The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1871-07-13
DEATH OF THE AUTHOR OF "OVER
THE RIVER"

The Springfield Mass. Republican OF September
8Oth, Gays: 1t is the sad duty to announce the
death. at Winchendon last week, of Mrs. A. c.
Wakefield at the age of 80. Mrs. Wakefield was
better known to the readers of the Republican by
her maiden name of Nancy A. w. Priest, who
ten or twelve years ago, was frequent contribu-
tor ofpoetry to our columns and was the author
OF that beautiful and touching poem, lover the
River" which was copied into nearly everJ pa
per IN the country, and has been frequently pub
lished since. Though many of the other produc-
uOns of Mrs. Wakefed's possessed much ex-
cellence, lover the River had quite an exception
al merit, and seemed TO have been produced in an
hou OF inspiration that was never repeated
Looking back ever the files see that the poem
was fret printed in August, 1854 when Miss
Priest was ~ years old, and resident of Hins
dale, New Hampshire ; and though she has never
produced anything good since, il is not too
much to say that over the River alone is sutfic
lent 10 give her an enduring name in the annals
of American litature. Mrs. Wakefield leaves
hue band and two little children to mourn her
loss, and thousands of people i'll all parts OF the
country will hear of her death almost with 4
sense of personal bereavment. Would that we
could know her thoughts on the other side of the
river of which she wrote thirteen years ago. and
whether or not she had met and known those of
whom she then said
Somewhere know, on the unseen shore,
They watch, and beckon, and wait for me.
We cannot pay Mrs. Wakefcld's memory a
greater tribute, or DO readers greater favor,
we are suure, than to publish her over the Riv-
or" entire
OVER THE RIVER
Over the river they beckon to me,
Loved ones who've crossed to the further eide
The CLEAN OF their robes see.
But their voices lost in the dashing tide
There's one of ringlets OF sunny gold,
And eyes the reflection of heavens own blue;
He crossed III the twilight, gray and cold,
a nd the pale mist hid him from mortal view,
We saw not the angels who met him there,
The gate of the city could not see,
Over the riYer-OYer the river
My brother stands waiting to welcome me.
Over the river the boatman pale
Carried another-the household pet;
Her brown curls waved in the gentle gale
Darling Minnie / zee her yet,
She crossed on her bosom her dimpled bands
And fearlessly entered the phantom bark,
| We felt / glide from the silver sands,
And all our sunshine grew strangely dark,
! We know she is safe on the further side,
Where all the ransomed and angels be;
| Over the riVer-the mystic river
My child's idol is waiting for
| For none return from those quiet shores
Who cross with the bOatman cold and pale
We hear the dip of golden oars,
And catch CLEAN of the snowy sail;
And 10 they have passed from our yearning heart
Who cross the stream, have gone for aye.
We may not sunder the veil apart,
That hides from cur vision the gates Ofday;
! We only know that there barks no more
May sail with over lifes stormy sea;
Yet somewhere, know on the unseen shore,
They watch, and beckOn and wait Ter me.
And sit and think when the sunsets gold
II flushing river and hill and shore.
| shall one day stand by the water cold,
And listen for the sound of the boatman . oar;
| shall watch for a CLEAN of the tapping sail.
shall hear the boat as it gains the strand,
| shall pass from sight With the bOatman pale
TO the better shore of the spirit land;
| shall know the loved who have gone before,
And joyful will the meeting be,
When over the river-the peaceful river
| The angel of death shall carry me.