The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-05-16

nOVerlng near. An OmlnOuS raIlle
in the throat, convulsive gasp, and
all was over Oh, what a helpless
pitiful look came over the face of
the woman as she glanced at the
pitying faces around her, and then
buried herhead in her hands. Look
ing up shortly with tear stained
face, she said, in voice sad but
sweet: Gentlemen l thank you for
your kindness to me more than |
can say. This is my husband. We
were on our way to Denver in the
stage, but the high water made the
ford impossible, and as he was very
i'll and they told us of this camp we
started in the darkness and the
storm, but had not gone far before
he became exhausted and sank
down on the trail, and l hastened
here for assistance. We have Just
come from the East for his health,
which has been bad for some time,
thsnking he would get relief in this
milder climate, but it is all over
now" Again bowling her head, she
wept bitterly for time; then Bill
Ahern, knowing that something
should be done, but scarcely realiz-
ing what, touched her on the arm
and said; "Beg pardon, missus; the
boys here want to do something
for you, but don't know how. We
thought as you would rather be
alone like, and maybe we'd better
take the body to another tent"
"No, no." said the woman, throw
ing her arms around the body 81
must stay with him" Then, in an
apologize voice. Excuse me, but I
am nearly wild with my grief, 1
would rather stay with him this one
night this in an imploring tone.
The men get their heads together
and finally conclude to give up the
tent to the woman and her dead for
the night. Announcing this to her
they silently filed out into the dark
ness, back to where they had been
playing; but that game was not re-
sumed. They talked over the Incl
dent until the gray light of dawn.
The rain having ceased, the sun
shortly afterward came marching
over the hill in magnificent splen-
dor. Soon the whole camp was
awake and smoke from numerous
fires indicated that the morning
meal was in preparation. Ahern
and the rest waited until the sun
was high in the heavens for some
sign of life from the tent, but none
came; they had cooked a breakfast
for the lonely mourner, but hesitated
to disturb her. Finally, the morn
ing being pretty far advanced, it
was resolved that Ahern should
be the spokesman in rendering their
hospitality. Going to the opening
he pushed back the flies and found
the woman in exactly the same
position as they had left her the
preceding night, Speaking to her
he received no answer, and going
closer, thinking she had fallen asleep
he shook her gently at first, then
more strongly she never moved.
Becoming alarmed, he raised her
head, and to his horror found that
she was dead. As there was no out
ward apparent cause they concluded
that she, had died of a broken heart. |
On a beautiful little plateau over
looking the gulch, in bed of prairie
lilies, wild roses, and honeysuckles,
they dug two graves side by side,
and, placing boards at the head,
placed on them in rude characters
strangers died June 80, 1862"
and, despite every effort no infor-
nation of the unfortunate pair, as
to who they were or where they
came from, was ever obtained.
POIITENEss. IT is n graceful habit