Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-08-08


We stood by an open grave at Colchester
A large circle of friends, with the widowed
mother, sister and brothers, were with us,
waiting, silently, to see that grave filed up,
and the face of our friend hidden from our
sight, not again to smile upon us in this
world. The soft mound completed, two
young men, Mr.. g., of Waterbury,
and W. G. Allen, student Of the Uni
versity, both former pupils Of our de-
parted friend, representing scholars of the
Waterbury High School, laid cross of
beautiful white flowers, and in large letters,
made Of the same lovely things, the words
"Our Teacher" upon the grave. After the
last parting words, we turned our faces
toward home, thinking all the way, what a
sad service we had been performing. Mr..
Mayo had been left in his boyhood without
father, to take upon himself the RESPONSE
bilities of eldest son and brother. Fitting for
college, he was obliged, on account of those
grave responsibilities, to relinquish his plans
and to devote himself to teaching, until cir
cumstances should again favor the renewal
of the broken purpose, which he had never
abandoned but only delayed, at the stern
call of filial duty. He taught in high
schools at Colchester, Williston, South Hero,
Alburgh, Bristol Stowe and Waterbury, &C.
casionally Frustrated by i'll health, all the
while struggling with embarrassments, until
finally circumstances seemed to justify his
entrance upon collegiate course, which he
did at Hanover early in 1876, but was soon
obliged TO leave on account of the failure of
his eyes, and returned to his mothers home
at Milton. During the following winter
rheumatism and dyspepsia aud consumption,
all made a combined assault upon his al
ready broken constitution. Still he re-
turned to Waterbury and resumed his old
task as teacher. 1t was in vain. He was
obliged to surrender his chosen work, went
home, and June nth, passed on to the
" better land"
Self-sacrificing, modest, but resoute and
persistent, he kept his eye upon the goal Of
his ambition, went bravely on, winning
hearts, every step of the way. Very decided
in his convictions, frank in the expression
of them, he never did it Extensively. lie
preferred to heal rather than wound, to
soothe rather than irritate, to attract, rather
than repel.
One more modest never knew, and he al
ways seemed to me young man of almost
marvellous purity and kindness. Bright
cheerful, hopeful, no matter how dark il
was, his coming was like the morning. Hi:
scholars loved him-they could not help it
Singularly perverse must one have been
who could resist the unpretending lovelines'
of the teacher. Some, we cannot tell how
many, young stars he set in his Redeemer'
crown. He received great encouragement
both in his studies and in his religious life
from his early pastor, Rev. l.. Francis
whom he was accustomed to speak of will
unbounded respect and affection.
Remarkably adapted, so it seems to us, t.
the work and life of pastor and preacher
or that of the teacher, what could hav
been the divine motive for taking hin
AWAY ionh us Van ~ pe uhaI IheIe 10 all.
other world that needs such brave and beau
, tiful and gifted young men more than ours
Trust in the wisdom and love of our Father
is our only consolation. We cannot drop
: tear over anything he has lost by changing
worlds, but it is a great, great sorrow TO u
that we shall no more look upon face owe
which no cloud ever rested but that of sol
= row and care.
} Farewell, beloved young brother Thos
flowers we laid upon your grave must hay
e persisted ere this. They seemed to us tn
| very breath of love that young hearts inhalt
t sweet tribute to beauty that will be to u
who knew aud loved him, ga joy forever"