hich it discloses
are said to have occurred.

In the eastern part of Connecticut, not many years since, a young man
lay on his bed, very feeble and greatly emaciated, almost gone, as
everybody supposed but himself, with pulmonary consumption. And yet, up
to that very hour, the thought that his disease was consumption, had
never obtained a lodgment in his own mind for a moment. On the contrary,
he was still fondly hoping that sooner or later he should recover.

It was fortunately about the middle of the forenoon one day,--an hour
when his body and mind were in the best condition to endure it,--that
his listening ear first caught from those around him the word
_consumption_. Starting up, he said, "Do you think my disease is
consumption?" They frankly told him their fears. "And do you think," he
added, "that I must die?" They did not conceal longer their real
sentiments.

He was for a few moments greatly distressed, and seemed almost
overpowered. At length, however, a reaction came, when, raising his head
a little, he deliberately but firmly exclaimed, "I can't die, and I
won't die." After a few moments' pause and reflection, he said, "I must
be got up." His attendants protested against the effort, but it was to
no purpose. Nothing would satisfy him but the attempt. He was bolstered
up in his bed, but the effort brought on a severe fit of coughing, and
he was obliged to lie down again.

The next forenoon, at about the same hour, he renewed the request to be
got up. The result was nearly as before. The process, however, was
repeated from day to day, till at length, to the great joy and surprise
of his friends, he could sit in his bed fifteen or twenty minutes. It is
true that it always slightly increased the severity of his cough; but
the paroxysm was no worse at the twentieth trial than at the first,
while he evidently gained, during the effort, a little muscular
strength. It was not many weeks before he could sit up in bed for an
hour or more, with a good degree of comfort.

"Now," said he, "I must be taken out of bed and placed in a chair." At
first his friends remonstrated, but they at length yielded and made the
attempt. It was too much for him; but he persevered, and after a few
repeated daily efforts, as before, at length succeeded. Continuing to do
what he could, from day to day, he was, ere long, able to sit up a
considerable time twice a day.

He now made a third advance. He begged to be placed in an open c