Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-01-30

as 0i yUrt, Uut sue only Cdlieu lt
troublesome cold and cough. Thus
she thought and wrote to Edward
Love is ever ready to think the best
or fear the worst. At first he became
alarmed, but by degrees, finding she
was improving, he took courage and
was hopeful as she could wish. The
time of his return drew near, the
wedding day was fixed and all neces-
sary preparations completed So
long as the excitement of fitting and
arranging lasted, so long a seeming
strength was veuchsafed the invalid.
But her physicians and friends feared
the result. :.
Ten O'Clock drew near, and yet no
Edward came, Still Mary's hope
failed not She knew he would come.
When it wanted q few minutes of
the hour, he drove anxiously and
nervously to the door. Hehad been
told at the village hotel, where he
had been left by the public convey
ance. that Mary was failing, and that
she could not continue long on
earth.
Calmly and quietly Mary received
him. His coming had not taken her
by surprise. With him it was other
wise. He was not prepared for so
much change in the beloved ONE
1t was she who was the stronger now.
And the firm heart and manly frame
lean ed upon that pale, emaciated one
for strength and consolation.
Oh, what will not love do--a pure,
unselfish love such as some can feel?
With that in the heart there are no
trials, no troubles; no privations in
life, for it can make them all bless
ings, sweetened and sanctified. L.
Withoutit l would not take the mon
arch's crown or victor's wreath.
Edward Graham and Mary Has
tings were both children of poor,
but respectable and intelligent pa
rents. Edward had been one of the
first to turn his feet toward the gold
regions. He would come home rich
that Mary might be surrounded with
all her heart and mind DESIRED
What q pleasant home should be
theirs on the borders 0f the dear old
Merrimac
How patiently and how earnestly
he toiled till the three years wee
ended. Beyond his even most san
guine hopes had he been successful,
and now he had returned wealthy
man. But ala, for the heart treas
ure awaiting him at home!
20, Mary! Nary" was all the
heartstricken man could utter in his
great agony.
Dear, dear Edward" and she
was clasped to the heart she had so
yearned to meet.
Long and closely he held her there.
How his heart throbbed with its
deep treasured andfunspeakable love!
For time either spoke. The mo-
ments were too sacred for words
But the recording angel treasured
them above, that they might be re-
newed in heaven, ever free from the
pangs of parting. Mary was the first
| to speak.
81 knew, Edward, that you would
come day. met you in my last
nights waking dream--met you as
we have now met in reality. bless
God for the hour and its perfect joy
Few such could we have and live
They are not for earth, but in heaven,
beloved, in heaven, they will be ours
forever"
"Do not leave me, Mary; oh! dc
not leave MEL burst involuntarily
from his lips.
With a calm, quiet smile, such as
angels might wear, she raised hel
head from his breast, and putting
back his hair from his damp. cold
brow, where suffering sat enthroned
gazed long and tenderly upon the
beloved. Italmost seemed as though
her spirit entered his. The expires
sion of intense suffering passed from
his face, and a pleasant though sad
dened smile came instead.
"But, Edward, do not leave you
Il only GO before And the voice
though weak and low, was clear ant
free from trembling. ''Can you no
wait, beloved? 1t will not be long
We shall meet again in heaven"
"Be mine On earth, Mary! oh! b.
mine on earth! then perhaps 1 cal
better bear the parting, for shal
know my wife awaits me-"
81 knew you would come, Edward
dear, and that you would desire this
Therefore, am 1 robed for the cere
mony. Yes, I will be yours, eve
!, upon earth, and ever yours in heav
en-"
The clergyman was called in, an
the ceremony performed. Calm an
earnest were the words the good ma
spake. Calmly and earnestly wer
they received into those saddene
. hearts. 1t was as though the spiri
of heaven had descended and DIVE
upon Gnein Jill.
"My wife!"
"My husbandn'
The dream had been fulflled-the
were united on earth. An hor
> passed on, one little hour of perfet
y joy, and Mary was with the angels.
: "Kiss me, beloved" were the la
i words. the parting spirit uttered.
A With the warm embrace, wit
+ lips pressed to lips, and without
n struggle, the spirit went upward
II its home Edward was alone {
o earth--and yet not alone, for Il
dead are ever with US.
y One more earnest spirit is add
d to those who preach the gospel.
Y; Reader, may it be your lot, as it b
: been mine, to profit by the heartf'
words that fell from the lips of E
" ward Graham.
J. Husband-That's good butter. T
~ love. Wife-It should be, my de-