The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-10-28
by LIZZIE A. WILDER.


The morning of tho twenty third of Au-
gust, 1858, dawned upon a family circle,
now all gathered for the last time in tho
homo of their childhood. They were all, oil
thero, father, mother, sister, brother but
every heart was mantled with sorrow, every
brow wore shade of sadness, and every
voice betrayed emotion deep and painful.
Evcn a careless observer would have dis
cerned that somo great burden lay upon
every miud, that somo weghty sorrow was
lowering around that family group, and its
deepening darkening shadow already envel-
oped the household. And so it was. Since
tho paronts first planted their family tree,
that circle had remained Dnbroken, and it
now numbered nine. But now that their
first born, their eldest son and brother, was
about to 60 forth into cold and frieniless
world, to walk alone tho thorny pathway of
life unaided by fathers counsel and
mothers over kindly ministOring hand.
loving hearts peered anxiously and forebo-
dinghy into the darkly yelled future, and
strong and gentle hands were involuntarily
put forth to romove tho obstacles which
Imagination already saw rising in his path
lie was young man of raro promise, pos.
sessing talent of more than an ordinary
order, an unblemished reputation, q oultiva-
ted and we'll balanced mind, heart over
flowing with kindly sympathics and full of
noble, gone;ons impulses. Loving truth
and eQuity,h was over firm in thoir support
and mintained the right uufaleeringly
though pleasantly, in all his intercourse
with mankind, aud over won the esteem
and affection of those with whom no mingled
We'll might tho hearthstone DO shrouded
in gloom, and loving hearts throb with sor
row, when ono like George departed from
them.
= Rapidly tho morning passed. and ther'
flowed from eyes all unused to weep, as will
swelling heart and faltering tongues tn,
last adieus were uttered aud from true heart
went up tho unspokon prayer, to tho thron
OF God, "Holy Father keep our loved one.
For tho last time his foot paused upon tn
+ threshold, and he cast lingering look upol
each familiar object, and departed. He ha
gazed for tho last time upon the pleasan
home of his childhood, and now with laud
able ambition, high hopes and fiatterin
prospects, 10 sought homo and fortune i
tho West. With him bis father counsele
}, and upon his judgment relied; he was tn
L staff upon which his mother hoped to lea
= in lfos declining years, and to him brother
and sisters looked for aid and counsel, cor
ident that George would adviso Alright. OIL
how much of tho glad sunshine of that haI
!. py homo vanished with his loved presence
d To those sorrowing hearts it seemed alread
as though the grave had closed over hin
for to their spirits was given q dim for,
shadowing of the coming i'll.
Time rolled on and tidings camo from tt
loved wandorer. lilo had passed throup
u central and southern Iowa, and joinod
= friend and companion of bis early schoo
days, in Nebraska. Oh, how often amid h
wanderings his heart turned back to th
home and friends he had left. upon whic
no had gazod for tho last time, though |
spirit he oft mingled with the dear ones q
home, and his cor drank in the sweet melod
> Of thoir loved voices; but tho sad roalit
would come and vanish those bright vision
of homo.
x Days passed away, and again tidinl
came, but those lines wore not traced in ii
i familiar handwriting of the dear abseu
T, one With fearful eye and trembling han
his frIond had writton, for the hand of dil
easo lay heavily upon the wanderer. Alon
amid strangers and prostrated by diseai
- was the man of strength. vigor and hithort
unbrokon .hoalth; yet Lewis spoke hops
fully of tho termination of that illness
Is, Medical aid was procured, but avaiied nough
- Strangers ministered kindly to him. an
his youthful friend was with him CONSTANT,