Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-11-21
CHAPTER V.


| PAsC. AaEssIT CEMETERY-hY fATHRE
IN THE PRESENCE az THE ASHES OF HIS
ANCESTORS.
On my arrival In New York with my
prizes purchased magnificent caskets
for both Sir Archibald and Lady Flea
nor, telegraphing my father what Wa,
about, and that the caskets were to be
supposed to come from England.
As may well be imagined, there was q
grand social upheaval In Pasonagessit
when my father made known the con-
tents Of my London letter and an.
nounced that was about to sail from
England in charge Of the remains Of his
great-grandfather and grcat-grandmoth.
or, Sir Archibald and Lady Eleanor
johnson. Nothing else was talked OF
In the village. At first q few venerable
danes called to talk over the great fam.
lily event with my mother. Then the
Bradfords began to call, and soon there
was grand rush Of both young and old.
Pasonagessit precipitated itself upon the
johnson mansion.
All this time my father was busy. He
had found what he had long needed-an
occupation-and was In his element. He
at once bought o large plat Of ground In
the Pasonagessit cemetery and an.
nounced that he intended to remove TO
it the remains of his father, mother,
grandfather, grandmother and all his
ancestors, whose tombs were scattered
through New England in several distant
and neglected graveyards. He became
20 interested and 80 thoroughly In ear.
nest In this work that he almost convinced
himself that the remains about to ar.
rive from England were really those Of
his great-grandfather and great-grand.
mother.
He Immediately gave orders for the
disinterment and removal to Pasonages-
sit of the remains Of his father, mother
and other ancestors whose graves were
In New England, work he would never
have thought Of had 1t not been for his
having first undertaken the great enter
prise Of bringing over from England his
great-grandparents.
The event was naturally pleasing to the
pride Of my mother and sisters. There
fore when they saw my father wholly
absorbed In the new undertaking and
sparing neither pains nor expense In car
rying out his plans their enthusiasm be-
came almost boundless. Nearly every
day they were out to where he was en-.
gagged in experimenting the work Of Lay.
ing out his burial lot. Thecounty survey.
or was employed, and the sites Of all the
proposed tombs were traced and perna-
nently marked. Rev. Nantu,t 1t Sperm,
Captain Shrimp and all the church off,
GERS were led out to the churchyard
and solsmnly consulted.
In explaining his plans my father was
In his glory. Here would be the tombs
Of Sir Archibald and Lady Eleanor; nd.
Joining would be those Of my great
grandfather and Observation-Disclosures, and
20 ON down. Indeed, from quite an ac-
cidental beginning. my family were In
the thick Of what might be termed q
grand sepulclral boom. Others, too,
caught the infection, and there wss q
general overhauling Of tombs and bright
ening up Of the Pasonagessit graveyard.
Soon It had been 30 beautihed that all In
the village were proud Of 1t.
When my father was informed OF my
arrival In New York, he at once dropped
all his work and Joined me. Never be-
fore had I seen the old gentleman 10
thoroughly in earnest and 30 filed to
ssturstion with any hobby or undertake
ing.
When I took him TO the undertaker's
and showed him the splendid and costly
caskets In which rsposed the remains OF
Bir Archibald and Lady Eleanor. he was
much affected. I then pointed out the
family arms on the coffin plates and ex.
hibited to him number OF the silver
gilt buttons Of my great-great-grsud.
father.
To NY astonishment, while was glib
/, ly running ON about these things, the
old gentleman suddenly broke down.
Leaning his mead upon my shoulder. he
ssid, ~ can't hslp It, my sonr' and hs
sobbed aloud.
| This exhibition VI feeling ~ the part
" my good father brought tsars 70 my
syes, and We wept together.
The undertaker, who Of course know
sow very ancient the remains were. was
| quite surprised st such an outburst Of
| Irisf. Addressing my father. be ssid:
my dear CTR, your excellent relative de-