The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-17

even succeeded in bursting the lid of my coffin
would not the earth silt down upon me, ming
drowning in mudl Every way my thoughts
turned, death in some form or other met them.
However began 10 make careful survey Of
my narrow house, feeling every inch OF II. II
was SO large and roomy that could move my
arms with perfect ease. There was no ereyice IN
the lid, and The boards Of the sides, although
roughly planed, were 11rm aud solid.
/ raised my arm TO examine the other end. and
there | felt a knot, Which, after had worked at
to push it out. Thrusting one finger through the
opening. / could feel wet, heavy clayey soil.
But what good did 1t do me? l even regretted
having pushed the knot out. Tor now the dlft
might sft IN upon me.
Another thought now flashed upon my mind
1t was TO sound my coffin on all sides by tapping
where 1t was not filled In. Everywhere the
sound was the same until began to test the end
by quick, sharp blows with my heel. Here !
fancied there was dull, b ollow sound. Perhaps
it was only different thickness OF board. The
next endeavor was to start board somewhere,
in some weak spot where The nails had not
pierced evenly. AT that moment Thoughts Of the
hated Slmoueau fitted through my MIND, and
my whole face was believed with cold sweat as l
pictured the tall, handsome man bending over
my beloved Marguerite, whispering words OF
consolation in her ears, bidding her take cour-
age, that he would watch over her, he would see
that she lacked for nothing, he would be her pro-
tector, he would make her life bright and beautl-
full aganl CRASHED my teeth with rage until
foamed at the mouth, for could hear the BUD
bles breaking on my lips.
Utering curses upon the head of the hated
SimOneau gathered myself for mighty effort
to break out of my narrow cell. Upward, side
wise, lengthwise, with hands aud feet aud head
and arms | strained myself IN c0nVulslVe strug-
giles to start board and make my escape Twas
like a wild beast suddenly pinned down to EARTH
and twisting himself in terrible contortions to
snap the bands that hold him.
grOaned. wepl, Kissed, prayed, | lntoned
psalm, laughed like maniac. In vain, all IN
vain. My poor bruised joints burned as II Goals
OF fire were heaped upon them. My bones
cracked and bent under the strain L put upon
them. was buried alive. Death would be an
affair OF a few short hours. Suddenly something
babe me call for help, and although felt that
these terrible efforts were fast weakening me
began 10 yell like one possessed; but The voice
was not my own. and the fearful exertion did
not seem TO be WIled by me- My MIND III CAIN
and calculating manner took note oil these awful
cries for help, and watched the struggles OF this
poor creature to free itself from impending
death. And yet had no power TO control this
double SELL Which now scratched iurlously at
the boards with Its long nails, and bent ana
twis, ed its body like Wolf in a trap. How long
this paroxysm lasted | know not. Even now
l can feel The appalling solidity OF those walls,
nor have those piercing shrieks and pitiul
groans yet ceased 10 ring In my ears 1n spite
oil my efforts 10 obey The calm and Oft-repeated
admoniIiOns OF that mysterious power regulating
my thoughts, could not. 1t was Impossible,
and continued TO rage until, utterly exhausted
l fell back upon the pillow placed beneath my
head by direction OF the tender and loving Mar
guerite. In condition OF painful relapse l
awaited The coming of death, for my collin might
as well have been OF hewn rock. lelt that
should never be able 10 force II open, ana this
terrible conclusion robbed me OF all power to
continue the struggle.
Another pang was now added to my list OF sur
feIings, for burgers gauDt aud teshless hands
were joined with the icy palm Of cold and the
poisonous fingers of sutfocatiOn-three turtles.
each mistress of subtle and different devices TO
wiring gfoanS from my poor paIched lips. ielt
that was swOonUg away from weakness, ana
every minute this new pang gained in sharpness.
III my suffering l thrust my finger through tile
-t.,1a lsndd ra in al Mi
which began 10 chew, only TO redOuble my tor
ment. Beside myself with this lOngcontlnued
torture, like famshed beast set my teeth In
nv arm and siToye to tear the flesh i'll order to
reach few drops of liquid TO cool the fever
which was devOuring me.
"Ah, If death would only come ~ was now the
feeble cry which fell from my lips. All my life
the thought OF annihilatiOn had weighed me
down, but now wished for IT, Now | yeaTned
for ii. Let IL come; il cannot be more terrible
than what l suffering now. How silly and
childish to be afraid of this sleep without
dreams-this eternity of silence and gloom
There is a mercy ana charm about death when