Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-18

A HerVant OF God Called 20 a
Death Bed Of shame, MeIts the
Inmates of the Place 10 Tears.
Confessional. Is.

There is nothing more impressive or
awe-inspiring than toa death bed scene
among the fallen, especially when it is
accompanied By q repentance. An
incident ofthis kind occurred on San
day night in one Of the dives on Lsfay-
cite street, where q scene was
witnessed, the Ike OF which the street
had never known before. About four
months ago q woman named Lou
Beeoher, who had been e resident OF
the square for years, and was consid-
cred as almost totally deprayed,
yielded to consumption, which had
been silently working on her for years.
She was confined TO her bed.
With that recklessness whish is
always attendant upon such cases, she
fought the disease for a time with her
strength alone, aud would call in no
medical assistance. The consequence
was that she sank rapidly, and q week
ago il was evident that her end was
rapidly drawing near. 1t was when
this fact became evident that she began
to think Of her spiritual condition and
asked those around her to call in a
minister. But little attention was
paid to the request, however, until
late Sunday night, when she began to
sink rapidly, and her e~ntreaties came
to the earof some outside person, who
proceeded at once to the resi-
dence Of Rev. j. S. Detweiler, with
the woman's request.
1t was then nearly II o'clock, and
the minister. accompanied by a
Courier>Journa reporter, was soon on
the way to the bedside Of the dying
woman.
TIE house where she lived was No
81, n ofthe worst on the street, and
one which some time ago witnessed a
very startling death. The woman
who answered the door bell seemed
thunderstruck when it was announced
who the visitors were, and led the way
up a rickety fight of stairs in silence,
and into a small room at the end Of
the hall.
AT the far corner, under the win
dow, the bed was placed, and on it lay
the dying penitent, surrounded By
some of the inmates of the house. She
was apparently about thirty five years
old, and bore evidences Of at one time
having been fair looking, but her face,
distorted and wasted away with suf-
fering. the sunken cheeks, protsuding
eyes and grinning mouth had a most
repulsive appearance. She was lying
with her hands stretched above her
head, her eyes rolling wildly around
and apparently unconscious Of ali that
was going on around. When one Of
the women leaned over and whis-
pered to her who her visitor was, she
gave vent to an expression Of relief,
mingled with one OF wonder that q
minister should visit her in such a
place.
He took a seat beside the bed and
began talking to her, while the motley
crowd gathered close around to catch
every word which fell from his lips
The sick woman, who showed in every
feature that her hours we're but few,
put on an entirely new appearance.
She turned her face toward the speak
ca and, by a muttered ejaculation or a
nod Of the head, showed that every
word was understood and the meaning
taken. For halt an hour be talked to
her Of things she probably never heard
before, and taking the Bible read 3
number Of passages, particularly those
applying to such q case as this, and
fully explained them to her.
During this time there was not q
word spoken or a loud breath drawn,
and when at length he closed the book
a1d knelt in prayer, there was in
the room
NOT A KNEE UNBENT,
nor a head unbowed. The scene was
one that is seldom witnessed in a
lifetime in a place like that. The
prayer was q long and fervent one.
directly applied to the surroundings.
and when, in conclusion, be made an
appeal for the blessing of God to
descend on all in the room, there was
scarcely a cheek that was not wet with
tears.
During the whole time there was
one Eoman in the room who lay
across the bed, with Ler face pressed
close to the dying woman's face, and
her hand gently stroking the hair
from the forehead. She appeared
totally different from the rest, and a
glance was sufficient to reveal the fact
that she was not an inmate Of the
mouse or accustomed 10 such sur
roundings. This was so evident that
an inquiry was made, which revealed
the fact that she was a cousin Of the
sick woman, and living at home with
her family. She had only been in
formed a few hours before that her
cousin was dying. and Immediately
cast aside all regard for herself and
went to the bedside to minister TO her
wants.
The visit seemed to have made a
deep impression on the woman, aud
after receiving a promise that the
visit would be repeated she seemed
content. All the women in the room
followed the minister to the door,
and repeated the invitation that he
would come and pray at the bedside
once more.
Lou Beecher's history seems sur
rounded by a mystery, aud, although
she has relatives in good circum.
stances in the city, as is natural.
they do not mention her, and she was
always careful never to mention
them. II is understood that her
father is living in a distant city, and
IS on his way here now. When be
arrives, II she is alive, she will proba.
bly, be removed.
How Harris Was Nominated.