The Wilmingtonian., 1886-10-30

Mrs. zimmerman had by this time become
thoroughly possessed of the idea that there
was life still lingering in the apparently dead
body of her husband and the thought of hay.
ing him taken away for burial was too terri
BILE to contemplate. If she could only gain
time she felt sure she could revive him,
though why she should so strongly hold to
such belief she could not have explained,
but hope she did, and proceeded to renew all
the efforts which had previously proved in
vain.
With the energy of dispair she worked on,
and again the dead bearers entered the
room.
"We must take the body now, madam, 1.-THE
man said who appeared to be in authority.
"We can only hope to stay the epidemic by
the prompt removal of the dead and thor
ough disinfection of the houses"
'But he is not dead, "she persisted. ''Seel'
holding hand mirror over his lips, ''there
is little moisture"
The man looked closely and shook his
head.
"Your hopes deceive you, "he said kindly
che is surely dead, and we must take the
body"
With wild cry Of agony she fell on her
knees, beseeching them with tears to give
her just one half hour more.
The men gently put her aside, trying to
reason with her on the necessity of their
course, but she only pleaded more earnestly.
At last, finding reasoning vain they attempt
| ed to lay hands upon the body, but thrust
| ing them aside she threw herself down be-
| side her husband, and clasping him in her
her arms declared, with an agonized vehem-
ence that awed the men;
'If you take him you shall bury me with
him. will not let him go |"
AS the men stepped back she renewed her
pleadings.
"Gve me only 0ne-half hour Ifthere are
no signs of life then will ask no more"
Reluctantly the men yielded and left her
alone once more to her hopelessly task.
This time she saturated flannes with hot
mustard water, and enveloped both body and
| limbs then commencing with the purple
nails she rubbed each finger vigorously
downward tostart the CONCEALED blood Every
few moments she put few drops of brandy
in his mouth, and raising his head applied
| strong hartshorn to his nostrols. Five-.ten
-iifteen-twenty minutes passed. One ten
minutes left of that precious half hour which
meant life or death to her. She redoubled
her efforts. Another five minutes passed
still no change the face seemed even more
/ tb-1i ha tha tpnh vi
raised his head upon her arm and administer
ed mored brandy, then applied the bottle of
hartshorn to his nostrils. She glanced an
xiously at the clock-only two minutes
more, and far down the street came the rum
| BILE of the death. cart, and like death knell
rang out the solemn cry; Bring out your
dead" She raised her pallid face to Heaven
with an agonized cry.
ooh, my God my God save him can
not give him up
The head resting on her arm fell back
ward-the bottle shook in her trembling
hand, and quantity of the hartshorn was
spilled on the deathly face portion of the
fiery liquid penetrated the nostrils. There
was sudden, sharp. convulsive movement
of the dead mans limbs, a cry of pain, and
as the dead bearers enterered the room he
sprang toia sitting posture, gasping fol-
breath.
The wife turned to them face transfgur-
ed with joy. 'See r' she cried exultingly,
stretching out her hand toward her husband.
II have conquered death I" and fell uncon.
scious across the bed.
The reaction in the sick mans case was
complete; speedy convalescence followed,
and week later, with his devoted wife he
was safe among the New Hampshire hills
saved by a love stronger than death.--[ De.
troit Free Press.