St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-09-11

For the St. Charles Republican Intelligencer

For the st. Charles Republican Inteligencer.
MEssRs. EDroRs The following in
cidents in the history of Dea. Samuel
chatham and family are furnished me
by his daughter, with the request thai
/ would weave them together in poet
ic form for publication. Should the
effort SO far meet your appreciation al
to induce you to give space to it il
the columns of the Intelligencer,
you will crafty at least one
Constant READER.
Mr.. chatham died during the summer o
1852, aged 20 years, at Beckett, Mass. He hat
resided beneath the same roof sixty years, du
ring which time death had never entered tht
dwelling. There he had reared seven children
five sons and two daughters-three of whom
were married in early life, and two quickly los
their companions. Mr.. chatham had lons
been suffering under chronic disease, but OF
the morning of Harriet's wedding, lat whose
request write) and her departure to Racine
Wis, he rode some twenty-five miles to obtain
for her his daguerreotype. At the time of hi
death, which occurred seven weeks after, only
three of the children were present. One wa
in New York and the remaining three in Ra
cine. He died of dysentery. The last three
or four days of his life were passed in such
profound stupor as to admit of no conclusion
as to the state of his mind at that time. Hi
remains were placed in metallic coffin ant
packed in ice to await the gathering of tn,
family group. After nine days all had arrived
except one who was on a wedding tour. Th'
customary funeral rites were performed on til,
the tenth day, and the honored dead was low
cred into vault especially prepared, and GOV
cred with a stone slab. Some three or fou
weeks after, the absent son arrived with hi
bride, and the mourning group again repaire,
to the tomb. The last fond look was taken
the final adieu spoken, stern manhoods tear
and fair womans sighs were freely mingled, an
they turned away feeling that, g No sorrow
like unto my sorrow.''
TO HARRIET -.
In vain, dearest H., do we ponder DER
The scenes OF the present, or those of yore,
In search of picture to gladden. thine eye,
Or restore to thy heart its gayety.
In vain do We point to the future bright,
Over all is cast a darksome blight
In vain do we seek fit words to express
Our sympathy deep, in thy loneliness.
Shall We sing of thy youth, of pleasures rare,
Of the loved home circle, of parent care
Shall we speak of the "seven," like links {
chain, a
Who thus far in life unbrOken remain;
Shall we speak of talents, of fame, of wealth
The treasures of genius, intellect, health;
VI the wedding group, so joyous hearted;
VI that bride and groom SO quickly parted?
Shall we speak of thine own, thy bridal hour
Was there fullness of joy? did no clouds lower
Did no dark shadow in the future loom!
No fearful forebodings of pain and gloom?
Didst list to thy mothers deeply drawn sigh,
Or mark that one sisters sad, fearful eye?
Alas full often, mid scenes of gladness,
Are mingled strange fears of death and sadness
Shall we sing of thy father forgetting his pain
His miniature fair, in his zeal to obtain!
But need we portray this last interview,
Or that loved memento, its value to you,
As far, far away, amid strangers you roam,
And weep o 'er its sameness in years to come !?
Need we tell of the grief that filled thy breas
As tidings of death were heard in the West
Again ye are there-the telegraph wire
Hath summoned thee home Thy bridal attir
Is exchanged for sable. In tremulOus tones
Thou art welcom'd back by that household lon
There vacant seat, darkened room,
A cast-of garment, death like gloom.
How changed the aspect! and well may y
weep
Thy father Is scragped in his winding sheet!
His love and protection you II share no more
Deaths entereda o mansion where never befor,
His trace was seen, and hath taken the chief,
Regardless Of wealth, affection or grief.
So deep were his slumbers, so easy his breath
His spirit departed unconscious of death.
His work is accomplished-his weary clay
Is awaiting in hope the Judgment day.
With atfectiOnate care, and worthy of note,
Each member is summoned, howe er remote
A coffin metallic, grave as rare,
Unheeding expense, thy brothers prepare:
And now We sit waiting with anxious fear
The funeral rites pending-there's one not here
From morn until noon, from noon till sunset
Ye have watched each train-but he comes no
vet
The Sabbath approaches and hope has fed
They bear on that loved one with measure,
tread,
To his last long rest. Yemust leave him there
No wall of thine, neither sorrow nor care
Shall break his slumbers-nor widow sighs
Awaken his former warm sympathies.
lis thus with the dead-though painful tn
thought
Death sunders all ties, and friends are forgot.
But list once again-we have words to tell
With emotions of joy thy bosom will swell
Thy brother has come, with astranger bride
From the altar direct to the sepulchre's side
What strange commingling OF JOY and woe,
AS slowly again to that grave We go!
The seven all here and that honored mother
This scene is heart-rending, unlike all other.
Up comes the long past in rapid review
Sad, bitter regrets-the final adieu-
Strong manhOOd's tears-the uplifted eye
Of that mother in silent agony,
AS she wrestles with God for her offspring dear
Assured of his aid and his presence near.
Through all life's journey, how blcss'd to fee
That ''earth hath no sorrow that Heaven cam
Some friendly hand at the vault is bid
To disclose the coffin and raise the lid,
And as We look down, could the spell hav
been broken, eis
Which bound his tongue, what would he hav
spoken
Of the the treasures of earth, or those of hea
ven,
If he might but ask, which to thee might b
given,
That should prove to thy soul q solace and sta.
When life with its changes shall have passet
away! ANTHI.
81. Charles, Ioxa, 1856.