The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-21
IN lIEMOREAN.
A. F. Il.
ORIr DECEMRER %, 1879.

Three weeks ago o.day thousands Of happy hearts
and eager hands the wide world over were busy
with plans and preparations for "A Merry ChrtSt'
mas and q Hdppy Nelo Year Care hah been
put aside. and n.ighDOrs and friends met together
az cheerful ires.dcs to exchange the usuil c0nDl-
mems OF tbc season IN warmeSt expressions Of
kindly feeling and mutual goodwill Christmas
greens, suggestive of mirh and merry MAKING
deckcd many a parlor-wall, and hurrylng Steps
bounded IN at ola hOmcscads 10 meet the gao WEI
come OF eyes hat waited their coming ana grew
brighter when they come Young chlldfeG Ialhci
of Santa Caus aud fell asleep dreaming OF soOd
gifts he would soon bring. LtV ng n.aTls' uOuuu
together by tendeTes kinhp and affection, beat III
unison Of present. JOY and IN prayerfu anticipation
Of " mann hODDV returns"
But alas moi L. a did the h ~ and festive season
bring mrth and happiness. In many darkened
mufiing he busy step and sofening the merry laugh
10 the silence of SPECIFICS PRAYER. In some lbe
pale ACE of the Death Angel looked darklv, pau ed
casting It's icy glance upon some daring household
IDOL. and then, thank Heaven, passed on.
I'm one quiet rural home far off from The noise
and din OF tins noisy city no CHRISTMAS ilgns hah
ed from the windO"s-ne sound OF revelry OF Jov
was heard within its doors. loving family group
kept anxious aud fearful watch where Young
daughter of the house lay struggling with Death.
SAD. indeed. 20 them was that ChristmaS-eve, rs
they marked the failing pulse OF her young heart
sink lower aud lower, Ike pickering candle In Tue
socket. II was child and sister IN lay lnefe.
MOI age with its gray hairs and lis burden of many
sorrows, but you l-fresh aud innoc"ni-a6out TO
en- bark from the shores Of Time, upon the shore
less sea OF Eternity. Twenty sumnlers-Only
twenty-had bloomed and bosomed over her
fair young head. Friendship an LoyS had
crowned her. but Of what avail are trien ship ana
Love now! Stricken down In Lies glad morning,
se Was about TO- yed TO- the n't f. a sea
her die. Beautiful, how beautiful, Is the death OF
the pure and good. Around this bedside are no
alarms: Faith and Hope are among the watchers.
and Loving Trust IS !be dOwny pillow that sOothes
and rests her diving head. Born OF pious mother:
nurured and reared III the falh OF The GOspri OF
Christ she hid early embraced that faith, and II
the anchor, sure and steadtast, TO which
she cluEg.
Tears fall from loving eyes the hour Of her de-
parture draws nearer aud nearer. sounds OF wall,
Ing aud lamentation break the solemn stiffness OF
that solemn night. but with her all Is besScdness
and peace. Resting in the assured hope of accept
through Him whose firth as the Saviour OF man
The season commemorated. she tenderly babe fare
wei To those around gave parting mi ss'ges Tor me
absent. aud as the gray dawn ushered In he Christ
mas morning her beautiful eyes closed III their
ireamless sleep and the soul OF the lovely and gem
Tie FLORENCE RADFORD winged its way from
earth to rest forever in the bosom Of The Crucied
A fresh mound In Iyy-Creek church yard. over
In sight of her childhood's happy home, marks the
spot, henceforth sacred 10 memory, the grave of
ANNIE FLORENCE,
Daughter of Muniord and The late Elizabeth Reid
Radtord
AGED TWENTY YEARS.
Rest gentle maiden .-naught shall break
. Thy slumber calm ard deep
TIL lie shall call who kindly gives
TO His beloved sleep.
Rest where the forests fleming flowers
Their earliest bloom shall shed.
And Springs first vioets softly breathe
Their fragrance DER thy head
Rest where Thy bthesome steps have trOd,
Through many a childhood hour.
To hear the wild bru's happy note,
Or Gull the woodland flower
Rest loving heart She sleeps beside
Thy mother fond and true.
Whose gentle face through weary years,
The grave hath hid from vIew
Rest from the storms that toss our barques,
The tolls that press Us sore,
'Till hand clasps hand where storms are hnshed,
On heavens eternal shore.
G. }. NJ. j.
LYNCHBURG, VA, January a. 1880.