Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1905-01-07

DEATH


"A CHASTITY paleness Oyerspread his face. |
his head fell little TO one side. and he
looked as II he would have fallen but |
Tor the support I afforded him. his I
apparent collapse under the sudden /
attack which had been made upon him |
excited my sympthy. and in less than
u minute l relaxed my grasp, saying;
, ''Tell me where you have put those !
coins. and not only shall you escape |
punishment. but you shall be rewarded |
and allowed TO remain here as long
as you live"
The olds man made no reply. but
leaned against the wall. breathing
heavily. with a strange expression upon
his face, the like or which had not
seen.
Again l approached him, and laying
my hand gently on his shoulder spoke
40 him kindly, yet earnestly:
Il am sorry l have frightened you.
AS / live. l promise you shall come
90 no harm. But please tell me what
you have done with those coins. for
I have a right to know"
S'With a great effort. pitiable FOR its
feebleness, the old man took a large
fron key from his pocket. and essayed
90 step towards me. making as though
Ge would speak: but he failed Of his
Intention and fell heavily on the floor
The incident seriously alarmed me.
in an instant / was on my knees at his
side. supporting his head on my arm.
but my utmost efforts failed 10 rouse
the old man; his attenUated form
waxcd heavier and heavier. and his
bslf-closed eyes and lips lent an ex-
precision 20 his face awful 10 behold.
Quite terrified at his condition.
stamped violently on the floor and
shouted 80 loudly for help that TWO
servants rushed into the room.
Fetch Dr. Thur,ow at once; IL he
isn't he. send the boy on horse TO
Ixworth for doctor. Adams is Ill
don't know how seriously. Aud bring
some water. one OF You, quickly"
The women hastily left TO obey my
orders and We're met IT the door by
my father and Mr.. Wolsey.
What is the matterf' asked my
father STOPPING 90 look at the old man
rs nc lay on the floor. What has
happened?"
Il was talking TO Adams. when he
suddenly reeled and fell down IN
conscious" / explained.
He would be better on the couch -
said Mr.. Wolsey; and adopting the sug-
gcstion we lifted the old man into that
position.
BY this time a servant had returned
with some water; and while l bathej
the face OF the patient Mr.. WOlsey
and my father felt his left side and
watched intentiy for signs CT reSpira
ton. which could with difficulty be
discerned.
Il am afraid he is gelng." said my
father quietly.
Mr. WOlsey. TO whom these OminOu:
words We're addressed. signlfied hi
assent 10y lightly inclining his head.
- nor / cried In an agony OF fear
oppressed with the consciousness q
how largely was responsible for thi
catastrophe; Eve minutes ago he wa
we'll He must surely revive soon"
Ny exclamation was interrupted b,
the entry OF DR.. ThurlOw. who at one
began a systematic examination OF tn
patient He felt the old mans pulls
and the region OF his heart. closed an
Enclosed his passive hands. lifted on
of his eyelids and placed his finger @
the cyan experiment which l coul
not help but witness. though il horn
fed me profoundly. These things a,
complished. DR.. Thurlow turned 10 u
father and said:
Il am sorry to tell you, Mr. Truman
that your old servant is dead"
My heart sank within me as rea
lied the meaning of the doctors word
This was my first experience OF dealt
and 10 presence of that awful mystei
I seemed TO grow older by as man
yeas as minutes had elapsed since Il
{ fatal accusation 1 could not spea
but stood in sort of stupor, lookiI
down upon what had so recently bee
instinct with warmth md motion. 4
thought or the seQuins was banishs
from my mind. and instead I cOu
think only OF the one who had taug
me to ride in the green lanes abo
Holdenhurst when l was child; WI
had been first to Impress upon me Il
names OF the trees. shrubs, flowers al
birds common in our neighborhoo
and who. so far as l could remernbs
had never spoken harshly TO me. Al
now that one lay before me dead.
who but for me would doubtless ST
be performing his customary duti
about the Mace. NV ret'sctionS we
TOO painful to bear undisturbed, and
broke down utterly. aic>s~ -
d DIR. ThurIow was about TO lead !