Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-28

1HE Saudest case OF an1lcuOn, by the ire
quency of the visitations of death, which
have ever known, is that in the family of Mr..
Samuel A. Wiley Of this city. 1t is but
about twenty months since there gathered,
each day, around their table joyous, happy
family, consisting Of Mr.. Wiley and wife,
two boys, James and Edgar, the eldest and
| youngest Of their children, and two daughters.
One Of their number had been married
| short time before, and had left home. Sew
| eral years ago, they had buried three young
children. Their prospects for life were, at
the time of which l speak, as fair as they ever
had been, and Notwithstanding tbs rather del
| icate health OF some OF their number they
| looked forward, as most Of us do, to a bright
| future in life. But alas ! the angel of death
| often appears when most unexpected.
The frosts Of autumn were nipping the
beautiful flowers, and blackening their stalks,
when the blight OF death fixed itself upon the
| idol OF all their hearts. A slight cold at first
confined him indoors from his play. No
danger was apprehendcd from it, but within a
few short hours, that fatal disease membran-
Gus Group, made its appearance, and all that
could be done was of no avail. The sun was
uSl BlLulllS lllc GdSlcIll IOTlLOu, WIFI llllt
Edgar expired in his fathers arms. -Four
short years his presence had filled their home
with gladness. The absence Of his merry
laugh and childish prattle, left sad vacancy
in their hearts. But few months had passed
when James, the eldest child, was stricken
down by disease, and although it assumed but
mild form at first, it proved to be that most
deceitful one, consumption; and before mid
summer had come, all that was mortal of him
who had Just entered manhood with bright
anticipations, was consigned to the tomb.
| There are many touching incidents of atfec-
| ton for his dear ones, connected with his sick
ness of which might speak, but | forbear,
lest the wounds which time may have partial
ly healed, should be opened anew.
His death was sad stroke to the family
but to the mothers heart, time brought no
healing balm and when the next spring had
but just come, while the heecy snow was yet
piled high upon the graves of her young ones,
she too babe her loved ones adieu. She died,
another victim of the fell destroyer, con-
sumption. This keen af1iction fell most heav-
lily on the surviving ones, and to one it was a
stroke, which so naturally trail constitution
was unable to withstand. She was never
known to shed but a few tears, yet she droop-
ed and pinned with that silent grief, which is
often the most sad in its effects. Rosa was
about nine years of age. She had been af-
fcted with lameness from early childhood
and consequently had ever been by her moth
er's side, "a constant companion. 1t was sad
to see her fading, day by day. At first she
became very quiet, and would often sit for
hours without speaking word, unless spoken
to soon her playthings were neglected and
seldom were moved from their places. She
seldom spoke of her mother, but when asleep,
often in feverish restlessness, that loved name
would linger upon her lips. Her young
friends went to see her, carried flowers and
dainties to tempt her appetite, to charm her
thoughts from their fatal course, and often
would sit by her bedside and read from some
| favorite book. But all these attentions had
for her no lasting charm. A little more than
two months after her mothers death, while
SPRING time yet fingered, when the light of
day was fading, little Rosa fell asleep, to
wake no more on earth.
Sweet flower, too frail to flourish long,
When the parent stalk was dead
When the fragrance of a mothers love
Round her could not be shed.
Had not merciless Death done his work for
a while, in this bereaved family? Could he
not have passed from them, and left the re-
naming ones to comfort and cheer each other |?
| No! Again he comes, and this time the
young wife and mother is taken. Emma
whose health seemed to be failing for few
months, is cut down ere she had attained her
twentieth year just three years from the very
eve when she became the bride of him who
was the choice of her young heart, she be-
came the bride of death. 1t seems but yes
lerday when Jane was scattering her roses
alohg the pathway Of her who went forth from
nsr fathers house happy bride. And those
on ner friends ,ri,n who saw her in her youthful
,tb W. WIN .''l bridal wreath upon her head.
cheek, and JOY beaming in her eves "pU .,I ner
put think her future prospects fair ad b .io'
But VINO can tell what the changes If en- Cav.
short months may be? Jane noain IL h ~"
the earth is decked with beauty, but the ' Soo
tic Emma now lies with the wreath Of death