-
Articles/Ads
Article THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Living And The Dead.
_ ' At every change I got clown and inquired how my relative bore the journey , and when it was nearl y half over , she whispered me that she really was easier , although she could not help thinking she should never return to London . She took a little refreshment without leaving the coach . " About an hour after this , on stopping to change horses on the road , at a large stabling without a houseI approached the doorwhen the
, , elder ' friend' beckoned me cautiousl y , and on opening the door she said , ' Friend , this life is wearisome , and it is well to be at rest ; thy relative , whom as thou didst probably expect wouldst soon part from thee , is alas ! departed . ' The soft expression of these few words , conveyed the awful truth like tbe whisper of a seraph . I never felt as I then did ; but looking at the clear object , I observed that all the care had been bestowed with the most affectionate tenderness ; in her last moments she
had not been deserted—the younger friend sat b y her , a handkerchief had been put over her face ; the figure appeared to ' be sleeping . " A few words sufficed to explain , that throughout the day she had gradually felt a most distressing weakness oppressing her ; and that at length tbe indications of the last hour were too clear to be mistaken ; the two friends exchanged their thoughts without word—and
a performed the last offices for the dead . " On the counsel of the two 'friends' it was agreed to wait until the arrival at the next town , before the distressing intelligence should be developed . I was of course most anxious to take my seat inside ; but no , the same delicacy of feeling prevented this , to me , obligatory duty — ' She is of our sex , friend , and we woulcl be alone . ' Was not this truly sisterly ?
' But what a contrast on reaching the next stage ! On my stating the facts first to the coachman and passengers , I found in the one , vexation , it is true , but no feeling ; in the others , a sign of more horror than of sympathy . The landlord , at whose house the coach stopped , was alarmed at the idea of the body being taken in , as a coroner ' s inquest must be held , ancl the custom of his house would for the time be affected ; ancl , besides , so much inconvenience would follow . One person sug - that the remains
gested of my dear relative should be taken to this place , and others elsewhere , and so forth . Her protectors inside the coach would not quit her until they were satisfied with the steps about to be taken . I tried to reason with the landlord ; I asked , I implored of several to permit me to have a temporary lodging for the dead . I asked as a son for his mother—all were dumb , or denied my prayer . Providence , however , brought me aid ; a respectable gentleman , seeing tbe crowd
, came up just as I was uttering words to the effect , that I wished the kindness of those females in the coach coulcl be but felt by others ; they had acted as sister to sister , while I could find none to act by me in distress as ' brother to brother , '— ' Say not so , ' cried the gentleman ' let me know how I can serve you . ' _ The untoward secret of death was soon explained ; on the instant some of those who had heen dumb , spoke at his bidding , for he had on occasions the instrument of
many , as Providence , restored them from seeming death to renewed health he was the parish surgeon . To iiis house the remains of my mother-in-law were conveyed , and I became his guest ! " I parted with the kind friends ' , with tears it is true , but those tears were not of bitterness but of thankfulness ; they had made death appear
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Living And The Dead.
_ ' At every change I got clown and inquired how my relative bore the journey , and when it was nearl y half over , she whispered me that she really was easier , although she could not help thinking she should never return to London . She took a little refreshment without leaving the coach . " About an hour after this , on stopping to change horses on the road , at a large stabling without a houseI approached the doorwhen the
, , elder ' friend' beckoned me cautiousl y , and on opening the door she said , ' Friend , this life is wearisome , and it is well to be at rest ; thy relative , whom as thou didst probably expect wouldst soon part from thee , is alas ! departed . ' The soft expression of these few words , conveyed the awful truth like tbe whisper of a seraph . I never felt as I then did ; but looking at the clear object , I observed that all the care had been bestowed with the most affectionate tenderness ; in her last moments she
had not been deserted—the younger friend sat b y her , a handkerchief had been put over her face ; the figure appeared to ' be sleeping . " A few words sufficed to explain , that throughout the day she had gradually felt a most distressing weakness oppressing her ; and that at length tbe indications of the last hour were too clear to be mistaken ; the two friends exchanged their thoughts without word—and
a performed the last offices for the dead . " On the counsel of the two 'friends' it was agreed to wait until the arrival at the next town , before the distressing intelligence should be developed . I was of course most anxious to take my seat inside ; but no , the same delicacy of feeling prevented this , to me , obligatory duty — ' She is of our sex , friend , and we woulcl be alone . ' Was not this truly sisterly ?
' But what a contrast on reaching the next stage ! On my stating the facts first to the coachman and passengers , I found in the one , vexation , it is true , but no feeling ; in the others , a sign of more horror than of sympathy . The landlord , at whose house the coach stopped , was alarmed at the idea of the body being taken in , as a coroner ' s inquest must be held , ancl the custom of his house would for the time be affected ; ancl , besides , so much inconvenience would follow . One person sug - that the remains
gested of my dear relative should be taken to this place , and others elsewhere , and so forth . Her protectors inside the coach would not quit her until they were satisfied with the steps about to be taken . I tried to reason with the landlord ; I asked , I implored of several to permit me to have a temporary lodging for the dead . I asked as a son for his mother—all were dumb , or denied my prayer . Providence , however , brought me aid ; a respectable gentleman , seeing tbe crowd
, came up just as I was uttering words to the effect , that I wished the kindness of those females in the coach coulcl be but felt by others ; they had acted as sister to sister , while I could find none to act by me in distress as ' brother to brother , '— ' Say not so , ' cried the gentleman ' let me know how I can serve you . ' _ The untoward secret of death was soon explained ; on the instant some of those who had heen dumb , spoke at his bidding , for he had on occasions the instrument of
many , as Providence , restored them from seeming death to renewed health he was the parish surgeon . To iiis house the remains of my mother-in-law were conveyed , and I became his guest ! " I parted with the kind friends ' , with tears it is true , but those tears were not of bitterness but of thankfulness ; they had made death appear