
ness. She said that the first SEN
sation of consciousness she had
was one of pain. Then she saw
an indistinct glimmer. With
effort she rose and saw
a woman standing by her side.
The woman shrieked and fled,
and then Mrs. Bell discovered
that she was lying in a coffin in
the family vault. Fresh strength
came to her every moment, and
releasing herself from her shroud
she stepped to the ground and
passed out of the vault, the door
Of which was wide open. Down
the churchyard path she passed
to the main street, along which
she walked for half a mile, until
she reached her late home. For
the large gate to the
park was unfastened, and she
FASTENED up the roadway to the
dwelling.
The result has been told. She
regained her health, and
lived to good old age.
Next day the lamp was found 4