Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-02-04
DEAD.ALIvEMA MAN IN HAGERS.
TOWN.

HAeERsrowN, January 2l.-An in
cident is related in the experience OF
clergyman here which suggests strongly
some of the wierd sketches of Poe. The
only difference is that this is true,
plain recital OF what actually occurred.
Amongst the flock OF the minister re-
ierred 10 was family OF foreigners, and
the father of the family was stricken
with fatal illness. One night the pas
tor received message summoniug him
Immediately to the bed side OF the sick
man, the messenger stating that "he
was dying" Some lime elapsed before
the arrival at the scene, where the at
tending physician was found surround
ed by the sobbing and shrieking family.
To his great regret the doctor informed
the minister that he was too late; that
the sufferer bad died l5 or 20 minutes
previously. And, in fact, there on the
bed lay the stark and rigid form OF the
departed, the lower jaw fallen, the ashy
pallor of death on the face, aud the
body sliff,ned with the risor morris.
With the demonstraliveness OF their ma
ton the family gave full sway TO their
feelings, making no effort at self control.
y son, in particular, was more demon.
s,rative and iuconsolable than any OF
the rest lie called on his father, begged
him TO come back, and with difficulty
could be kept away from the body.
Hoping TO comfort the griefstrlcken
family by spiritual consolation and sym
pathetic conversation, the clegyman re-
manned on the scene until near 2 O'Clock
in the morning.
At this time, when the pastor was
thinking of leaving, the son, who seem
ed 10 take the death so much 10 heart.
seized with another paroxysm OF greet
more violent than any preceding II. lie
tore himself from those who sought to
restrain him, threw himself on the body
of his father embraced him, called him,
bathed the cold face with tears, shrek
ing that he could not let him 60; that
he must say one word, look at him inst
once more; that he must not leave him
without Just one more word aud one
more lock. AS il the agonized voice
had penetrated the silence of the other
world and had reached the "dull, cold
ear OF DEATH the lips OF the father
moved, the eyes opened and cast sal,
reproachful look on the weeping son,
and in the wellknown voice came dis
licutly these words "Oh! why did you
bring me backf" As soon as the awe
stricken groIp could regain their pres
ence OF mind, after this appalling scene,
they Immediately administered rrstora'
tiyes 10 the patient, when the minister
left hin, very weak but still alive.
He was sent for by the father the
next day, who gave him an account OF
his death (as he evidently believed 1t
had been) and his experience to the time
when be was apparently recalled TO lite.
lie said: "When | died | first felt q
sinking, going sensation. knew every,
thing going on in the room, but could
not speak or move my lips-then oil
was blank. The next thing remem-
Der was being in dense darkness,
seemingly 10 tunnel through which
was being pushed; there seemed TO be
two forms, one on each side, pushing
me along through the tunnel aud ap-
peared 10 move as If | was floating,
touching nothing above or below. At
last it appeared to get lighter,as though
we were nearing the end OF the passage.
1t grew brighter every moment, aud
then | seemed 10 observe two shining
beautiful forms on each side OF me. At
last we seemed TO float out into love
ly space Of rose brightness, like the sky
of summer sunrise. had a feeling OF
perfect peace and well being, and heard
as though il were part OF the space
foated in the most soothing and de-
lghtful music rememberit afterward
took the sound Of an old familiar hymn
| used 10 bear 10 my native land.
have been q great sufferer, and the feel
ing OF rest aud freedom from pain was
the thing / noticed most 10 my new
state. | remained short time ia this
blessed state, when il seemed to be die.
turbed by a voice in plain calling me.
! telt thrill of regret and then all be-
came black, and seemed to be back in
the old paiu-sacked body agaiu, and
opened my eyes to find my sou and fam
lily crying and calling on me to come
back. If they had known how much
better / was they would never have
wanted me back in this weak and suf-
fering body" The man lived several
days aud then died, as his family SIM
cerely believe, q second time, and re-
membering his solemn words as to his
FIST experience, did not call him back.
Whether the man was in syDcope
from which the piercing lamentations
OF the family aroused bin, OF whether
he had indeed been permitted 10 return
after glance at the glories Of the great
unknown none can answer. But one
thing is certain, that for tho space Of
several hours, to all intenis and pur-
poses, so far ss the doctor, the pastor
and the family were concerned, and 90
far as all out ward indications sre guide,
the man was dead.
One of the best dairymeh in Vermont
says: IL have come TO the conclusion,
after seven years experience 10 the feed
ing Of mea! every day to sucb ofmy COWS.
as were giving milk, that in the future
would feed more meal instead Of less. l
believe that when the cows have been
properly selected, and are OF breed
that are reliable as TO butter quslities,it
amounts 10 certainty that all We feed
them above what is required to Sustain
their bodies W II be returned TO as in
hnffer with a Iarne r,rn6t ON iha invesf-