Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-09-11
The hearts of the people of Brad.

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death Of Mrs. Lucy Bliss Harding.
She died about one o'clock in the
morning of Monday last, not quite
a week after the terrible surgical OPP
Grafton which she so bravely chose
to endure, and of which we gave u
brief account last week. The shock
that caused the heart of every per.
son in our village to tremble with
apprehension, when it .came upon
us all so suddenly, that one so near
to us had accepted the fearful alter.
native, aud that the operation was
being actually performed in our
midst, was hardly over, and hope
had begun to take a little hold up.
on our hearts again, when 1t was
known that the sufferer was sinking
and Monday mornings light shOne
upon a house of mourning.
Mrs. Harding was the only sur
viving child of Ellis and Lucy Bliss,
of Bradford, and the wife of Charles
II. Harding, Esq, SO pleasantly
known to us all. Her mother alone
survives her She was born here,
and passed all her life in our midst
except when away at school in her
girlhoOd, or for short periods tenn
pOrarly since then. She spent
some time ut school at Plattsburgh,
N. Y, in company with Il near
friend, who has so lately died, Mrs.
Marion Parker Curtis. Though
separated for some time in life. we
trust that the ties OF friendship will
be renewed in that other world.
Mrs. Harding was an accomplished
musician and for many years gra-
tuitOusly played the organ in the
Methodist church. She was a wO.
man of high culture and exquisite
taste, and the sweetness of her dis.
position gave additional charm to
the beauty of her cOuntenance. Our
whole people knew her we'll, and
only knew her to esteem and love
her. She was well known, not be.
cause she put herself forward and
claimed recognition of her good
qualities, but because her excel
lence won the hearts of all as Qui-
city as the sweet perfume of the
modest violet beguiles the senses,
unseen and unObtrnsive.
There has never occurred any
thing in this vicinity that his 50
taken hold of the sympathies of the
people as the suffering and death
of Mrs. Harding. While she was
in the hands of the surgeons the
village seemed to be in mourning.
Men neglected their business and
stood in fearful anxiety awaiting
the result. AS the slow moments
dragged along the suspense became
almost uncomfortable. How must it
have been with her beloved hus
band and dear mother! When it
was announced that the ordeal was
passed and that the operation vas
successful, and everything appear
ed favorable, it seemed as if the
noon day sun had broken through
the blackest cloud. During the six
days that followed, her mother and
faithful companion had the deepest
sympathies of our whole people.
And when against all hope, she was
taken, she was borne up by her
faith and entire trust in God as
long as reason remained. If SYM
pathy could alone avail, the be-
reaved husband and stricken moth
er would be cOnsOled; but their
sorrow is too deep and their loss
is too great for human sym.
pathy alone to compensate. Yet
the solrowing fricn Is and the af,
tlicted husband especially express /
their profoundest gratitude to all
for their delicate kindness, and
warm sympathy shown during their
moments of grief and the suffering
of the departed.
The purity and beauty of spirit
of our friend were appropriately ex.
pressed by the exquisite floral trib,
ute which graced the remains of
the dear one. The cross told of
the suffering and the crown of the
glorious reward.
The funeral services were very
properly held at the home of the
family; but the number of people
in attendance was very great. The
house anil yard were filled to over.
flowing. Rev. J. NJ. q. Fulton, her
own pastor, conducted the services,
assisted by Rev. Dr. McKeen. The
two prominent thoughts suggested
by the occasion, the grave and heav-
door and the mansiOn-the
gate aud the city-were beautiful
" and fOrcibly dwelt upon, and H.
lustrated by the preacher.
May these incidents and this Oc.
casiOn make us all better.