Maryland free press., 1866-08-16
A MASONIC FUN ERAL.
DY ''CORINEg.

In June, steamer wended its way up
the Mississippi. Twas in the gay and
early morning, and listlessly the curling
smoke from the steam pipes foated away
on the still, calm air. The noisy rumble
of the water wheels. blowing through the
rapid current, grated harshly ON tho car, to
the sad hearts on board, for the Z" dark
messenger Of Death" lowered there. The
sunken eye,and followed cheeck, told but
too we'll that insidious foe, Cholera
And the many little mounds, scatterey a.
long the river bank, pointed to- the lone
graves of the western travellers, who sleep
far from home, victims to that fearful
scourge. No loving hand to wipe the
death dan,ps from their brow, or bear to
their loved ones the last sad tokens Of
fathers undying love. ''si .a4 '' .'f;" 7
AT this early day, comparatively few
steamers piled this mighty thorougE,re,
and the pioneers of the. little towns hailed
with joyful ll,asu every one that ncared
the landing. But CONSERVATION assumed
the place of joy when it became known
that four of the passengers were dead, a.
waiting imterment, and another dyiny.-
All were to be left on. the shore. \ litter
WAS hastily prepared to convey the dying
man, and carefully they removed him to
the only hotel the little village of La
Crosse then boastad. He was barely con-
scious, but powerful stimulant revived
him, and rallying lis sinking faculties, he
asked if there was a member Of the Mason
ic fraternity present. Fortunately the two
attending gentlemen and the physician ALI
blonged that order. = His dark eyes fash
e" with an Intelligent and thankful ex.
preston, he family murmurad. Thank
G"d, I shall not die a'onc," and then, iii
broken accents. he told his mournful story.
How the g mania to visit the great we;f
had taken possession of him, and against
the fond remonstrances of his devoted wife,
he left a beautiful home on the banks of
| the Hudson, and two beautiful children.
! Tile tears ran down his wasted check us he
! remembered how long and plcadingly she
bcsUught him. not to leave her, telling him
,he had a presentimcnt i'll would bctide
him; she could not be reconcilcd. and clung
to his neck until the hour IF Ills departure,
almost heart.brokon. She babe him adicu,
saying, we shall never, never meet a.
gain Prophetic wort.s. ~ Dear friends,
have ten thousand dollars in currency Oh
my person. which wish sent to her. Oh
my Brothers. By the mystery of our holy
order, break the news gently to her Tell
her, ali tell her while this poor brain
clune to, reason, and this fond heart con-
tiuued to beat, its warmcst and best pulsa-
tions were for her. The remembrance Of
her sweet face will 60 with me through the
dark valley" and light my way to para
disc; and the proudcst legacy [ cun be.
queath her. is the honor Of once beirg th,
rife efa Royd Arch 4Mison. II robs deatl
of its bitterness to know my brothers are
with me in this dark hour, to feel they ma,
go with me to the brink Of the "vullcy'
and sprinkle the never dying "Acacia" a.
bovc my sleeping dust:" ,g ~ -...
lie closed his eyes from exhaustion, ant
his mind wandered. Again he stood il
his boyhood's home, aud received the up
proving smile from his proud old father
Once again he strolled oil tho beautiful
and romantic banks of the Highlands :
and clasped the lovely form of his bcautifu
: girl wife to his proud, warm breast, breath
ing. in low. gentle tones, those fond mar
murings of love TINT foated away in new
er-dying harmony Then came from hi
dying lips the beautiful words Of th
Psalnist, "I am the resurrection and tn
: life. sayeth the Lord. Yea. though wall
!, through the valley and shadow of death,
will fear no evil" ..,,a, ,.;-,..... 4
~Pauline. darling, did you put out tn
|. gas? tits so dark. lhy poor. ie1' 9iE
Il Puatiae ~ aud the echo Of that fond main
wns waited beyond the Z" dark river,
z whose silent banks tie dying man had ju.
: crossed. The angel of death had leckon
IN Cd bis soul TO that far Of cline, where h