New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-09-16
PREPARING TO GO.
An AGED Man Predicts the Day OF His
Death and Arranses For It.

An Aged Man Predict. the Day OF His
Death and Arranses For It
Nyack, N. Y, Journal.
Valley Cottage is a way station on
the West Shore Railroad, midway be-
tween this place and Rockland Lake.
| It takes it's name from the hamlet, and
the hamlet from the farm of John Ry
der, who was long the most prominent
man in the place. On the 18th inst.
Mr.. Ryder died, and under circum~
stances that caused widespread com
ment among the villagers. Mr.. Ryder
died after prophesying for three days
that June IL would be his last day on
earth. Mr.. Ryder was a wealthy farm
er and high official in the Methodist
Church at Rockland Lake. He was
seventy-six years old, and his ruddy
cheek and clear blue eyes gave no in
dication of approaching dissolution.
He used to boast he had never been
i'll day in his life. Up to within a
few weeks ago he worked on his farm,
going out to pillow at daylight. One
dav hereturned to the farmhouse and
seated himself in an arm chair. When
asked if he was i'll he replied that he
was not, but said, II have plowed my
last Now I feel that as [ have pass
ed beyond my threescore and ten the
good Lord allowed me, l shall not
live to see this harvest. God, Thy
will be done"
His farm work fell into the hands Of
his hired men, and he mechanically re-
ceived their reports. All day hewalk
ed up and down the veranda, his head
sunk on his breast, deep in medlta-
ton.
II am tired" he would say, when
any Of the neighbors or his relatives
rallied him onhis actions "Ishalln
live long. Soon will tell you before
hand the day on which shall breathe
my last" On Tuesday, June 8, he
called bis family around him and sent
a servant after the farm hands, mean
while preserving a calm demeanor.
When all had assembled he said IN
deep impressive tones: "My friends,
my time is drawing nigh My sands
of life have nearly run out. But two
days more and l shall not be with you.
/ have received q warning, and 1t por
tends death. My friends, l leave you
with q life, hope, clear Of crime, and
with a hope and belief in the infinite
tenderness and mercy OF the true and
living God" Turning to a farm hand,
he said, with energy: Harness upmy
morse and buggy. Do it quickly"
When the vehicle was ready he sprang
in unassisted, and drove to the little
burying ground near by, owned by a
few of the old families in the neighbor-
hood. Arrived at the graveyard, he
looked around, and, running to a
mound where there was a pile of
stakes, he marked off the space in
which he wanted to be buried Driving
home he did not spare the horse, and
when his house was reached he imme-
diately dispatched a servant to Nyack
, for q lawyer who had done legal bus
mess for him before. In the note he
said he wanted to draw up his will.
. He also ordered the man to bring an
, undertaken with him. The undertaken
came, and jokingDy measured the old
gentleman. CHOW give me your bill,
| want to pay it now" he said to the
undertaken. The surprised undertaken
obeyed with reluctance, and the old
gentleman paid the money down. The
lawyer came after a second messenger
, had been sent for him The will was
duly drawn UP, and after the instru-
. ment had been signed, giving the pro-
portions to his children and grand
children, he invited the lawyer to
, come to his funeral, aus he was an old
, friend of the family and also to act
as a pall-bearer. The lawyer laugh
ingly assented to, the proposition,
thinking it was but a whim OF his old
| client. Mr.. Ryder then named the
, three other men he. wanted to act as
pall-bearers. In the. lawyers presence
he named all the other details about
the funeral, and made disposition OF
his personal effects, and mentioned his
? friends.
On the following day Mr. Ryder sat
) in his old arm chair On the veranda
i most OF the time. During the follow
ingenight he got up several times, and
his family heard him walking through
the house. Hewas In his place in the
morning, and appeared to be in his
usual health. Toward noon he. called
his, family around him, saying My
friends, | am now going. Good by all
and God bless YOU" He then lay
, back in his armchair, and, gazing ten.
derby at his family gently closed his
eyes. His lips moved in PRAYER. and
, once again he opened his eyes and
smiled, and again the eyelids closed
+ and all was still Those around him
, thought he was sleeping. but when they
called him he did not answer He was
), dead.-New York Journal.
I Con Mich o1n,z norpoll win, S3io1 No,