Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-01-15

Departed this life suddenly, of disease of the
heart, at his residence near Bryantown, Charles
county, on Tuesday the 18th day of December,
1874. at the hour of 8 clock P. NJ, Major
THOMAS |. GARDINER, in the SIND year of
his age.
In the sudden and unexpected demise Of the
worthy subject of this notice, again is verified
the truth of the words, so full of admonition
to the living, lin the midst of life we are in
DEATH But few days ago the deceased was
in his usual health, pursuing the ordinary avo-
cations of life, enjoying the society of kindred
and friends, and now all that is earthly of him
reposes beneath the cold clods of the silent
church-yard His exit from time to eternity
was indeed quick one. The summons came
and in about fifteen minutes it was answered.
But though his death was thus sudden and I'M
expected his sorrowing friends and relatives
can draw consolation from the thought that
the summons did not find him unprepared to
meet his Judge. For he had early learned and
long practiced the lesson that good and vir-
tuous life and faithful and Steadfast observ-
ance of all those duties inculcated by the reli-
zion of which he was an exemplary member,
was the best preparation for good death. In
| deed we may we'll conclude that the prayer OF
the pious christian, to be delivered from an
'unp rovided" death, was answered in his
regard.
humble tribute to bis memory to have known
him for a long time, and to have been on the
| most friendly and intimate relations with him,
and be can say in no spirit of vain praise, but
| in words of simple unaffected truth, that he
lnever knew purer man, one more honest ana
upright and one so singularly free from all the
vices of this corrupt age.
The deceased was of a genial disposition,
modest and unobtrusive in his manners, pos
| Izto ,,lo coor tnc froit &c
| character. His mind was richly stored with
useful and varied knowledge, and while hold
ing and expressing decided views on all the
Heading questions of the times, he never attempt
ed to enforce his convictions upon others, pre-
Herring rather to follow than to lead. The de-
Leased had always quietly pursued the occupa-
ton of farming on his paterhal estate. Never
having married, his sister having resided with
him, who, with her brother, Hon. JOHN F
lGARDINER, are now the only survivors of the
family. His residence, one of the best in the
county was always the abode of warm and
liberal hospitality, and memory recalls to the
writer many happy hour passed under his
roof.
| If the deceased had one trait in his character
more prominent than another 1t was his strong
and deep affection for his kindred. This was
remarkably exemplified in the pure and unset
fish love he bore to his sister. His greatest
pleasure seemed to be to minister to her happi-
ness, while in return the purest affection of her
heart clung around him as the ivy twines about
the oak Indeed the very existence of the one
seemed to be bound up in that of the other.
| How deep the grief, how bitter the anguish,
that must have wrung that poor sister s'heart
when affections, life long and so deeply rooted.
were thus ruthlessy sundered May the light
| of her brothers virtues reflected from the tomb
brighten her pathway in life, apd while her
christian spirit humbly bows to the will of her
| Divine Master may lie give her strength and
courage to bear her terrible bereavement.