Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1878-04-23
The Lost one.
For The Dispatch ]

Tor the DlsPatcA
think the readers Of The Dispatdh
will agree that the enclosed lines ex-
Libit more Than ordinary poetic merit.
A brief account Of the sad event
which was the occasion of their be-
ing written will not be appropriate {:
In the winter Of 1874 my old
friends Mr.. and Mrs and dargh-
ter were boarders at a hotel in "a Of
our large cities, in which they forms
erly resided. On a damp, foggy Jan
uary Sabbath night the husband left
lis Garlur TO attend serFice at the
church of the Rev. DR.. A., his
old pastor, the ladies remaining at
home in consequence of the state OF
the weather. The porter testified
that be opened the door of the hall
and Mr.-passed out into the
street. From that moment not one
trace Of my friend has appeared.
though eceru effort which devoted
affection of many friends could sug-
gess or wealth adopt has been used
for his recovery. II should be stated
that about a week previous ha had a
severe nm on the ice, causing much
paiu in bis head and confinement to
his room. The theory is that sud-
denly Inflammation Of the, brain set
in and YVES rapid 10 It's effects. Re-
wards were offered, the police search>
ed for him increasingly for weeks,
the insane 0sylums far and near we're
visited. the morpue daily examined,
persons were watching the ~seacoasts
for q long period, and yet to this dag
the sad mvetcry is unsolved. The
family are Of high social position and
culture aud Of marked Christian
character The long married life
FORTY years. Of this excellent couple
was a beautiful history of devoted
and ever increasing affection, W.
Farmyille. Va, February II 1873.
A strange ling for my heart to crave,
And yet the boon | covct most
The presence OF a new-made grave
To prove my treasure really lost.
For l could lcok above the cod
That lay above his puseless breast,
And sing my gratitude to God
That he had surely reached bis rest.
But 10 such shrine il granted me
Where grief her healing tears might shed;
Nine uausht but LACK uncertainty
NIL. l., 1.-.tl. % 50 1ao1 /
Out Of the doorway Of our homo,
Out from its peace aud love and light,
Into the spectral rain and gloom,
My husband stepped into the night,
And since has never blest my eight
Tho I have watched foI him to come
Till fields are green which then we're white.
know lie went lot thus to stay
lis hear; 30 true was wholly mine
And had he meant but brief delay
Word, look, or touch had shown its sign.
But 40 farewell was given me
"A into murkey night lie slept,
Whcac darkness, like DEATHS mystery,
Eath close the fearless secret kept.
Vsin all my patience, vain my tears,
Vain al ny quest TO find L out
Gaining 10 ana~er TO its prayers,
My Loart i dying of its Doubt
II God would tell NE lie is dead,
And tell ne nothing else beside,
I could lift up nv weary head
Aud ask nc; 1rhcn or kOU he died;
But Row my beart-striugs suffer strain
Beyond their mor taI power to bear
For more intenbifcs my pain
By trying to disauade despair!
Al day along the street ! watch
Each gray-Lairca man that comes towards
me-,
night listen for the latch
70 sound, and tell ne it is he I
! ,urn my Bibles pages Ger
] search Ia vain s5gb woIl-v0rn leaf,
and pledge, 60 rich Of yore,
seem yaluelcss to meet this grief.
And 30 a shadow worse than death
Wells all Che heavens above nay head,
Binding The vi-ion Of my faith
Till even GoE H.nretf seems dead