The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-02

For DER Verona's home, his blackened wing
Was spread like a deep pail, while stricken bow
All hearts around the father, and they fling
Their tender like incense DER his bed,
And all refuse now to be comforted
V.
He died mankind do most often die
AS he had lived but whether Lucifer
Or Gabriel claimed his spirit, is beyond my
Province to inquire; but there was great stir
Among the members Of his femi.y;
He also had warm biographer,
Who wrote his virtues out into column,
Which most aattering and very solemn
The secret of the general tribulstion
Was not so much for wondrous love- / fear,
As money, which Oft begets expectation,
And at the funeral, many tear;
For the deceased filled important station,
And was a very wealthy mortal here
So many hoped, as he had left will.
That they were mentioned in a codcil
But when the will was openly declared,
1t was a wonder, as the Psalmist said,
To many; and some who i'll had Jared
Almost despised the memory of tho dead
And whether he was happy little cared
Then in their usual ways they rudely sped
| I've thought betmes, mans last testament
| Was Satan very best embodiment.
| For wills have caused more woe and aggravation,
More tears heart achings cruel words and curses
| And also more protracted litigation,
| Than all was worth in all the dead mems purses.
| To write an essay in thor condemnation,
Howe'er. is not the object Of these verses;
| I'll only add, ria parenthesis,
/ That : bad will is the wrong road to bliss
| The goodly heritage ~ ich was pOssest
In point was giva II ost unequay.
| The sons received iuuch than all tho rest
custom which seems prevalent to be;
But It's a strange, unnatural behcst
| The justice of which could never SEQ
| For mans greater ability and sense
| Give him more means to get competence.
| Chief of the lands unto the eldest son
| Was given, which was dangerous knowledge
| To greet the of one like Clarendon,
Who was giddy fellow, yet in college,
| And seemed disposed reckless race to run;
| But this of course would greatly turn the edge
| OF his most natural and deep affection,
Now ho was rich, and freed from all restriction.
| XII
| The youngest also had generous share
OF the estate, not yet to manhood come;
But, like greedy lion in ais lair,
| Coucbant he kept himself within his home
| Prepared to seize tho first who entered there
If thoy required from him the smallest sum
| He was tyrant from his cradle bred,
| And of the household now assumed the head
| XII
unto my eldest daughter ran the will.
"Thc wife Of f. f Skip, give one dollar,
| Which is her entire portion, wiH or MIL,
And if my wife or children shall recall her
| Home, c on the humblcst service to fulfil
In future time, whatever shall bcfal her,
| Or if to her they give single profit
| All their share in my estate they forfeit"
XIII.
| Minerals portion was a handsome ono
| But to Verona was n tract of land
| Both waste and poor, and quite suburban
| And this was all she had at her command
There was unto Minervas provision,
That she should give Verona's living, and
In all things should be careful to direct her,
Az a kind of custom house inspector
XIV.
The mother had her thirds during her life
So long, this instrument eccentric said,
As she remained his mourning, widowed wife
But If (alas hereafter she should wed
The property with which she then was rife
Should all without reserve be forfeited
Twas said she had heart paralysis.
When she first learned her husbands avarice.
Some people talked vchemcnty and long
About the gross injustice of the way
OF giving that which to Verona should belong.
Unto her sisters option to puryoy
Verona keenly felt herself the wrong,
But was not heard to murmur or to say
That this like all her suferngs was not well,
Or that she should against tho thing rebel.
But when Minerva came to know her power
Dark thoughts of hate grew wildly in her heart
And then the unloved sister felt each hour
New wounds from which thoro was unccasng
smart.
Within the dust, like some lone, trampled flower,
She lived from all lifes loneliness apart.
BY whom to hor could comfort now be given
With the reviving rains of summer heaven,
XVII
There her pastor, a pure man OF God
In spirit and in name, who ever
His people on his heart with ephod
As wore the sacerdotsl men of yore;
But theirs was set with gems; his was rod
That blossomed flowers of peace, goodwill, and
Like those which bloomcd upon the rod Of Aaron,
And all were slips from of the Rose of Sharon.
To him she sought for counsel In her woe;
For now all hearts bound by kindred tic
Were turned against her, as n strcamlet's flow
Dashes with remorseless sound awry
Some solitary lily's breast Of snow,
Whose face is upturned prayerful to the sky
81 must away" with many tears. she said.
"Henccforth I'll labor for my daily bread
Far from this place have worthy friend,
With children two the pastor thus replied
"Sho has just written, asking mo to send
A lady. teacher, who well qualified,
Has department can recommend
As truthful, courteous. and digni6edi
She adds If such an ono bo found for me,
In oil things as a daughter shall she be-
Xxx
ITO her, if you shall choose, my friend bersaved'
Can you depart, with my uncoasing prayer,
That with the thorns fair flowers may be inwreathed
Beside your daily path Of lovo and care
And that the III o'or which you long have grieved
Nav be by God forgiven and o child, whste'er