Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-07-05
I'd Offer thee this Hand of Mine.

The Lynchburg VRGINIAN furnishes
this interesting bit of history, touching
one of the tenderest songs that ever stirr-
cd u soul. [Ep. NEws.l
BRANsFoRD VAwTER.--Dcath loves a
shining mark, and the good die young.
indeed, If obituaries and tombstouCs arc
good authorities, it would seem that the
good are rapidly passing away, while the
wicked and debascd have u heightened
lease ofliic, and may, for aught We know,
live on forever.
Branstord Nawter was born poet,
and though of humble parenlago md
limited opportunities, would have made
his mark in the world Of song If tho hand
of death had not removed him almost be-
fore no reached manhood. lie was born
on Main street In Lynchburg, in the year
1915, and was the son of an eccentric old
gentleman, n tailor by trade, who occa-
alonally put himself outside gilmore "iirc
water" than was good for his health, and
then, with n single garment on, he would
swing his legs out ofan upper story win
dow, and sing, In drawling tone, about
rs follows; "rho world Is good, the
people arc good, and God bless Buddy
Forever lie would then add, IN an un-
dcrtone "0nd please don't forget Jake"
Bransford, be It remembered, was call
cd "Buddy," and Jake was his brother,
but Brans(ord was his Gyorito. With
only the primitive advantages of the
schools fLynchburg, Bransford soon be-
came u well known character. Ills re-
markably handsome appearance, his pol
ishod manners, his fund Of wit and his
lnassumlng modcsty, made him at once
n favorite and valued companion with
out regard TO local position, His argu-
mcnts. even In small disputatons, were
pOndcrous ns the club of Hercules, and
yet ~ soft and tender as the dying notes
Of n lutc. He was too chiyalrous TO Of
fond; too noble 10 take advantage. or
his writings We know but little, for they
were not preserved, and II Is probable
the writer had no conception Of their
merit. The following beautiful lines,
however, have been rescued from Cbliy-
ion, and they afford no uncertain idea to
the noble character and polished style OF
the author. The llnes have been uttrib-
utod 90 Thomas Moorc-anl are certain
ly worthy 10 be incorporated with his
published pooms.-but they were written
by Bransford Vawtcr In JiynChburg,
under circumstances ao painful 10 him
that 1t would be improper TO refer to
them now:
"Id Offer thee this hand Of mino
If could loyc thee lces;
But hearts 10 warm, 10 fond, ~ thine,
Should never know distress.
My fortune is too hard for thee;
'1woud chill thy dearest Joy;
I'd rather weep 20 ace thee FREQ
Than win thee TO destroy.
] leave thee TO Thy happiness
Az ono too dear 70 ioyc:
As one 10 think Of but TO bless,
AS wrotchcdly foyc.
And oh ! when sOrtow's cup ! drink,
All bitter though " be,
How sweet twill be- for me TO think
II holds no drop for thee.
And now my dreams arc sadly o'cr
Fate bids them MI depart;
And ! must leave my native shore
IN brOkenncss Of heart.
An though, dear one, whom far from
thee,
no'er know Joy agan,
would not that one Thought Of me
Should ever give thy bosom poln.'
Upon the appearance Of this simple
but touching poem In n iynChburg news
paper, literary magazine Of high char
meter and ability, published II with n
complimentary introduction, and the Of
fer Of prize 10 the unknown author