The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-11

THURSDAY,
fror tue p,spatcn.l

IFlF Lost WEIc
t,,snS the readers of the Dispatch viii
arree thai the enc, oscd lines exhibit more
than ordinary poetic an crit. a spfief ac-
count or the sad event which was the
occasion 81 their being written will not 90
inappropriate; 4. 81 +.
81 IN tue winter OF IL my old friends Mr..
md sffss and daughter were boarders
MT d hotel in one. OF our large cities, in
which they formerly resided. On 9 DAMP };
fogcy January Sabbath Right the husband
.leif his narlor to attend service at the
church az sshe Rev. DIR. a ----, his old pas
Tor, Che ladies remaining at home In conse-
0I,ence OF the state OF the weather. The
a,orter testified that he opened the door
at the hall and AIr. passed OUT into
the street. From that moment not one trace
OF my friend has appeared, though every
effort which devoted affection OF many
friends could suggest or wealth adopt mas
been used for bis recovery. 1t should DC
stated that about a week previous he had
severe fall on the ice, causing much pain IN
his head and confinement to his room. The
theory is that suddenly inflammation OF the
brain set in and was rapid in its effects
Rewards were offered, the police searched
for him increasingly for weeks, the insane
asylums far and near were visited, ths
morgue daily examined, persons were
watching the seacoast for long period, ant
vet to This day the sad my stery is unsolyed
The family are OF high social position ant
culture and OF marked Christian character
The long married lie (forty years. OF thl
excellent couple was beautiful history o
devoted and ever-increasing affection.
- & w.
FARMvILE, Va, February II, 1878.
strsngs thing for y heart to crave,
The presence of u uew-made grave
TO prove my treasure really Lost
For Icouid lo0k above the sod
That lay above his pulseless breast.
That he had surely reached his rest.
Eut no such shrine Is grauted me
Where grief her healing tears might shed;
Mine naught but black uncertainty
Whether he liveth or is dead.
Out Of the doorway Of our home,
ont from It's peace and love and light,
Into tho spectral rain and gloom,
My husband step, INTO the night,
And since has never best my sight,
TIL fields are green which then were white.
know he wen: not thus 10 stay,
His heart so true was wholly mine
And had he meant but brief delay
Word, look, or touch had shown us sign.
But no farewe ell was given 10 me
Whose darESess, like deaths mystery.
: Hath close the fearful secret Kept.
Vain all my patience, vain my tears,
Vain all my quest to find IL ont;
Gaining no answer 10 lis prayers,
My feart Is dying of Its doubt.
II God would lell me he IS dead,
And tell me mol hing else beside,
could Eft up INV weary head
And ask not lohe1l or holo he died: i
But now my heart-strings suffer strain
Beyond their mortal power to bear;
s For hope intensides my pain
BY trying to dissuade despair
. " Y - ~ r - =.
All day along the street watch
Each gray-halr'd man that comes towards me,
Allnight listen for the lotcll
To sound, and tell Iue 1t is he
Iturn my Bibles pages DER,
search In vain each well worn leaf,
Comfort and pledge, so rich OF yore,
Seem ysueleSs 10 meet this grief.
And so shadow worse than death
Wells all the heavens above my head,
binding the vision OF nay faith
! Inror Cal x,-nlEc dnnal