The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1882-01-26

sion still remained; but for the features
all trace of flesh seemed to have van
ished; mere outline of bony structure
remained: mere pencilings and shadow
ings of what she once had been. This
is indeed, l exclaimed, dust to dust
ashes to ashesP
Macmillan, to the astOnishment of
everybody attended the funeral. 1t was
celebrated in the Cathedral. All made
way for him, and at times he seemed
collected; at times, he reeled like one
who was drunk. He heard as one who
hears not; he saw as one in a dream.
The whole ceremony went on by torch
light, and towards the close he stood
like pillar, mOtiOnleSS, torpid, frozen.
But the great burst of the choir, and
the mighty blare ascending from our
vast organ at the closing of the grave,
recalled him to himS, Ii, and he slrOde
rapidly home wards. Half an hour after
| returned, | was summoned to his bed
room. He was in bed, calm and col
lected. What he said 60 me remember
as if it had been yesterday, and the very
tone with which he said it, although
more than twenty years have passed
since then. He began thus: 81 have
not long to liVe;" and when he saw me
start, suddenly awakened into con-
sciouness that perhaps he had taken
poison, aud meant to intimate as much,
he cOntinued-"Yu fancy have taken
pOisOn;-n matter whether / have or
not; if / have, the pOisOn'is such that no
antidOtes will now avail; or, If they
would, you we'll know that some griefs
are of kind which leave no opening to
any hope. What difference, therefore,
can it make whether | leave this earth
to-day, tomorrow, OF the next day? Be
assured of this-that whatever | have
determined to do is past all power of
being affected by human opposition.
Occupy yourself not with any fruitless
attempts, but calmly listen to me, else
know what to do" Seeing a suppressed
fury in his eye, Notwithstanding that
saw also some change stealing over his
features as if from some subtle poison
beginning to work upon his frame, awe
struck consented to listen. and sat still.
ut is well that you do so, for my time
is short. Here is my will legally drawn
up, and you will see that have com
mitted an immense property to your dis
erection. Here, again, IS paper still
more important in my eyes; it is also
testamentary, and binds you to duties
which may not be so easy to execute as
the disposal of my property. But now
listen to something else which concerns
neither of these papers. Promise me, in
the first place, sOlemnly, that whenever
die you will see me buried in the same
grave as my wife, from whose funeral
we are just returned. Promise" |
promised. Swear" | 5wOre. FINALLY,
promise me that, when you read this
second paper which have put into your
hands, whatsoever you may think of it,
you will say nothing publish nothing
10 the world, until three years shall
have passed. | promised. "And now
farewell for three hours; come to me
again about ten o'clock and take a glass
of wine i'll memory Of old times" This
he said laughingly; but even then
dark spasm crossed his face. Yet, think
ing that this might be the mere work
ing mental anguish within him, COM
piled with his desire, and IT tired. Feel
ing, however, but little at ease, devised
an excuse for looking in upon him about
one hour and half after had left him.
| knocked gently at his door; there was
no answer. l knocked louder; still no
answer. l went in. The light of day
was gone and | could see nothing. But
was alarmed by the utter stiffness of |
the room. | listened earnestly, but not |
breath could be heard. | rushed back |
hastily into the hall for lamp; / re- |
turned; | looked in upon this marvel of |
manly beauty, and the first glance in !
formed me, that he and all his splendid |
endOWments had departed forever. He |
had died, probably, soon after left him, |
and had dismissed me from some grow
ing instinct which informed him that
his last agOnies were at hand.
Continued in our neXt)