The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1870-11-18
PO EFT r. Y.
Death Of the Author Of ''Over the River. -

The Springfield (Mass.l Republican says: 1T is
bur sad duty to announce the death at Wnchendon of
Mrs. A {. Wakefield. At the age Of 81 Mr.. Wake
ne'd was better known to the readers OF the Republican
by her maiden name Of Nancy A. Priest, who, ten or
Twelve years ago. was frequent contributor of poetry
10 our columns and was the author Of that beautiful
md touching poem, "Ovcr the River" which was COP
led Into nearly every paper in the country. Though
many OF the other productions Of Mrs. Wakencld's
pen possessed much excellence "Over the River" had
quite an exceptional merit, and sccmcd to have been
produced in an hour Of inspiration that was never re
pcated. The poem was first printed in August 1854
when Miss Priest 20 years old and resident Of
lllnsdale. New Hampshire; and though she had never
produced anything good sncc It IL not too much to
say that "Ovcr the River" alsnc 10 sucieLt to give
her an endcarng name in the annals of American lit
rr"turc. Mrs. Wakefield leaves a husband and two
little children to mourn her loss, and thousands It
persons In all parts Of the country will hear Of her
lcath almost with sense Of personal bereavement.
Would that We could know her thoughts on the other
side Of that river Of which she wrote thirteen years
Of whom she then said:
Somewhere know. ON the unseen shore,
They watch, and bcckOn, and wait for me.
We cannot pay Mr. Wakchelds memory a greater
tribute. Or do our readers greater fver we are surc
han to rcpublish here 'Ovcr the Piycr'' entire:
OVER TIE RIVER
Over the river they bcckon to me,
Loved ones who'vc crossed to the further side;
The CLEAN Of their snowy robes scc,
Ba, their voices arc lost In the dashing tide.
There's one with .ingii,.s of sunny gold,
And eyes tho reflection Ut heavens ows blue:
lie crossed in the twilight, gray and cold,
And the pale mist hid him from mortal view.
We saw not the angels who met him there,
The gates Of the city We could not re,
Over the rivcr-over the river
Ny brother stands waiting to welcome M.
Over the river the boatmen pale
Carried another, the household pct;
Her brown curls waved In the gentle gale-
Darling Mipnie! see her yet
She crossed on her bosom her dimpled hands,
And fearless entered the phantom bark,
We felt it glide from the silver eands,
And all our sunshine grew strangely dark
We know shc IL safe on the further side,
Where all the ransomed and angels be;
Over the river-thc mystic river
My chidhood's idol is waiting for me
For none return from those quiet shores
Who cross with The boatnan cold aud pale
We hear the dip Of the golden oars
And catch gleam Of the snowy tail;
Aah!": they have pass'd from our yearning hears
Who cross the stream, arc gone for aye.
We may not sundcr the veil apart,
That hides from our vision the gates Of day;
We only know that their barks NO more
May sail with us over lifc's stormy sea;
Yet somewhere, know. ON the unseen ehorc,
They watch aud bcckon, and wait for NC.
And sit aud think when the sunsets gold
IL flushing river and hill and sho,c,
shall one day stand BY the water cold,
Aud list for the sound OF the b0atman's oar;
shall watch for the gleam Of the napping sail,
] shall hear the boat 40 it gains the strand,
shall pass from eight with the boatman pale,
TO the better shore Of the spirit land;
l shall know the loved who have gone before,
And joyfu!ly sweet will the meeting be,
When over the rvcr-the peaceful river
The angel Of death shall carry me.