The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-01-04
hole Number 1858
The Dead wife.

|
In comparison with the loss of wife, all other
bereavelnents are trifss. The wife! she who fills
so large space in the domestic heaven, she who
is so busied so unwearied in aboring for the prec-
ious ones around her-bitter is the tear that falls
on her cold cl;y. You stand beside her CT fin and
think of the past. 1t seems an ambered colored
pathway, where the sun shone upon beautiful
flowers, or the stars hung glittering everhead.-
Fan would the soul linger there. No thorns are
| remembered above the sweet clay, save those our
hand may have unwistingly planted. Her n"ble.
tender heart lies open to your inmost sight. You
think of her now as all gentleness, all beauty and
purity. But she is dead. The dear head that
laid upon your bosom, rests in the still darkness,
upon pillow of clay. The hands that have min
istered untiringly, are folded, white and cold,
beneath the gloomy portals The heart whose ey-
cry beat measured eternity of love lies under your
feet. The flowers she bent over with smiles, bend
now above her with tears, shaking the dew
from their petals that the verdure around her may
be kept green and beautiful.
Many husband may read this in the silence Of
broken home. Th sre is no white your
shoulder; speaking face to look up in the eye OF
sad" .-s...a.-s.1. ..-
The little one whose nest death has ri1ed ga-.
zes in wonder at your solsmn face, puts up his tiny
hand to stay the teas and then nestes back to his
fathers breast half conscious that the wing that shell!
tered it most fondly, is broken.
There is so strange a hush in every room !! no
light footstep passing round. No smile to greet
nd tho old cir tcls nd
strikes and strikes and ticks! it such music when
she could hear it! Now it seems to knell only the
hours through which you watched the shadows OF
death gathering upon her sweet face.
1t strikes onel the fatal time when the death
warrant rang out-''thsre is no hope" Two she
lies pIacidly siill-sometimes smiling family, some
times grieyng little, for she is young to tread the
valley of the shadow. Three! The babe has
been brought in, its little face laid on her bosom
for the last time. -Four! her breath becomes faint
er, but a heavenly joy rradiates her brow. Five!
There is slight change-O! that she might live!
Father spare her.
s.Thy will be done.''
1t was her soft broken accents. Yes! Heaven
Iy Friend, who gavest her to bless me-Tny will
be done
Six! there are footsteps near. Weaping friends
around. She bids them firewe as she murmurs.
"meet me in heaven" The damp drops gather
upon her pallid features the seventh hour. She
lies very stl-sometimes she hears sweet music.
Eight! passing away SO geDtlyl But her hand ye
cngs to yours, and so she lies while that old house
clock tolls forth Observation-Disclosures solemn
strokes. You spring to your feet. The lips are
sti-cold TO your lips. The small hand has fall
len back; its touch grown icy. She is gone. She
will never speak to you again on earth. You
must bear that cold gaze that 1--we so lately kindled
and you fall weeping at her side.
And every day that old clock repeats that old sto
ry. Many other tales it telleth too-of joys past
of sorrows shared, of beautiful words and deeds
that are registered above You feel-O! how of
ten, that the grave canuot keep her. You know
she is in a happier world yet that sometimes she
| is by your side an angel presence You look al
your innocent babe and think that seraph is guar
ding it. Cherish these emotions, they will make
you happier. Let her holy presence be charm
| to keep you from evil. In all new and pleasant
connections, give her spirit place in your heart.
| Never forget what she has been to you-that she
has loved you. Be tender to her memory-so may
you meet her with soul unstaned-a bright and
beautiful spirt-bride, where shall say any
| more forever .sshe is dead."-.Hrs. Dedtson--Ot-
ire Branch.