Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-03-11
OFFICE N "JEFFERsoY BUuDING.'
saturday, Mageh II, 1870.
Tor The Free Press.
The fearless Funeral.

How that scene was impressed upon my mind.
aud now after long years 1t comes up before
me as yividy - though it were Yesterday
Never before nor since have ! witnessed such,
aud Of all the experiences Of long AID not
uuevcullul life, none so strangely, so mystic
rionsiy impressed me So at variance with
all human experience have never been able
10 give a satisfactory solution OF 1t. 1t was
not because there were none Of those apph-
ances and surroundings which help 10 make
a visible living reality, nor because there were
none Of those associations aud ties Tie sever
auce of which reud the heart with auculsh.-
Ia this case death had broken the tcl derest tie
eff earth's sweetest. dearest relationship. In
that humble dwelling lay the corps Of hus-
baud and father dressed in grave clothes. The
wife aud children stood by, friends and neigh
bors gathered round while the saddest Of all
duties was being performed by the minister
A hymn was chanted, prayer offered, ana
words Of comfort attempted 10 be given, bUi
there were no demonstrations Of sorrow, no
feelings Of sympathy, affection, or interest
eyinced either for the dead or living. And
when the coffin was closed 60 take up the sol
emn march 10 tic graveyard some distance
off. there were no farewell uttcrauceS given by
those silent m1urncrs-if indeed they could
be called mourncrS-n0 mpi,tcued cvcs-uo
ar-bedewed chpekS-uDt even stltlicd sob
as an indication fiat death was there. or that
his presence had caused one paug OF sorrow
Au icy atmosphere seemed 10 pervade the
place as though the touch Of death bad para
lived every soul and dried up the very ioun-
tain Of tears. felt the chilly influence steal
ing over NY own heart as tried to penetrate
by the power Of thought the mystcriousness
.bat was thrown around that strange, sal
scene. With slow AMI silent tread we march
ed TO the place Of burial, the middle Of on nn-
fenced field. Here there were two or three
graves uncsred for, and every thing around
looked dcsolate aud lurlitding-Gt place II
seemed for the grave Of one who had none 10
weep over him. And when the clnds ratified
u;on the cofin-tle saddcst sound that falls
upon the ears Of bereavel friends, telling them
that the form of the loved one is hid from
their SIGHT iorcyer-ihe same stulld lndilier-
ence vas manifested, and without an emotion
they watched the grave as 1t slowly filed mp,
and then without dropping one tear Of affection
they turned toward the humble home.
| iu1,ife what was this man that there wa,
not even the semblance Of grief manifested
bv his flmly in lis death and burial. did
not loarn. and had 40 reas o 10 suppose that
be was a human monster aad terror t. his
wife aud children while living. True, every
hing around indicated poverty, but how,
under the most unlavorlule circumstances 10
life. could such ties be severed and none be
found to weep? What strangers they must
have been 20 those tender affections which
bind together members of the same household.
How unconscious those children OF the deep
solemuity Of such an occasion, and Of their
helpless and fJrloru Condition when they should
return to their rumble and comtartie>, hume
only 20 90 ont into the world without the pro-
tec!ine arm Of a father 10 shield them
Every thing connected with that funeral in
dcitel that he VIII, bl just bseen ilid IN bis
resting place would soon he for ottcn-that
there would he no loved ones 20 visit and care
for that grave and moisteu it with tears Of az
fection. 4 tearle.s fuuerall Once in a lie
time witnessed IT, Never again DO ! wish 10
look npon such a scen5 How it oppressed
me with sadness. and how my heart went out
IN pity towards those silent, fearless monrners,
who could not weep.
To 90 down q the grave lhWepl' IhINn-
ored and unsungi' Can there be any 50 poor,
so debased, so fTiendlcss, as q have none
to feel tlcir loss, or drop one tear
Of sympathy? It would be 2 bitter cup in
nv experience cOald q iuk tlat when called
60 lsy n,e down IN death 90 recognition OF
friendship and love would he given rne,
no sweet lips would press mine, 20 gen
,le voices would speak Of tie meeting be-
youd, aud 10 sy'rFa'hizins friends wouif j.
low me to the quiet resting place OF the de-
parted. | wouli have them come IN the t"I-
light hour aud lay their tokens upon the green
turf above and chant their plaintivc songs
Come not with uncousolahle grief and tears,
bnt with hearts chas;caed by the Fathers rod
and purified with the hope OF meeting m 'le
immortal Beyond. PHILANDER.
Hqrper's F-rTy.