The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-03-26

are leaving behind And yet, though such Is
our prayer and heartfelt prayer II IS, we can
not realize that you Will meet warmer or more
faithful friends than the old and tried ones of
Ottawa II may be that our affection bases
our better judgment, br, we must confess our
doubts that you will meet the same revcrcn.
tial love. the same ardent Gevotcdness among
those who may IN future cal! you Father" AS
you found among your children here. You
will pardon W., dear Father, j. We have been
fo0lishly confident IN expressing these senti-
ments We are young and VIC measure things
| by the standard Ot our own ardent natures: so
we find 1t hard to believe that yOu can ever DC
to others what you have been to us. But,
though we are young, do not imagine tina. the
lapse Of time and the advent of me,urcr years
shall cool the fervor OF our affection tor you
or dim the memories of the happy days gone
by.
No, whatever may be the scenes through
which the future shall lead us, though friends
kind and aud aNeCtionate may meet lis on the
way, though our hearts may respond in CRATE
full love to their friendship, still We shall ever
prize the days halIowed by your presence as
among the happiest of our lives, and you, dear
Father as one Of the best and most beloved of
friends. We do not deem It necessary TO ask
you to remember us; We know your warm
heart too we'll to make such request Though
we are unworthy, We are sure you will think
of US, and pray for US. the children whom you
have cherished aud who will always pride
themselves on being your own. But we must
ask you to forgive Us our many failures IN ia
ty which We know have panied you, because
you loved us so well. Not that We think u
necessary on your part. but it somewhat salts
tiss our love and sorrow 10 do il. Forgive US,
dear Father, for The faults which thoughtless.
ness and weakness have caused US to commit;
and remember uG only ~ the children of ytur
love, Is the cli.tren who will preserve this
reCUllectious OF pour nCTit and your affection
in their Utmost hearts while they live. And |
now must We speak at last the parting word !
must we say the saddest of all sad words,
"Farewell!"
Farewell to the friend of our early days,
farewell to the shepherd who has led US along
10 the paths Of life, farewell to the father who
loved US and watched over US from our infaa..
~ until this hour. Oh! yes, then, dear father,
since it must be so, farewell! After all, that
word seems the best to express our
ceilings towards you on this occasion. Since
you must leave US, our last words to you and
,ur earnest prayer for you shall be-, May you
are well may youfare we'll in heart and mind,
Iody and soul. may Heavens choicest favors
ain down upon you wherever you go! may
trends kind, atIectionate and faithful meet
'Ou at every turn may all that you undertake
prosper with the prosperity that the blessing
If God insures; may your life be calm happy
md holy; and may it be followed by blissfnl
md glorious hereafter There, in the land
where partings arc unknown, may we meet
'ou once more; yes. may sll your childrea
sther round you and add toyour happiness in
ha, blessed resting place of the weary ard
orrow.stllcken ones of the EARTH in the home
inv. 10 hat
by the sound Of the sad, sad wo,d
Farewell" One more, then. dear father, with
owe and sorrow we repeat Farewell" In life
nd IN death, IN time and in eternity, may yau
are we'll
PAF1HEII sONG |