The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-04-05
A Masonic Funeral.
BY "CoRRINE."

In June, 1884, u steamer wended
its way up the Mississippi. Twas
in the gray and early morning, and
listlessly the curling smoke from the
steam pipes floated away on the still
calm air. The noisy rumble of the
water wheels, plowing Though the
rapl current, grated harshly on the
ear of the sad hearts on board, for
the "dark messenger of DEATH" hov.
cred there. The sunken eye and hol'
low cheek told but too well of that
insidious foe, Cholera. And the
many little mounds. scattered along
the river bank, pointed to the lont
graves of the western travellers, who
sleep far from home, victims to that
fearful scourage. No loving HAND
to wipe the death damps from theil
brow, or bear to their loved ones the
last sad tokens of fathers undyins
love.
At this early day, comparatively
few steamers piled this mighty thor
oughfare, and the pioneers Of the lit
tie towns hailed with joyful pleasure
every one that neared the landing
But CONSERVATION assumed the place
of Joy when it became known tha
four OF the passengers were dead
awaiting interment, and another dy
ing. All were to be left Oh shore
A litter was hastily prepared to con
vey the dying man, and carefully
they removed him to the only hote
the little village OF La Crosse ther
boasted. He was barely conscious
but powerful stimulent revived him
and rallying his sunken faculties, h'
asked if there was member OF thu
Masonic fraternity present Fortu
nately the two attending gentlemen
and the physician all belonged to tina
order. "His dark eye flashed will
an intelligent and thankful express
ion, he family murmured, "rhanl
God, | shallnot die alone" and thei
in broken accents, he told his mourn
iul story. How the "mania' to visi
the great west had taken possession
OF him, and against the fond remon
strances of his devoted wife, he left
beautiful home on the banks OF tn
Hudson, and two beautiful children
The tears ran down his wasted chcel
as he remembered how long ant
pleadingly she besought him not t.
leave her, telling him she had pre-
sentiment i'll would beti,te him; sh
could not be reconciled, and clung t.
his neck until the hour of his depart
ure, almost heartboken, She babe hin
adieu, saying, 1--WE shall never, neve
meet again. Prophetic words
"Dear friends, j have ten thousan
dollars in currency on my person
which l wish sent to her. Oh m
brothers, by the mystery of our hol
order, break the news gently TO hel
Tell her, all /! tell her while this poo
brain clung to reason, and this fon
heart continued to beat its warmes
and best pulsations were for her.
The remembrance of her sweet, geI
tie face will go with me through I'll
"dark valley" and light my way
paradisej and the proudest legacy
can bequeath to her, is the honor I
once being the wife of Royal Arc
Mason. 1t robs death OF its bite
ness to know my brothers are wi
me in this dark hour, to feel til,
may 60 with me to the brink of II
t"valley," and sprinkle the never d
ing "Acacia" above my sleepiI
dust"
He closed his eyes from exhau
tion, and his mind wandered. Aga
he stood in his boyhood's home, al
leeeiyed the approving smile fro
'this proud old father. Once aga
he strolled on the beautiful and r
mantle banks OF the "Highlands
1aud clasped the lovely form of b
beautiful girl vile to his proud, war
breast, breathing, in low, gent
tones, those fond murmurings OF lo'
that foated away in never dying ha
mony. Then came from his dyir
tips the beautiful words OF the Psair
list, 81 am ths) resurrection and Il
life, saieth the Lord. Yea, thoue
I walk through the valley and sha'
/. low Of death, ] will fear no evil"
"PsIipes darling, did you put OF
the gas 2 tits SO dark. M poor, de-
wife, Pauline r. and the echo of tn
tfe,fd ssme SasA &sftsd beyond u
"dsrk river" whose silent banks u