The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-04-25
From the Richmond (Va-) Dispatch
TIE LOST ONE.

think the readers of the Dispatch will
agree that the enclosed lines exhibit more
than ordinary poetic merit. A brief account
of the sad event which was the occasion oil
their being written will not be inappropri
ate:
In the winter of 1874 my old friends Mr.
and Mrs. -, and daughter, were boarderc
at hotel in one of our large cities, in which
they formerly resided. On q damp fOggy
January Sabbath night the husband left his
parlOr to attend service at the church of the
Rev. DR.. A., his old pastor, the ladies
remaining at home on account of the state
of the weather. The porter testified that
he opened the door of the hall and Mr.
passed out into the street. From that mo-
ment not one trace of my friend has ap-
Peared, though every effort which the de
voted affection of many friends could sug-
Eest has been used for his recovery. Il
should be stated that about q week previous
he had a severe fall on the ice, causing
much pain in his head and confinement t.
his room. The theory is that suddenly in
dammation of the brain set in and was
rapid in its effects. Rewards were offered
the police searched for him increasingly fol-
weeks; the insane asylums far and neaI
were visited the morgue daily examined
persons watched the sea-coast for a long
period; and yet to this day the sad mystery
is unsolved. The family are of high social
position and culture, and of marked Christ
ian character. The long married life (forty
years) of this excellent couple was a beauti-
full history of devoted and ever-increasing
affection, w.
FARMvILLE, VA, Feb. II, 1878.
A strange thing for my heart to crave,
And yet the boon 1 covet most
The presence of 4 new-made grave
To prove my treasure really lost.
For could look above the sod
That lay above his pulseless breast,
And sing my gratitude 10 God
That he had surely reached his rest.
But such shrine is granted me,
Where grief her healing tears might shed;
Mine naught but black uncertainty
Whether he liveth Is dead
Out of the doorway Of eur home,
Out from its peace and love and Eight,
Into the spectral rain and gloom,
My husband slept into the night,
And since has never blessed my sight,
Tho have watched for him to come
Till fields are green which then were white.
know he went not thus to stay
His heart 80 true was wholly mine-
And had he meant but brief delay
Word, look, OF touch had shown its sign.
But no farewell was given TO me
As into murky night he slept,
Whose darkness like deaths mystery,
Hath close the fearful secret kept
Vain all my patience, vain my tears,
Vain all my quest to fnd it out;
Gaining no answer TO its prayers.
Ny heart Is dying Of its Doubt
II God would tell me he is dad,
And tell me nothing else beside,
could lift up my weary head
And ask not scheA or hOs0 he died;
But now nay heart-strings suffer strain
BEYOND their mortal power to bear;
For hope intensifss my pain
By trying to dissuade despair
All day along the street watch
Each gray-hair'd man that comes towards me,
All night listen for the latch
To sound, and tell me il is he !
turn my Bibles pages Ger,
search in vain each well-Worn leaf,
Comfort and pledge, 50 rich Of yore,
Seem valueless 70 meet this grief.
And so a shadow worse than death
Wells all the heavens above my head,
Binding the vision Of my faith
TIL even God Himself seems dead.