Year: 1868


it true that at times the mighty I'M
known of future vaguely impresses it
self upon the presents | think so. If
not, how do we get that pre-science of
good or evil that so strongly elevates
with hope or depresses with feari that
throws over our spirits the serenity of a
placid lake, or the wild agitations of a
stormy seat


From my earliest recollection l had
always been afraid of being buried alive.
| do not remember that the fear of death
had ever troubled me-only the fear OF
entering the grave while yet a living
man, and becoming conscious of it when
too late. Of all the horrors which the
mind can conjure up, this, to me, al
ways seemed the most dreadful, and the
fear of it fastened itself upon me with
all the power of haunting spectre; and
it became one of the deep concerns of
my life to guard against it. AT twenty
two years of age ordered my coffin
and purchased my tomb. The coffin
was so constructed that living person
closed up in it could touch certain
springs and throw it all apart; and the
tomb was contrived with proper venti.
lation, and provided with blankets and
key inside, so that in case of life return
ing after burial, l could secure myself
against deadly chill and speedily find
my way out.


WHY had I this fear to lead me ~
these precautions, unless the coming
reality had cast it's shadow upon me 7
NV mosOmania, as many named 1T, was
known to all my friends, every one of
whom had been separately charged to
see me positively dead before burial.
But what are precautions taken against
fate? was doomed to he buried alive
after all.


At the time speak of, was twenty
seven years of age, and living In my
native place--an inland city. Urgent
business called me to Boston, where /
had only one acquaintance. very dear
friend, who often invited me to come
and make him long visit Unfortu-
nately, he was out of town, and expect
ed to be for several days; but his family
insisted on my making their house my
home during my stay ia the city, and
would not, in fact, permit me to go else
where. On the fourth day had finish
ed my business, and, as it was the last
of the week, | decided to remain two or
three days longer, and l should perhaps
get a sight of my friend before leaving.


On the following morning was found
dead in my bed-at least it was 80
reported, and the strongest evidence l
have against il is the fact that l am liv-
ing now. The people OF the house, of
course, were much excited and alarmed
their physician was called in, and af-
terward the coroner. 1t was at length
decided to put me in coffin and place
me in the church vault until the return
of my friend, who would, of course,
have my body conveyed to my native
place for interment.


Thus it is seen that all my precaution
ayailed me nothing, for abroad, almost
among strangers, had taken on the
semblance of death, and had been cof-
fined and entombed in the ordinary
way.


l returned to consciousness in tho
night, in the vault of the church. or
course, knew not where l was. My
first impression was one of strange
pressure and confinement. fancied,
as i'm a dream, that | had been seized
for maniac, a straight-jacket put up
on me, and then forced into narrow
cell. This idea did not long hold its
place. As my mind grew clearer, be-
gan to recall what had happened the
past week-leaving home going to Bos-
ton, transacting my business, and so on.
I remembered being at my friends
house, and of deciding to remain lon.
ger than first intended, hoping for his
return before my departure. All this
gradually became clear, along with the
last pleasant evening had spent with
his family. But then came blank.
What had happened sin0ei And where
was now2 attempted to rise, and
and found myself shut up in some mar
row place that scarcely allowed any
movement whatever. How did l get
there What did it meanf


Suddenly my lifelong fear returned
upon me with new terror that 10
language can express. Perhaps the
dread horror had come, and / had been
buried alive at last! The thought was
so appalling that for some moments l
remained paralysed. Then / seemed
gathered into one great agony, which
sent forth the most wild, piercing
sbrieks of despair that ever issned from
mortal lips.


Yes, it was a truth! My forebodings
had ended in a reality, and / was now
the tenant of coffin, if net q grave
With another shrek l turned in nay
narrow house, gathered in my strength
as it were, and threw it from me with
what seemed the bursting power of a
giant. There came sharp crack; my
prison seemed slightly to expand, and
/ fancied felt change of air. 1rested
q moment, prayed God to help me, and
repeated the effort with even greater
power. There was no resisting this
The coffin lid was burst asunder with
crash, and my limbs and body were free
in the awful darkness which enveiePed
ma-tbe rayless darkness of a tomb!