The Daily Herald

The Mother of Erskine the Poet.--There is a remarkable circumstance connected with the history of Ralph Erskine—a fact well authenticated in the part of Scotland where his family lived. His mother "died and was buried," some years before he was born. She wore on her finger, at the time of her death, a rich gold ring, which, from some domestic cause or other, was much valued by the family. After the body was laid in the coffin, an attempt was made to remove the ring, but the hand and finger were so much swollen that it was found impossible. It was proposed to cut off the finger, but the husband's feelings revolted at the idea. She was therefore buried with the ring on her finger. The sexton, who was aware of the fact, formed a resolution to possess himself of the ring. Accordingly on the same night he opened the grave and coffin. Having no scruples about cutting off the finger of a dead woman, he provided himself with a sharp knife for the purpose. He lifted the stiff arm, and made an incision by the joint of the finger. The blood flowed, and the woman arose and sat up in her coffin! The grave digger fled with affright, while the lady made her way from her narrow tenement, and walked back to the door of her dwelling, where she stood without, and knocked for admittance. It was about eleven o'clock at night. Her husband, who was a minister, sat conversing with a friend. When the knock was repeated, he observed, "were it not that my wife is in her grave, I should say that was her knock." He arose hastily and opened the door. There stood his dear companion, wrapped in her grave clothes, and her uplifted finger dropping blood. "My Margaret!" he exclaimed. "The same," said she,—"your dear wife, in her own proper person. Do not be alarmed." Many, very many, I firmly believe, have been buried alive, but few, like her, have returned to tell the tale. The lady in question, however, lived seven or eight years after this occurrence, and became the mother of several children, among whom was the poet above spoken of.