Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-06-15

A SWEET FAREwELL.-There is near
ly always grim sarcasm, indicating
sourness Of temper, in a suicides good
by to the world, enemies and friends.
Miss Julia Sichels farewell messages
were not Of this class. They were Pc
cliuarly sweet and touching, and show ed
the young lady to have possessed a
beautiful character. They almost ex-
cused her for going as she did, rashly out
OF the world, and fall tenderly as a dy-
ing bird-song on the ear.
Julia Sichel was a beautiful, bright
and accomplished young lady of twen-
ty-one summers, and lived with her
parents and four or five brothers and
sisters in San Francisco. She loved a
young man named BENJAMIN Steinman,
of Sacramento, and was not ashamed to
own it, although Steinman, for some
reason, could not or did not return her
love. This situation of her heart affair
was known at home, but Julia's most
intimate friends had no idea that she
was SO terribly in earnest. She was
interested in her family relations, and
maintained good spirits, and sweetened
the home cup Of life as long as she
lived. On a late Saturday morning her
father and mother went to church to
attend services at eleven o'clock, leav-
ing Julia and the rest of their young
family at home. On their return they
found Julia dead in her room. Strych-
nine. On her table was a newspaper,
which had been received that morn
ing. Within its folds was a slip of pa
per, on which was written:
yours received. Have come to
the conclusion it was best, for the pre-
sent, to cease our correspondence
With regards to all, l remain yours,
BEN"
This was doubtless the stab that
reached her hearts core, and poison,
as healing remedy, was at hand. A
letter was found superscribed as fol-
lows: "Julia's last words to her father,
mother, sisters and brothers" II ran
SAN Francisco, April "a, 1876.
DEAR MOTHER AND FATHER-I pray
you will forgive the sorrow cause YOU
by my rash act, but life is one dull
blank to me now. Do not blame Ben,
for he has tried 10 reason with me, but
all in vain. He can give me no hope
that shall ever be more to him than a
friend. and rather than live WITHOUT his
love have determined to take nv life.
There are few requests would ask
Of you, and then am ready to die
First of all, promise me, dear father,
that you will hold Ben entirely blame
less, and for the love bore him treat
him ever as friend. l do not want
mother, Annie or Mollie to wear mourn
ing for me, for their black garments
would only be reminder Of my sad
end. Let me be buried where the sun
shines, and try to keep my grave green.
Say died for love. That is all / want
the world to know. Try to bear my
death bravely, and take comfort from
my sisters and brothers.
Dear parents. forgive and pray for
your poor daughter JULIA.
The following letter was also found
addressed to her sister.
DEAR MoLLIE would ask Of you
few favors. They are these: When
| am dead give mother my gold set,
Annie my turquoise ring, keep my
watch and chain and pearl ring for
yourself, and give TO Fannie that set OF
fancy work | had commenced. Let
me be buried with my plain ring on my
finger and put the buttons Ben gave me
in my coffin. Keep on with your mu-
sic and play often, for always dearly
loved to hear you.
Now, dear Eugene, Fannie, Jake and
Annie, Maurice and Mollie, all good
bye, Kiss me before | am laid in nv
grave, and ever remember your loving
sister, JULIA.
No young girl ever left the world
with sweeter song Of purity and love
on her lips than did Julia Sichel.-
There was not smothered reproach or
. mingled regret in her parting from
friends and that love which inflicted
the death-wound. The dying message
sounds like an invitation to Join her in
the better land.-N. Louis RepuSiican.