Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-17
A TOMB IN A RING.
A Romance of Cremation.
Nea0 Orleans Times Democrat.

Nea0 Orleans Times Democrat.
Many years ago, when travelling was
performed by stage-coaches, a party were
crossing the Alleghanies, which contained
a gentleman to whom all were strangers,
and he unknown to them. He was silent,
almost pensiye, yet courteous, and his
whole appearance denoted culture and
polish.
Upon having occasion to remove his
gloves, ring of peculiar form, color and
size, was observed upon his left hand. He
was noticed to gaze upon it often, and
when he thought himself unseen, to press
it to his lips in a long, loving kiss. or
course the company felt curious concern
ing the ring, and whenever an OppOrtuni-
ty afforded each one would try to gain a
look at the singular ornament. But the
owner evidently considered his ring too
sacred to be gazed at by strangers, and
nothing could be learned concerning it.
During the day, however, another gen.
tleman was added to the company; be-
tween whom and the owner of the ring
the greetings of old and esteemed friends
were exchanged. The new conner was
laxative, and some of the silent gentle
mans reticence gave way before the ex-
IRENE sOciability of his friend. Fresh
spirit was instilled into the whole c0mpa-
ny, and soon conversation became as free
as though all had been acquainted through
life.
The old stage-coach was a place in
which one might form friendships and
chat freely. even in the darkness Of night,
GOODNESS, silence and suspicion found in
the modern railroad car.
The journey was long; some of the
travellers left at various points, and at last
the owner of the ring, on reaching the
city OF -, babe goodbye to his friend,
and, with a courteous farewell to the COM
pany, took his departure. He was hardly
out of hearing when the curiosity of hui
man nature spoke out, inquiring of the
friend if he had noticed the singular ring
the gentleman wore.
ooh yes. / know all about it. We
were felloW-travelers in Italy last year,
and Mr.. - had taken his wife to that
country to cure her of consumption.
But it was in vain. No air, no love, no
medicine could save her, and she died
there among strangers. She was a lovely
woman, amiable, cultivated and refined,
and also very intellectual, and my poor
friends life was bound up in hers. /
verify thought he would die too"
''But how about the ring?" urged an
impatient listener.
''That is part of the story. My friend
never thought of any obstacle in the way
of finding a suitable grave for his wife.
But he was a stranger; they were both
heretics; and a hereto could not be bu-
Fied in sacred soil. Only outside of the
Enclosures, in filthy district, haunted by
dogs, and filled with poisonous smells.
could he lay the loved remains. His soul
rev0ited at the idea.
Il went to our consul and stated the
case. He said there was no remedy but
to have the body burned, and the ashes
preserved.
''The soul of Mr.. - rose up in horror:
hours went by as he walked by the side OF
his dead in agony.
"But the inevitable could not be de-
layed. even by love, and as the only alter
native he permitted the remains to be in
cinerated The ashes were placed in a
box and sent home for burial. He had.
however, stipulated that the heart should
be burned separately. The ashes Of the
heart were compressed and inclosed in a
small glass case in the shape Of an urn.
lock of her hair was interviewer IN a
ring, on which the urn was placed as a
precious jewel. And so he bears about
with him everywhere the remains Of his
idol, for indeed it is idolatry. l hope he
may one day become reconciled to an af-
Fiction which is the lot Of all men; but
it Will take a long time with this constant
reminder of his loss"
"a strange idea, is it not?V remarked
one OF the passengers; ''a tomb in a ring!"
Such was the story told by one who
knew the circumstances to be true.
In the present discussions about bury
ing our dead, or burning them, the story
came to mind. tell it as twas told to
me-.