Opening the text

The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 2, August, 1862: Devoted to Literature and National PolicyVarious

History

The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 2, August, 1862: Devoted to Literature and National Policy

Name: The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 2, August, 1862: Devoted to Literature and National Policy
Author: Various

Various

Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals

The country was scoured for doctors. An eminent medical man from
New-Haven was sent for. He was unable to come; but the house was filled
with consulting physicians. Alas I they knew little in those days how to
treat this terrible malady, or rather how to skillfully let it alone.
Day after day, Joel paced up and down, now in this room, now in that,
all over the house. At night he watched by his wife. He insisted on
doing so; no argument or entreaty could prevail on him to leave her a
moment. She was delirious nearly all the time. Then her voice would be
strong, her eyes glassy bright, her cheeks flushed and burning. She
recognized neither husband nor child.

       *       *       *       *       *

It was in the middle of the night. The 'watcher' who sat up in company
with Joel, slumbered in his chair. He did not slumber, but sat with eyes
fixed on his wife, who for some time seemed to be resting easier than
before. Presently her lips moved. Her husband bent over her.

'Joel.'

'I am here, my darling.'

'Joel.'

'Yes, dearest.'

'We have not lived right'

'No, dear.'

'You do not think we have lived right, do you?'

'No, oh! no.'

'I am going to die, Joel.'

'Do not speak in that way!' and the poor fellow groaned, in spite of
every effort to control himself.

'I must, Joel, I must. We have not lived right _You_ will live right
when I am gone. You will teach Sarah to live right, won't you?'

'I don't want to live at all if you do not live!' was the passionate
answer.

'For our child's sake, Joel.'

No reply.

'What a kind, loving husband you have been to me--been to me always! I
loved you--loved you before you knew it, Joel.' Here she opened her eyes
languidly, and essayed to turn them on him. 'But we have not lived
right.'

There was still no response, save by audible sobs.

'I think I have made my peace with God. Are you glad, Joel?'

'Now I don't care what happens, if you only feel happy!' he cried. 'But
to have you die in distress of mind! It would drive me crazy.'

'Give God the praise, Joel. I _am_ happy. It is so sweet to trust in
Him! You won't neglect--neglect--you won't----' She fell into a stupor,
from which she never fully awoke. Although she lived another day, she
exhibited no signs of consciousness. Joel fancied that she was aware of
his presence; but she never spoke again.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 2, August, 1862: Devoted to Literature and National PolicyVarious

History

The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 2, August, 1862: Devoted to Literature and National Policy

Various

Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals

The country was scoured for doctors. An eminent medical man from
New-Haven was sent for. He was unable to come; but the house was filled
with consulting physicians. Alas I they knew little in those days how to
treat this terrible malady, or rather how to skillfully let it alone.
Day after day, Joel paced up and down, now in this room, now in that,
all over the house. At night he watched by his wife. He insisted on
doing so; no argument or entreaty could prevail on him to leave her a
moment. She was delirious nearly all the time. Then her voice would be
strong, her eyes glassy bright, her cheeks flushed and burning. She
recognized neither husband nor child.

       *       *       *       *       *

It was in the middle of the night. The 'watcher' who sat up in company
with Joel, slumbered in his chair. He did not slumber, but sat with eyes
fixed on his wife, who for some time seemed to be resting easier than
before. Presently her lips moved. Her husband bent over her.

'Joel.'

'I am here, my darling.'

'Joel.'

'Yes, dearest.'

'We have not lived right'

'No, dear.'

'You do not think we have lived right, do you?'

'No, oh! no.'

'I am going to die, Joel.'

'Do not speak in that way!' and the poor fellow groaned, in spite of
every effort to control himself.

'I must, Joel, I must. We have not lived right _You_ will live right
when I am gone. You will teach Sarah to live right, won't you?'

'I don't want to live at all if you do not live!' was the passionate
answer.

'For our child's sake, Joel.'

No reply.

'What a kind, loving husband you have been to me--been to me always! I
loved you--loved you before you knew it, Joel.' Here she opened her eyes
languidly, and essayed to turn them on him. 'But we have not lived
right.'

There was still no response, save by audible sobs.

'I think I have made my peace with God. Are you glad, Joel?'

'Now I don't care what happens, if you only feel happy!' he cried. 'But
to have you die in distress of mind! It would drive me crazy.'

'Give God the praise, Joel. I _am_ happy. It is so sweet to trust in
Him! You won't neglect--neglect--you won't----' She fell into a stupor,
from which she never fully awoke. Although she lived another day, she
exhibited no signs of consciousness. Joel fancied that she was aware of
his presence; but she never spoke again.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 2, August, 1862: Devoted to Literature and National Policy

The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 2, August, 1862: Devoted to Literature and National Policy

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