Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-05-21

lie slept IN the office. One night
while we were sitting by the stove, he
looked up suddenly and asked
"What is your religion ?"
81 do not belong to any church."
(which church do you favor 7"
81 favor them all, for they all point
to place OF final rest"
"And final hell" said he.
"Yes, the most of them believe in a
hell, though not so strongly, l fancy,as
they did before education became so
general"
mot so much as they did," he as
sented. MANY of them do not now
believe that hell is necessary to saliva
ton, but there must be difference in
the treatment Of good and bad souls.
Suppose man who never harmed any
one, should kill himself ? Do you think
his soul would find rest ?"
"That's a question upon which l
would not like to express an opinion"
ut is a question though" he contin'
ued, (which concerns me very much.
My suffering daily increases, but |
don't see that I am approaching the
grave with that degree Of acceleratio1
which promises an early relief from
pain. have often thought that in my
case, man would be iusti6able in Ia
king his own life. 1t looks to me as
though am reutlessly tortured"
hardly knew what reply to make,
for felt that the old man had cause to
complain, but after few moments of
reflection, said
swat. No matter how much you
may be racked by pain, wait. You
surely cannot live much longer"
A light of encouragement shone In
his eyes as he said: -
"Ah, those are pleasant words"
After this fancied that he was not
30 restless. He continued to talk medi-
cine, to allay pain rather than to pro-
long life, he said. He wrote several
strangely readable articles for the Cat
Fish. | didn't know, that with all my
experience in handling manuscripts, /
have even seen handwriting so pecu.
liar az his. A number of our citizens
who saw it remarked its dissimilarity
to any chirography they had ever be-
held, and among them the old man was
known as the curious scribe.
One evening as was about to leave
the office, he followed me to the door.
"Mr. Buck" said he, II think now
that my time is Short"
He looked as though he wanted to
smile, but that his poor old lips had
lost the movement necessary to the re-
fection of so pleasing an expression.
"Why do you think so, Mr.. With
ers ("
81 dreamed last night that was
dead. / thought that I lay down In
quiet rest, like tired man who goes to
bed"
ST don't think that you should sleep
here alone"
"Yes," be replied. "The presence
of anyone would disturb my medita-
tions. Il have an impression that | will
die suddenly. An attendant would do
no good, and would rob the first few
hours of my long coveted sleep Of that
deep solitude which desire shall sur.
round me-"
AS was walking down the road to-
ward the house where 1 boarded on
long time and short rati0ns, met
Squire Duval.
"Well, Buck" when had stopped
and shaken hands with him, show is
the curious scribe getting along 7''
"Almost cheerful In the thought that
he is soon to leave u.s." replied.
''Strange old man, mighty queer, but
don't think that bis minds altogether
out o. whack. Him an me agrees put
ty well here o. late, fur I've mighty
nigh made a spiritaalist outen him.
'Tuther day when he 'peered to be so
dead sot on suicide, said to him, says
I, 'Withers, don't do it. II you do,
your grade will be low. Live on, even
IL you do suffer, an your grade will be
high"
The next morning, as was going to
the Office, overlook the Squire near
the place where I had met him the day
before. B'leve I'll go with you," said
he, "an' have a few moments chat
with the old fell"
There was no lock on the Office door,
and lifting the latch, we entered.
Great God The old mans body lay
on the floor. His head, with the face
turned toward us, lay on the imposing
stone. A bloody-an awful scene On
the stone, near the head, lay sheet of
paper covered with the old man pecu-
liar writing. Almost breathlessly, !
read these words
"You will be surprised to find my
head I'M here and nv holv on the floor.