A Woman's Life-Work — Labors and Experiences of Laura S. HavilandHaviland, Laura S. (Laura Smith)
Religion
A Woman's Life-Work — Labors and Experiences of Laura S. Haviland
Haviland, Laura S. (Laura Smith)
Freed persons; Haviland, Laura S. (Laura Smith), 1808-1898; Underground Railroad
Little did I think of the heavier stroke which was first to fall. A few
days after this dream I was charging myself with being visionary; yet a
few of these most impressive dreams, I believe, have been designed for
our instruction. My husband was seized with a heavy cold, accompanied
by a severe cough, that was increasing; yet he was able to be about the
house and barn, giving directions, as to outdoor work, but nothing
appeared alarming, when I was aroused by a startling dream of a coffin
being brought into our front room by four men, of whom I inquired who
was dead. The answer was, "A connection of yours." "I want to see him,
for that coffin appears to be for a small man," was my reply. "He is a
small man," was the rejoinder, "and you shall see him." Upon this, the
closed coffin was brought to me, and I arose and followed the
pall-bearers to the graveyard. As the people were standing around the
open grave to see the coffin lowered, I saw a little child standing on
the very edge of the grave opposite to me. I exclaimed, "Do take that
child away, for it will cave into the grave after its father!" At that
instant the light sand under its feet gave way, and, as it struck the
coffin, the loud, hollow sound awoke me, trembling as with a fit of
ague, and with the strong impression that I was soon to part with my
beloved companion and infant daughter, although both were sweetly
sleeping by my side. With this thrill through my whole being, I
resorted to prayer for their restoration to health, if consistent with
the divine will.
Although my husband had enjoyed good health a number of years, and had
not for seven years previously called upon a physician, yet I now
resolved to persuade him to call for one at once. As the clock struck
four, and as I was leaving the bed to light the fire, my husband awoke,
and said he had enjoyed the most refreshing sleep he had had since
taking this cold, and felt so well he thought he soon should be rid of
it. Whenever I spoke the chattering of my teeth revealed my agitation,
and he expressed fear lest I should be ill from the hard chill. But
little did he understand the upheavings of my troubled heart. Soon a
severe paroxysm of coughing gave the opportunity to suggest the idea of
sending for a physician. At length he consented, as he said, to please
me, as he thought this cough would soon give way. But while I went to
our boy's study room to awaken our son Harvey to go for the doctor, a
severe pain in the region of the lungs was cutting every breath.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account