Seba Smith

“ Having braced their nerves with a drink of brandy, they proceeded to Jacob Rider's.
"Jake, give us a horse and chaise to take a ride three or four hours," said Joe. You needn't mind setting up for us; we'll put the horse up when we come back, and take good care of him; we know where to put him. We don't want a nag; an old steady horse that will give us an easy, pleasant ride."
"Old Tom is jest the horse you want," said Jacob, "and there's a good easy going chaise." ”

“ What say to a post mortem examination?"
"I always dislike them," said Doctor Longley; "they are ugly uncomfortable jobs; and besides, I doubt whether the deacon's folks would consent to it."
"It is important for us, as well as for the cause of the science, said Doctor Stubbs, "that something should be done about it. We are both young, and it may have an injurious bearing upon our reputation if we are not able to give any explanation of the case. ”

“ When Jacob Rider found himself alone in the chaise, being convinced that Joe and Rufus would not come back to trouble him that night, he turned about and drove back to the burying-ground.
"Now," said Jake, "I think the best thing I can do, for all concerned, is to put Polly Gray back where she belongs, and there let her rest."
Accordingly Jake went to work and opened the grave again, carried the corpse and replaced it as well as he could; and filled up the grave and rounded it off in good order. He then took his horse and chaise and returned home, well satisfied with his night's work. ”

“ Still he resolved to be quiet and see it all through. Once or twice they stopped and seemed to be listening, as though they thought they heard some noise. Then he could hear them whisper to each other, but could not understand what they said. ”

“ Gray, for you don't know what a desput case she is in; I daren't leave her a minute."
"You are always scared half to death," said the deacon, "if anything ails Polly; but you know she always gets over it again. Here's coffee and tea and some other notions rolled up in this bag," handing her another bundle to carry into the house.
"Well, but Mr. Gray, don't pray stop for bundles or nothin' else. You must go right over after Doctor Longley, and get him here as quick as you can."
"Oh, if it's only Doctor Longley she wants," said the deacon carelessly, "I guess she aint so dangerous, after all." ”

“ The door was partly open, and Joe said "Come in." No one entered, but in a few moments the rap was heard again. "Come in," said Joe. Still no one entered. Presently a figure, concealed under a cloak and with muffled face, appeared partly before the door, and said something in a low voice. Joe looked wild and agitated. Some college scrape, he thought, but what was the nature of it he could not divine. The figure looked mysterious. Presently the voice was heard again, and understood to utter the word Palmer. Joe was still more agitated, and looked at his chum most inquiringly. ”

“ Before their conference was brought to a close, the deacon called them, saying he believed Polly was a going. They came into the room and hastened to the bedside.
"Yes," said Doctor Stubbs, looking at the patient, "those are dying struggles; in a short time all her troubles in this life will be over."
The patient sunk gradually and quietly away, and in the course of two hours after the arrival of Doctor Stubbs, all signs of life were gone. ”

“ Joe laughed, and whispered to Rufus that Jake had hit nearer the mark than he was aware of.
Jacob selected another chaise. "There is one," said he "wide enough for three to ride in, and even four upon a pinch."
"That'll do," said Joe; "now put in old Tom."
The horse was soon harnessed, and Joe and Rufus jumped into the chaise and drove off.
"Confound these college chaps," said Jacob to himself as they drove out of the yard; "they are always a sky-larkin' somewhere or other. There's one thing in it, though, they pay me well for my horses. But these two fellows wanting such a broad chaise ”