Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-05-04

save the good may enter there
Il know, Colonel, but Christ's love is
boundess. This will point you the way,
please accept it. 'Tis Minnie's last request
and she offers him beautifully bound copy
Of the Bible, on whose gold clasp was in
scrbed simply the word Souvenir togeth-
er with her name, Minnie. He took il, and
as he did so, he raised the hond which gave
it to his lips and kissed it tenderly. Then
for nearly an hour he held it, while they
talked; but none ever knew aught she said
TO him, for he could never be brought to
speak Of that last hour, it was to him so
sacred, and through all his coming years
seemed to him the greeneSt spot to which
memory ere waited his worn and weary
spirit. When Col. Lincoln went from the
house he carried sadder though perhaps
better heart than he had ever dono before
After all it was no light thing for him to
throw away so basely that warm, true love,
and many compunctions, many twinges of
conscience followed him long weeks after
this farewell interview. He could not for
get that sweet, pale face with its bright
smile, as the fond hopes of future bliss
lighted it with joy; neither could he forget
those gentle words, the kind wishes, and
that true, heartfelt forgiveness. But for
this, he felt he should have been wretched
man. Now he could think of her some
times without such bitter pain. Had she
not said, 4 hope to meet you in Heaven
'Tis more than deserve, but oh, how dear
to my heart
After all, Col. Lincoln never loved again
as he once loved the bright little 'snowbird'
and when she died, much of the purest joy
of his heart went out forever Katie was
a noble looking, queenly womn; one to ad-
mire; to feel proud to claim as his wife;
but there was mono of that. sweet gentle
ness, that amiable, winning, loveable at
tractiveness in her every look, tone and
manner, which makes woman so truly dear,
and which Minnie possessed. This was her
ALL She was the brightest, the purest, the
sweetest and best of little human beings
one to love, because you couldn't help it
one to make the heart happy, because there
was ever such Joy radiating all around her
and ono to miss ever from the home circle
when once her voice was stilled, and hel
songs echoed no more through the old halls
Frank, as Minnie knew, was in his room
sleeping all the morning while Col Lncolr
was by her bedside. She had given Mel
strict order to admit no one else while he
was there, for we'll she knew it would no
answer to have them meet; at least sh
dreaded any such occurrence. She scare
knew why, only that Frank was rather un
forgiving. But he comes now into thu
room just as Col. Lincoln closes the outside
door and stepping to the window he see'
him passing down the walk.
Heavens he exclaimed, 'ain't that Col
Lincoln? What is the dog doing arount
here9 Twas we'll hesconcluded not to en-
ter
'Ob, brother says low, feeble voice
and he turns and sits down beside his poo
sinking sister. For long time no wore
was spoken; but Frank leaned his head up
on the bed and Mnnie's hand passed caress
ugly over it, and her heart went up t.
Heaven in silent prayer for this her deares
brother, that he might be sustained anc
supported through this bitter trial, and earl
to feel that God doeth all things WELL
Towards night her uncle Dunmore anC
wife, and her cousins came to see her, hav
ing received dispatch that morning telling
, of her declining health. Fannie and Char
lie we're now constantly in her room, an,
Clara as usual was wherever she could b
of most benefit.
They all saw with deep grief that Mir
q ME could stay but few more days at tn
t longest. For in consumption's ghastly forr
: death was coming now, and in a little tim
$ more death would claim her for his own
Someway there was less of terror this tim,
but oh, how they dreaded his approach, no
f withstanding. Minnie was ever Cheerful
: and seemed only patiently waiting. Wher
g ever her strength would permit, she taTke
J, to those around her calmly, pleasantly, an
spoke of dying as though twas only goin
to brighter land, and she longed to star
: She told them they too, would soon be con
ing, and the light upon her countenanc
!, was radiantly beautiful, as she spoke wit
d firm faith of the rest beyond the tomb
It which remains for the people of God. A
: length the hour of parting came. 'Tws
/; one of those lovely autumn days, neat
d whose bright blue ether and floating clouds
:; and balmy air we all delight to linge
o though in every breeze sad tones are sigt
IS ing, and all that is beautiful around US
whitening and dying.
6 Just as the last rays of sunlight fell sof
g ly DER the tree-tops, tinging all the lane
Q scape with ineffable brightness, and reacl
d Minnie's quiet room with few pale, gliu
8, meriug rays. She told them now she ws
d going home Yes, mother, am dyin
Il now. oh, brother, weep not. Minnie wi
IS soon be in Heaven. Bright angels hav
1t come for me; and, brother, It's pleasant I
% go. We shall all meet there. Farewell
n Charlie, Fannie, farewell all. oh, wee
q not when am gone, and with lips chile
1t with deaths cold touch, she kisses the love
% ones sho was leaving, and with Frank
e hand closely pressed in hers, the larg
'r bright eyes grew dim, the feeble pulse cease
n to beat, and the weary heart which Co
> Lincoln's broken VOWS had crushed, lay me
}. tionless and stiled. The gentle spirit ha
d winged its way back, and a bright ang,
n now forgets all the earth trials in the HON
q above, and her bird-ike songs will eve
e more be chanted upon those peaceful shore
!. and 10 the Savior's love she would new