Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1869-03-05
For the Delaware Gazette.
Thoughts.
Suggested while strollIng I'm the
Cemetery at New Carlisle, Clark 2
County, O.

County -.
It is impossible to compose my MIND
sufficiently to think of my subject with
any degree of satisfaction. Iv thoughts
without assistance, ARE fleeing to regions
foreign to those where desire to center
them. I realize a sensation of loneIi.
ness, amounting, almost to sadness.
But 1 am surprised to observe that
have so soon arrived at the gate of the
| village cemetery. ] have never visited
this densely peopled city Of the dead,
/ and greatly desire to enter, and peruse
| the names which are carved upon the
| marble slabs.
How peaceful and quiet everything
| appearsl Nothing here to disturb the
calm repose of the departed.
Beneath the spreading branches of
this tree, I will pause and read the
words inscribed upon this plain, though
beautiful marble stone. The first sen
tence which meets my gaze is this /:
"She rests in Heaven"
What volumes of meaning displayed
in this sentence The lass trial en-
dured, the last earthly song chanted.
the labors of life all completed, and the
happy spirit enjoying the Christians
rest in Heaven.
People are, sometimes, inclined to
imagine that graveyard is a gloomy
spot, devoid of charms, and the abode
of terror and dismay. But whereis the
val to indulge in thoughts of Heaven,
if not here
Upon this next stone, below the name
and date, is engraved, ,"Co. A, ,I47th o. v.
l." Here, then, rests one of the fallen
braves, And only eighteen and q half
years Of age. Though a mere youth,
yet, when our beloved ensign was hurl-
ed in the dust by traitors, when our
homes were threatened by enemies, he
sacrificed home and all the highly
priced associations of childhood, and
resolutely fastened to assist in rescu-
ing that which he had so long enjoyed.
I wonder If his death was Occasioned
by some missile of death, cruelty aimed
at his fair young brow, while manfully
defending that starry emblem which
doated, so proudly, above him, as if in
defiance of shot and shell dyipg thiekIy
around. Or, did he pine away in some
hospital, far from home and friends,
with no mother near to battle the burn
ing temple, or wipe away the great
drops from the feYered brow; with no
sister to arrange the hard pillow, or
kiss away the falling tear no father or
brother to speak words of consolation,
or accompany the departing spirit to
the icy brink of the cold stream of
Death. Or, exhausted of strength, was
he permitted to arrive at home lust in /
time to see the old familiar faces, and !
gaze, once more. upon the scenes of his /
boyhOod, before he went to that land
from whence no traveller returns.
Here is a newly made grave. Only a
few days ago, I presume, and its occu-
pant gave as hattering promise /
Of long life as any of those
living at present. Now the au-
tumn leaves are falling upon his last
earthly resting place, and We are toll ]
lowing rapidly in his footsteps.
A little farther along, is small neg
lected mound. The grass has grown 1
thickly over its surface. There is no i
head-stone to tell the passing stranger
who lies sleeping TRANQUILITY here.
All how many of our best and tru-
est have soldiers fate In this beau
iful spot, upon gentle eminence, is
the grave OF Philip, who died from a /
wound received at MurfreesborO, Tenn.
His belt and sword are useless now.
the cause of justice, is unnerved and /
still, but its deeds remain bright as the /
stars in the pale, azure heavens at /
night. Well might the poet say:
''SoIdier, restl thy warfare DER,
Dream of battle-helds no more"
Here, side by side, are the graves of a
household. Father, mother, sons
now are. Judging by dates, notice
that the mother Wearied of life the first
Of all. The children, one of them, join
I'd her in the spirit land, and the father,
stricken IN years. with Feeble steps and
lonely heart, followed on alone, until
mis- eye grew dim, and his tottering
limbs refused to bear their burden
longer. Methinks see his dear ones
greeting him on the opposite shore.
him to the blest abode, and
decorating his head, which is no longer
gray, with a glittering crown of emer-
AID. What happy meetiDgi
The sun is low in the Western hoFi-
son, must now return. will pause.
and glance over the spot in which 1 have
been just wandered. In close proxim-
ty to the northern entrance is a plot Of
7acant ground. Were we to visit here,
ifty or a hundred years hence, doubt
ess, we would find this spot com pletely
lotted with little green mounds, each
he receptacle OF some one who is now
life. They will all remain
acre till the sounding OF the last trum-
BET, then, will rise. Those who have
Oeen the worshippers of Heaven, to
meet the angelic band in the air-the
remainder only be banished.
Ida DURLING.
Harlem, o.