The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-03-14

less rs IL tne seal oi uedln uau lnueen
been upon them. Heavenly Father! was
this indeed death had my life really de.
parted forever from the body? aad did
my consciousness truly belong to the
mysteries of another world?
"Henry," said my mother to my hus-
hand, gently taking him bY the arm,
"had you not better retire into another
apartment We can no longer do any
good here, and the sight Of poor Mary
Is too great a trial for YOU"
With deep, heavy groan, he suffered
her to lead him away and then she came
back and led off the children, both cry.
ing and sobbing fearfully.
After this the old black nurse came
up and closed my eyes, by carefully
pressing down the lids with ber fingers !;
and then, somehow, see ned gradually
t0 lose consciousness, as if sinking in
to calm, deep sleep
For time there was low, confused
sound, as of persons moving about and
talking at great distance-and once or
twice fancied myself being lifted and
turned-snd then all seemed to close up
in calm and sweet oblivion.
NY next remembered sensation is Of
being in some close, cor fined place, where
all was dark and still. At first ] could
not recall what had hap yet q, nor. im.1
agine where / was; hut By degrees the
scene of my supposed death came back
to me, and then fearful horror thrilled
me at the thought that might already
be in MY coffin and perhaps buried alive !!
Oh, heaven the agony OF that thought! |!
what language can describe it2 / tried
to speak, but my lips were sealed; l
tried to turn, 70 raise my hand, but not
a muscle could I stir; / tried to open
my eyes, but the lids we're fast; l lis
tened intently. but not sound broke the
awful silence My soul was alive though,
and mentally prayed:
ooh, my God, deliver me! Ch, msr
ciful God, deliver me-"
Some time after this, as II in answer
to my prayer, l heard the sound of NOV
ing feet, as if some one were stepping
slowly, solemnly, and lightly across a
floor. The steps drew nearer and nearer,
ard seemed to halt beside me. Then
there was 8. slight noise, as of something
being moved above my head, and SEN
sation as of light shining suddenly out
of darkness upon closed eyelids. This
was followed by the sound of long,
deep sigh, ending in suppressed and
mournful groan, and then by a long,
heavy pressure of the human lips upon
my own. Oh, the unspeakable agony
OF not being able to respond to the de-
votion OF him who was more TO me than
life for my verv inmlst soul acknowl-
edged it TO be nv loving and beloved
husband who was with me, in the lone
watches of the night, mourning me as
| if gone forever from the realm of time
"Oh, my dear, dear Mary, why did
you leave me thus2' he said, in low,
tremulous, sobbing tone: "why did you
leave me thus, to struggle on alone in
the wortl tnat will henceforth he dark
and dreary one to me2 Oh. God, why
could she not have been spared to me
and to her children, little longer? Oh
merciful God! know it is sinful in
me, poor mortal, tn Iepine at Th,
wise decree! and therefore I beseect
Thee to give me strength to bear up un
der this grest affection! Oh, Heavenly
Father! support and sustain me, that
be not utterly crushed with the weigh
of this great sorrow!'
These words / heard and felt through
all my being, and yet could not move
could not respond. Was the misery o.
Tautalus equal to mineP
I Again I felt the warm, holy pressure
of my husbands lips upon mine; and Al
he drew back, with another heavy groan
I heard him murmur:
"Oh, how beautiful is nay dear Mary
even in death! How like is her dealt
to calm and peaceful sleepi Ha
what do behold 2 moisture upon thos
lips! and color upon those cheeks +
Gracious God! perhaps she is no
deadw
He rushed from the room, and for tn
first tune my soul trembled with hope
Might l not be saved OF lastp
| In minute I heard quick steps re
! turning, and the voices Of my mothe
and husband speaking excitedly.
"There! thete!" be exclaimed, as b
came up to my side: "Look! look !
is that death p
"It seems like life--it really seem
like life!" exclaimed my mother, in
wild, agitated tone "Oh, Heaven!
it should be! if it should bel But d
e not hope too much, Henry--do not HOY
too much lit may be cruel deceptio
after ALI"
Y "Quickw he cried; ''let us take h'
J from the coffin. roll her In blankets, ri
her, and try every restorative! Quicl
y your spirits Of hartshorn !--quick +
|. quick !"
o A moment after, shock seemed
pass through my system--my eye; u