Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-04-04
HOW 1 DIED.


HOW I DIED.
Twas very sick. ! had laid for days
that seemed years upon the rack Of such
pain a. only stxong men, suddenly broken
npon the wheel. may know. Every bone
lin my body. every nerve. every minute
gland of corporal tissues had been like
electric wires and cells surcharged with
ethereal agony. At last thero had cope
q benumbed feeling that thrilled like the
vibration Of harp strings suddenly stilled.
could hear the hum OF voices like the
far OF drone Of bees. and the sound
heemed soothing me into strange peace.
was aware that somebody passed q
light before nv eyes, and after repeating
the action several times replaced the
night lamp on the stand without the
shade. knew also that somebody stepped
TO the window and threw II wide open,
while voice, seemingly borne beyond
the confines Of space and gathering force
~ Il approached the boundaries Of auric-
ular demonstration until II doomed like
the deep bass Of the sea. uttered These
words:
Tho poor fellow is going fast. Give
his spirit chance to free itself"
"Do ron believe In that old woman
roty' asked another. and from the re-
zion Of enchanted drowsiness where ]
seemed to linger caught myself listen.
ing for the third voice, which seemed
to know would speak next. And ! didn't
listen In vain. for even while struggled
with the unseen forces that were hurry.
ing me away woman's voice. clear and
strong and sweet m the notes Of bell
that was forever ringing In my ear, said:
I'VE believe In Gods mercy, and we
believe that this poor pain racked body Is
about to throw open the door by which
the spirit goes free; II q closed window
hinder Its going. we will throw every
window In the old hospital as wide as
the sky"
And give tho rest Of the poor devils
In the ward O chance to catch mortal
chilli responded the second voice. "You
are as consistent as the rest Of your ser.
Miss Brady"
While yet the echo Of the head doctors
voice beat the air In circles OF receding
sound, I suddenly ceased to think. to
hear. to feel. to bo. And yet was. ]
knew by some newly developed sense
that lay mute and white upon the cot
which had supported my body so long.
and that the fragrance Of prayer foated
through the awful stiffness Of the room
| Il bad no form nor sound. and yet some
thing within me perceived It, as the Ian.
guild senses perceive the fragrance OF
newly mown hay upon = serene June
morning.
A continuous pageant Of the most se-
raphic vision unfurled In endless progress
sion before me. saw the green hills OF
my childhood's home lift themselves like
emerald bubbles In haze Of enchanted
mir saw the sapphire Of the sea set In
rim Of violet dawns and daffodil Moons
| saw the stretch Of desert sands like
drifts Of snow within the compass Of q
lonely land. And In the midst Of their
bewildering vision | suddenly saw a
cleaning slab within q windowless room,
where something long and white and
rtill was lying. Drops Of Ice were form.
ing on the edges Of the slab, and death
cold stream was purling across Its shin.
ing surface. Something that was not a
voice, and which made itself manifest to
me through other channels than the ear,
kpoke lightly Of the grave wherein ]
soon should lie.
I'VE will bury him tonight" It seemed
10 say. there will DO no friends to In.
terfere, and there are too many dying
these few days past to keep 'stiffs over
half day."
But the law grants even q 'stih Its
rights" responded the womanly voice ]
had learned to know, I'VE have no
right to bury him with such indecent
haste"
Right or no right. law or no law.
he'll have to get out Of this tonight" re-
piled the FIRST voice.
The contention had no effect upon the
something within my Ice bound frame
which still held its mysterious connec.
tion with sentient life. That flament,
fine ~ the gossamer shred by which the
spider binds together the ether and the
rose, seemed an electric wire charged
with messages from an unseen world.
could hear the rise and fall Of angelic
choruses. like the dip OF songful seas.
and clear and sweet and distinct. above
them all, heard the woman's voice ]
learned from out the cold embrace OF
Heath to note.
He shall not be buried tonight, nor
vet tomorrow. II that flush continues on
his face"
What nush are you talking abouty
responded the doctor. bringing the light
hs carried nearer the face that lay upon
The marble slab. where the ice drops
were forming. crystal by crystal, like TIN
aads one threads upon growing strand.
why. the Hush we both have noticed
tincs we stood here. I knew by the In.
lent gaze You bestowed upon what gen.
srully demands but u passing glance that
sou discovered Il when ! did. and dc.
inand that the body be removed to the
ward until we investigate the case"
THAT hush 10 only the reflection OF
your red Dress" laughed tho doctor.
"You are wasting time said the
nurse. III shall call stretcher to carry
this living man out Of the morgue. AT
Irward We may resume our converss'
tiou.r
"You shsll do nothing Of the SORT" 70
piled the doctor. placing his hand as hs
smoke upon the outstretched arm OF the
nurse with compelling force. "You have
made fool Of yourself over this fellow
from the first. Not hanger on In the
ward but what noticed your interest In
his handsome face. You are bound to me
by ties You cannot break, and rather thar
eco you under the enchantment OF THU
| fellow again simply win smother the
feeble pulse Of life that fingers In hii
veins and make o surety Of his death"
"You may bs . villain. but you are mol
coward, DR.. Ware, replied the womsn
whose hand he still held. ITO refuse e
Rive this man the chance 10 live would
| b the most despicsble oct Of your HE
and, % help me God. ! win denounc'
you a 4 murderer before the hrst 5usttc'
| | can and u you do not instantly sum
mon assistance and remove this bod,
49, AL. ~lsSs