Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-07-20
MISCELLANY Y.



For the Bellows Fails Times.
Thoughts Suggested on thc Sccond nniyer.
sary of the burial of "a dear friend.
Tho years have passed since our heart.
were pierced by the sad conviction that one
WHOM we ell loved was with us no more
Twas on just such a day as this that we
laid her away to rest the skies were as
clear and eloudless, the sun as shining and
bright, she sir nc warm ana Salmy, the
birds as merry and melodious, the forests as
resplendant with richness and beauty, and
the whole scene of nature attired in the
same gala dress of verdure and foliage as
we now behold, yet the bright Sunshine had
gone forth from 8 once happy home, and
left our hearts, oh, so dark and desolate. A
few hours before the dark form of Death
entered that happy family and selected the
pride of fond parents, the idol of an hither-
to unbroken band of sisters, the star of our
social circle, and the friend of ell who
knew her. Yes, twas even so; we PRAYED
with breaking hearts for her deliverance /;
but, alas! prayers, entreaties and agonizing
supplications were in vain, for we saw that
unerring archer aim his ever fatal shaft,
seize his prey in his own remorseless tai
ons and convey our precious Hattie away
to realms unknown, ieaving us with Iacer-
ated hearts and bleeding souls. And then,
when all the elements of nature and inani-
mate creation seemed combining to pro-
mote harmony and joy, friendly hands
wrapped her cold and lifeless form in a
garment of spotless purity, closed the blue,
lustpous eyes, placed a garland of sweetest
flowers among the golden tresses of her
sunny hair, another in the cold hand upon
the silent breast, and then laid her in that
narrow home appointed for the living o,
the bitter agony of those moments, when
we .gazed upon that beautious casket for
the last time. Although lovely in Gfs, yet
lovelier still in death, and must we resign
that form of loveliness to the voiceles keep
ing of the pitiless grave? 0, Lord, for
give us, if in our hearts we said, This suf-
fering is greater than we can endure
But as We gazed, new feeling seemed to
nefgffd9 aaye5Iv a, 7If' sm;i rasfino unon that
placid countenance, such an expression Of
perfect joy and peace as no earthly happi-
ness can ever impart, that told US Hattie
was among the holy angels. But the last
agonizing gaze was given, the last kiss i'm
printed upon the ashen lips, and then the
mortal remains of that idoli0ea being were
lowered from our sight foreUer. The damp
earth soon covered her and now is known
to stranger hearts only by mound Of
earth and sweet name carved upon silent
marble. Two years have passed since that
day, and now the bright flowers bloom and
fade Ger her grave, the wild winds wafi
and moan through the branches of the old
pine tree near which she was laid, the rude
storm beats ruthlessly, and again the sur
shines brightly Ger her final resting place
but Hattie knows not these changes, for hel
glad spirit, when freed from this clay tene
ment, scared away to HeaveR, that blessed
land where variation of season or joy i
never known. Two years have passet
since she left US for that state of blissfu
existence, and our hearts were made desc
late by bereavement. Only two years, AM
yet they seem so long to us, for the calen
! dar of those years are marked with tn
mutations, vicissitudes and disappointment
usually attending all experience in huma
life, and when we realize this, our thought
involuntarily turn to that land of fadeles
joys and unchanging happiness, and W
strive more diligently and pray more fel
yently TO finally meet that loved one VII
nov attends US as our guardian ange
Truly, 0, Lord, Thy ways are not as OF
ways, for out of seeming suffering com,
eternal joy N
PUTHEY, VI, June, 1860.