The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-03-09

and the great anxiety from which her mind
had just emerged. she was unable to battle
with the sickness, so that it was not long till
| Death 5 angel visited the Manor and
! carried away her spirit
1t was pitiful to witness the sorrow of
the old man. For Il time his friends feared
he would die of grief; but slowly, very
slowly, he emerged from the state of
despair into which he had been thrown.
Now the mansion had but one tenant.
None, save for the companionship Of his
dog and the services Of two faithful ser
wants. dwelled the grief stricken Judge.
Retiring from his practice he kept himself
secluded from the world and lived. sur
rounded by the associations of happier times
now passed forever.
But the shock had been 4 severe blow,
and gradually he succumbed under the af-
fiction He would sit in his library be-
fore the fire, while the twilight slowly
gathered listening to the moaning of the
wind and the gentle tapping ofth branches
against the window -panes. and watching
the flames from the log sparkle up the
chimney. From the hearth came the only
light, and great shadows, with long point
ed arms. would fit about the heavy furni
ture and dance upon the whitened walls.
1t was the belief of many villagers that on
such evenings the old man communed with
departed ones for the lights seen in the
past were now noticed lowering at the
library easements.
One evening as few men were passing
along the road near the manison. they
heard the dog whining on the porch, and
in the pale moonlight saw him scratching
at the door, Attracted by the animal
actions they paused, when suddenly the
front door opened and an old servant issued
forth, and hastened down the avenue of
trees toward the men, He was greatly
alarmed, and meeting the villagers told
them in an excited tone that his master
was dying. They all hurried to the house
and. following the dog which bounded in
before them. soon reached the library.
There. seated in his armchair before the
fire, by whose fading light objects in the
room were barely discernible, his head
bowed upon his breast was the old man.
He made no movement when they entered,
and ON one Of them speaking to him offered
no reply. Looking into his face they plain
ly saw the cause of his Inconsistencies -
death. All the while the dog stood beside
his master. gently licking the hand that
had fallen over the arm of the chair; and
when the men lifted the body and bore it
to a divan at the furthest end of the room.
followed whining piteously.
The few friends of the Judge informed
of his death repaired Immediately to the
manison. He had no children, and the
one who would most probably inherit the
estate was nephew. his only living rela-
tive now dwelling in the far West. To
him the friends telegraphed intelligence of
his uncle death; but it would be neceS
sary that the funeral take place before he
could reach the Manor
Within little drawer of Il cabinet was
found a small envelope across which. writ
ten as by a trembling hand were these
words: Instructions for My Funeral
and also another paper which the Judge
friends regarded as his testament. The
smaller package they opened; prudently
leaving the more important document for
the nephew to break seal.
The directions contained in the little en-
velope were of character to excite. great
surprise. After stating where should be
the tomb. it commanded that the services
be conducted at evening in the village
church, and at night, upon the stroke of
twelve the casket was to be lowered into
the grave Such were the contents, seem
ing but the eccentric whims of an eccen
trio mind There was nothing to hinder
the fulfillment of the Judge last requests;
and as no mention had been made designat-
inc any special night the friends decided
on the following.
That evening, while twilight was deep
ening into gloom, those in attendance as
sembled at the Manor and carried the
remains to the little church not far distant.
1t was crowded, many present out OF res
pect for the deceased yet the majority
through curiosity. AS the bearers walked
with measured tread up the narrow aisle
the soft strains from the organ foated
through the partly opened windows. and
caught by passing breeze were waited
across the little cemetery to the distant
woods The coffin was placed before the
altar. where. within the chancel stood the
rector. The services were soon ended and
the congregation dismissed, after which the
friends departed, leaving three Of their
number to await their return.
Night now drew closer around. Fast
flying clouds hid the pale moon, but ever
and anon its silvery rays would shine
through a rift between two heavy banks.
Dark shadows lay crouched at the feet of
tall trees. reaching their long arms out
into the road; and the wind swaying the
naked branches whispered softly among
the bells in the old belfry. Now and then
the screech Of an owl or the barking "f
farmer dog would break the stiffness.
but save these sounds silence reigned.
At about haff-past eleven those hav-
ing charge of the final arrangements be
gan arriving. When all were present,
and the hands of the church clock
drew near to midnight. they started for
the little cemetery at the side of the
church. Weird and phamtomli like was the
scene. First came the old sexton then
followed two men with torches, behind
whom were the bearers with the casket,
while the remaining friends, with the rec
tor. five in all. closed the procession. As
they left the church and followed the
wall. large shadows appeared. now crouch
ing beneath giant oak, then suddenly
starting up climbed to the roof and noun,
ted into the belfry. No sound was heard
but the slow tread of the men walking
over fallen leaves and broken twiss, and an
occasional low rumbling of distant thunder
in the west.
Reaching the grave they deposited their
burden. All preparations having been
made to fulfill the Judges request the