Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-12
THE ANGEL OF DEATH
Comes Upon Many Remarkable
Scenes With the Sad Summons.
EXPERIENCES OF AN OLD NURSE.
A Belle of the Ball Dies With Champagne
Upon Her Fair Lips.
MATTER-oF.FACT END OF A MERCHANT
CORRESPONDENCE OF TUE prsPAToH.I

professional nurse now employeu as
prominent New York hospital. ''I am now
40 years of age, and have been nurse for
20 years, though have been in this coun-
try but ten.
ga few years ago was called into very
aristocratic family on Fifth avenue I
cannot give you names for obvious reasons.
But this family is very rich as well as aris-
tocratic. As am usually called upon only
in critical cases, I was not surprised to find
the patient very low. She was the loved
and petted only daughter. She had but made
her debut the season before, and her second
social season was at its height. 1t appears
that she was very lively girl-a spoiled
child-and had ca ught a severe cold at an
entertainment. Instead Of taking care of
herself, she went about as usual every night
in evening dress. When arrived at the
house found her lying in a magnificent
room practically at the point of death with
pneumonia. Three physicians were in con-
sultation. The family were terribly fright
ened.
Her Last Drink OF Wine.
1.-THE girl was very lovely, for pneumonia
is sudden disease aud she had not been In
bed more than two days. I found her wan
dering in her mind. She seemed to half
comprehend what was, for she turned her
dark eyes upon me q moment and inquired:
"'Will 1 be able to 60 to the ball?'
"sBalli Mercy. child said I, trying to
soothe her, don't think about balls. After
awhile
"'Ring for champagnep she ordered i'm
periously. I'm going to dress for the ball.
must co. She tried to hum waltz then
suddenly exclaimed, 'Champagnel Cham
pagnel Bring champagnel 1t warns the
heart sol Ny heart is getting coldl Bring
more champagneP
sank to whisper.
It was evident her young life was fast ebb-
ing. The stimulant was brought Rising
on her elbow she grasped the freshly opened
bottle from the tray and before we had time
to recover from our astonishment poured its
sparkling contents down her throat. Der
eyes shone like stars.
CHAM but the word was never fin
ished.
"She flung the bottle from her, sank into
the soft pillows and expired. hadn't been
there ten minutes.
Didn't Know What 1t Meant.
Sometimes the ludicrous is 50 mingled
with the pathetic ending of life, }" said the
nurse, "that 1t requires considerable self
control to prevent laughter. You have
doubtless heard of the little s-year-old who
was on her dying bed, and being told by her
sorrowing parents that she must die, very
strenuously objected.
"'But you will 20 to heaven, darling, to
live forever, said the mother.
"T don't want to 90 to heaven to i've
L. y-fr,Jt
where you and papa are is good enough for
mel
"There was rich old merchant over in
Thirty.ffth street whom was called upon
to attend. He had spent lifetime in the
accumulation Of considerable wealth, and in
his old age went straight from his counting
house to his bed. He could scarcely be
brought to realize that his stay on earth was
short. His large family was very anxious
concerning his future, but couldn't get him
to consider the question. The family doc
tor told me his case was hopeless and in
structed me to impress this fact on his mind,
which was inclined toward business and
trivial things. His daughter met me in the
library and took me up to the sick room.
She was richly.dressed and very lovely
lady.
Insisted on Dress Reform.
THAT is the way you spend my money
said he from the bed, as soon as we came
forward. He paid no attention to me.
Just look at that dressl'
"'Dear mel Never mind, papa-please
don't talk of such things now. Try and fix
your mind on more serious things. This is
the nurse
"'Nursei nursel I don't want any nurse.
She can't be more serious than this thing of
throwing away hard-earned money!
"While he had resisted every attempt to
prepare him for death, day or two later he
was little restless and lay eyeing me for q
long time. He suddenly spoke up: $50
I'm going to die, am I?' His voice was
deep and harsh and sounded as if it came
from the grave. l was startled almost ont
of my usual selfpossession, but finally |
managed to tell him as gently as possible |
that his time on earth was very short indeed, |
If he had anything on his mind he'd better
act accordingly.
"'Well, 'spose might as we'll get
ready to CO. he growled, as if it bored him.
Bring 'em in Alluding to his family.
Finished With Prayer.
"I hurrIedly summoned his wife and chill. |
dren. He feebly tried to raise himself, but |
gave it up. Then he gave them an extended |
lecture on their mode of living. He remind |
ed them that he had worked early and late |
to leave them competence and he hoped |
they wouldn't waste it in riotous living. |
They ought to curtail expenses and reform |
on certain matters of dress
Though he was terribly exhausted when |
finished, he waved them aside abruptly and |
growled: Now get out and send in the
other gangP
He lectured the rest in the same way.
One of the members of his family remained
after the rest had gone out. 1t was his
young son. held my finger on the old |
mans pulse. 1t was Pickering.
"'Can you praY?' he suddenly asked the
young man.
"'Yes, father sobbed the lad, his heart
almost bursting.
"'Well, then, preach up, was the hoarss
reply.
THE boy fell upon his knees BY the bed
side and uttered few choking words while
the old man rested his hand upon his sons
head. In half minute the old merchant was
dead"
Went With the Lightning's Flash.
"Widely diferent,"- continued the nurse,
was case i was called upon to attend to
when was in England. It was that of an
old man, too-a rich country Squire. He
was terrible old fellow who had . reputa-
tion all over the countryside of having
lived reckless life, of being grinding
an atheist and even terror to his
family. In fact, he had driven them out of
doors, one by one, until he was practically
alone with his servants, few greedy rela-
tives keeping risky place in the near back
ground. But single daughter had stuck
to him, and she was afraid to say or do
anything. Poor girl; she didn't know what
to do.