I have been hanging around the town a week
or longer, trying to get in on some train. Not succeeding in my object
this way, I have been obliged to walk in by night, concealing myself
in the daytime, and walking forward again in the darkness. Thus I have
eluded them, and got in. But so far I have been unable to find you,
and now I fear it too late, for I am sick with the fever in the
hospital.
"I have given myself up to die, for they are not especially kind or
attentive to me, as they think I ought to have stayed away, and not
come in and added to their labors, as they have more of their own sick
than they can attend to.
"O Agnes, what I would give just to see you before I die, just to hear
your voice! But this is a judgment upon me for the way I have treated
you. Perhaps you are dead too. If so, then I shall meet you very soon
in the other world. If you are not dead, and you get this letter,
then, for the sake of the olden times, don't hold any malice toward
me, but forgive me in my grave. I have given my watch and some money
to the nurse here, to get him to give you this letter. I would like
you, to buy it from him and send it, if possible, to mother, for it
belonged to my father. Good by, Agnes, good-by. Meet me in
heaven.
George."
The tears were running down the pale face of Miss Arnold, and the
dead-wagon man was in a perfect fever of excitement, but he did not
speak till she raised her eyes from the letter, when he spluttered
out:
"Lor' bless you, Missus Agonyness, I hope there ain't no Yaller Jeck
in that there letter.
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