The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-11-13

EXTRAORDINARY OBITUARY NOTICE BY HER FATHER
AFFECTING SCENES or RECONCILIATION.
Mr. George Jones' who styles himself George the
Count Joannesa publishes an extraordinary obituary
notice Of his daughter the late beautiful and cele-
brated actress Avonia Brooks, nee Jones. He says:
"The name of Avonia was original, and formed by
me- as feminine Latinisafion of the name Avon
upon the banks of which Shakespeare was born; and
in her coffin it remarked By all she seemed the
very image of the Prince of Poets when, beardless
as youth, he must have appeared in happy sleep.
any now dead daughter, the Countess Avona
Jones-her legal title from her fathers title and
name-was born in the city of New York, at No 43
Barrow street, now Washington Place West, and in
the very house, three months prior to her BIRTH in
which received as my friend and guest, the present
Emperor of the French.
"'Poor Carlotta and Dear Avonia will become
household terms of affeetion-as the dying words of
heroic husbands in the presence of an awful death
renowned by the terrible fates of Macmillan
and Gustavus-both enthroned emperors in the very
hearts of their noble, intellectual and beloved wiyes!n
He describes scene in the death chamber of his
daughter, as follows:
ain chamber of large dimensions, with every lux.
ury that wealth and taste could furnish and upon
low bedstead with coverets as white as snow reposed
upon pillow the dying daughter, looking the very
picture Of the youthful Shakespeare forehead face
and features-as If the immortal poet imaged
there in monumental marble. The remarkable like
ness striking to impress itself instantly, to
the momenary exclusion Of the fact that gazing
upon the face of my Avonian daughter whose bril-
liant eyes like twin stars seemed to lumne the dark
armament OF death! At the head of the bed my
eldest daughter knelt in prayer while on her knees,
and beside AVona, graspng her left hand and wrist,
counting the fast receding pulse, and with fearful
eyes watching the fixed features of her dying child
was the sorrow-strcken and agonsed mother, my for
mer beloved wife, whom had seen but once for more
than twenty years. Overcome by the deep emotion of
my sensitive nature nearly blinded with my burning
tears, my brain on fire for days past by another do
mestic atflicton than death, could not speak,
but knelt down. and taking Avonias extended right
hand in both of my own, kissed and bathed it with
my flowing tears, praying to Heavenly Father to
proIong her life Raising my eyes to gaze upon my
daughter, they suddenly met those of the sorrowul
mother, Melinda instantly extended to her my right
hand, which, with deep emotion, she clasped in her
own; and, at the same moment Avonia observing |
the pious action of her parents, pressed with diving
grasp the hands of both Thus, with the clasped |
hands over the very heart Of AEonia-father mother
and dangher-all of proVerbia intellect, separated
for years, and by thousands of miles; heretofore |
estranged and aenated-were again united in that |
solemn moment, in mutual blessing and forgiveness |
The Almighty Father, from His throne Of grace and
PARDON never witnessed hoier reconciliation! When
could speak, said what relgiousIy felt, viz:
=" This is a sacred scene. God will bless it, and
may in His mercy to deep aflicton, give a new
existence to our dying daughter-if not on earth
then at once in His divine presence"
i" These words of paternal piety few with angel
speed to Heaven and the latter and most blessed ex-
istence awarded and recorded for the dyng
" At last the time to take the final farewell
Avona whispered to her sister for speech was gone
that she desired her father kiss her lips and receive
her kiss in return. The lips Of the living and dying
were Joined in parental and fal piety; while the right
hand Of Avonia still clasped of mine and through
out the interview.
" again took the hand of Melinda, her mother,
and respectfully saluted it; then rising with faterng
steps and fearful emotion left the death chamber,
supported by my eldest and weeping daughter, sooth-
ing and assuaging with flial love and affection my
solemn grief"