Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-13
o close up in a calm and sweet obliv


where all was dark and still. At first
| could not recall what had happened,
nor imagine where | was ; but by de-
grees the scenD Of my supposed death
came back to me, ard then fearful
horror thrilled me at the thought that
| might already be in my coffin and
perhaps buried alive Oh, heayen
the agony of that thought what Ian
guage can describe il ? | tried to
speak, but my lips wele sealed tried
to turn, to raise my hand, but not n
muscle could stir trird TO open
my eyes, but the lids were Fast lis
tened intently, but not sound broke
the awful silence. My soul was alive
though, and mentally prayed:
"Oh, my Gcd, deliver me Oh, mer-
ciful God, deliver me ~
Some time after this, as if in answer
to my prayer, heard the sound of
moving feet, as if some one were step
ping slowly, solemnly, and lightly a.
cross a floor The steps drew nearer
and nearer, and seemed to halt beside
me. Then there was slight noise, as
of something being moved above my
head. and a sensation as of light shin
ing suddenly out of darkness upon clos
ed eyelds. This was followed by the
sound of long, deep sigh, ending in Il
suppressed and mournful groan. and
then by long, heavy pressure of the
human lips upon my own. Oh, the
unspeakable agony of not being able to
respond to the devotion Of him who
was more to me than life for lay very
inmost soul acknowledged ii to be my
loving and beloved husband who was
with me, in the lone watches of the
night, mourning me a5 if gone forever
from the realm of time.
"Oh, my dear, dear Mary, Why did
you leave me thus - he said, IN low,
tremulous, sobbing tone why did
you leave me thus, TO struggle on alone
in the world that will henceforth be a
dark and drearY one TO me GA, God,
why could she not have been spared u
me, and to her children, little longerp
Oh, m merciful God ! know it is sinful
in me, poor mortal, TO fepine at Thy
wise decree ! and Therefore | besecch
Thee to give me strength TO bear up un-
der this great attiiction ! Oh, Heaven
lY Father ! support and sustain me,
that be not utterly crushed with the
W eight of this great sorrow ~
These words | heard and telt through
all my being, and yet could not move
could not respond. Was the misery of
Tantalus equal to mine ?
Again felt the warm, holy pressure
of my husbands lips upon mine and
as he drew back, with another heavy
groan, heard him murmur
"Oh, how beautiful is NV dear Mary
even in death How like is her death
to a calm and peaceful sleep Ia
what do | behold ? moisture upon
those lips and color upon these
cheeks ! Gracious God perhaps she
is not dead -
He rushed from the 70 m, and for
the first time my soul trembled with
hope. Might | not be saved at last :?
In miHue | heard quick steps
returning, and the voices of my mO,h-
er and husband spe liking eX;itelly.
''There there - he exclaimed, as
he came up 10 my side Look Dok !
is that death 2"
sit seems like life-it really seems
like life !" exclaimed my mother, in Il
wild, agitated tone. "Oh, Heaven J!
if it should he if it should be But
do not hope too much, Henry-do not
hope too much lit may be cruel de-
ception after all -
"Quick - he cried "let us take her
from the coffin, roll her in blankets,
rub her, and try every restorative
Quick your spirits Of hartshorn =
quick quick ~
A moment after, shcck seemed to
pass through my system-my eyes un-
cosed-my breath came-my toungue
was loosed and Dear mother dear
husband " issued from my lips.
A wild shrek of joy greeted my re-
turned animation wild confusion fol-
lowed the coffin lid was torn off ;
| was lifted out and carried to bed /;
the house was aroused ; the doctor
was sent for !; and before morning my
dear children were led to the bed Of
their living mother.
| need add but little more. | recov-
ed rapidly-disease left me--and IN
three weeks l was able to resume my
journey homeward-a living wonder,
if not a miracle.
1t was the second night after my sup
posed decease that | was restored 10
life. had been placed in a coffin,
which was to have been sealed up the
next day, for the long, homeward
journey Of the dead. The devotion OF