The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-10-11
LIFE AFrkn DEATH.

/
A correspondent records tho death OIL
II consunptlvc whose case was hopeless
though there was no appearance Of the
end being very near, who was in full pos
session Of his senses, able 10 talk with q
strong voice and not in tho least drowsy!
"While we were talkipg quietly together
no became silent md fixed his eyes on
one particular spot Ia tho room, which
was entirely vacant, even Of furniture; ut
tho same time Il look Of the greatest de.
light changed tho whole expression OF
his face, aud after moment OF what
seemed TO DO intense scrutiny Of some Oh.
ject, invisible to me, he said 10 me in 4
joyous tone, there Is JIM Jim was lit.
liz son whom he had lost the year before
and whom had known well, but the dy.
Ing man had a son still living named John
for whom We had sent, and l concluded it
WIS Of John that he was speaking and he
thought no heard him arriving, so an.
swcred, 'No, John has not been able to
come The man turned TO me impatien,ly
and Baid: 4 do not mean John-l know he
Is not herc-iti Is Jimmy little lame Jim.
Surely You remember him. 'Ycs,' said,
4 remember dear little Jim, who died last
year, quite WELL Don't you SEQ him
there? There he is,' said the man, pointing
to tho vacant space on which his eyes
were fixed, and when | did not answer
he repeated almost fretfully, Don't you sec
him standing there?' l answered him that
| could not see him, though | felt perfectly
convinced thut something vas visible to
the sick man which could not perceive.
When gave him this answer he seemed
quite amazed, and turned round to look ut
mo with glare almost OF indignation. As
his eyes met mine saw that u film seemed
to pass over them; the light Of intelligence
passed away; he gave gentle sigh and ex.
pired. He did not live five minutes from
the time he first said, There is jim A.
though there had been no sign OF ap-
preaching death previous to that moment"
Another case is that OF q refined and
highly educated boy Of II, who died Of de.
cline, being perfectly intelligent and desir-
ing the unknown life 10 which he believed
he was fastening. Death came 10 him at
sunset, suddenly, as he turned away from
contemplation Of the scene without to gaze
at the wall. with wide opened eyes and
look Of perfect ccstacy. His mother asked
il what he saw WIS some wonderful sight
beyond the confines OF this world 10 give
her token by pressing her hand, as he
was specchless, and he 1T once took her
hand and pressed it mcanin.ly. A third
case was that OF the brother Of cor
respondent, IN elderly man, dying OF
an incurable and painful disease,
which, however, did not obscure his fac.
ulties. Upon him death came unexpected
ly. 1t had been uncertain for some hours
whether he was alive or dead, but the en-.
ger, rap gaze Of wonder and Joy came Just
rs with one long breath the spirit departed.
Still another case was that OF "a man OF
high Intellectual distinction, well known
in the world Of letters" who, when dying
peacefully, us became the close OF pro.
louudly religious life, was observed by his
daughter suddenly to look up, as ii at some
spectacle invisible to those around, with an
expression Of solemn surprise and awe
very characteristic OF his hubitual frame Of
mind, the end coming before the look had
had time to falter or change. In yet an
other ease 30 bright a light seemed
suddenly to shine from the face Of 4 dying
man that "the Clergyman and another
friend who were with him actually turned
simultaneously to the window to seek Tor
the cause" "a dying lady, exhibiting the
same aspect Of joyful surprise. spoke Of Soc
Ing, one after another, three OF her BROTH
crs who had long been dead, then appar-
emily recognizing last OF all fourth
brother, who was believed by the bystand-
ers to be still living in India. Tho coup.
ling Of his name with those OF his dead
brothers excited such awe and horror in
the mind Of one OF the persons present that
she rushed from the room. In due cou SC
Of time letters were received announcing
the death Of the brother in India, which
had occurred some timo before his dying
sister seemed to recognize him." i,