The National tribune., 1881-10-01
AMEssAGE FROM THE DEAD.

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAD.
k, during the alterations which are now
lied out at the General Post Office In panei
of the boxes was found a letter, which had
ted exactly fifty years ago, and which, by some
nee, had got stuck in the panel instead OF 1lnuil
' into the box. The letter was duly forwarded
son to whom it was addressed, who, sui
NICELY. was alive, and who received 1t safety.
ter, however, had been dead many years la
les, July O. 1881.
Twas two and seventy years ago,
When Farmer George" was King,
And all his land n rareeshow,
With blossom of the spring
The time when lovers counting go,
And little birds do sing.
They say that folks are wiser now,
And life has grown completer,
The old days were as sweet, / trow,
Perchance a little sweeter;-
The birds upon the cherry bough
Have never changed their meter.
As eager were the hopes of men,
Their joys, alas, as fleeting,
And lovers vows as potent then
To set girls hearts a-beating;-
AS tender was the spring-time, when
The newborn lambs were bleatlng.
Some things, thank God, are lingering yet,
And never out of fashion,
The laws of stately etiquette
Have spared the tender passion,
And sometimes human eyes are wet
With tears of soft compassion.
So down times vista, faint and far,
Two lovers we descry.
Apart they stand, some sudden jar
Disturbs their harmony;
A cloud hath passed DER Loves sweet star,
And darkened all the sky.
The youth he watched his true loves face
With angry, scornful glance;
"Adieu," he cried, "disdainful Grace,
sail tonight for France,
Some happier man may have my place,
And please you more, perchance."
"Adieu sir - said the naughty maid,
"Your fancy chimes with mine;
pray that when the anchors weighed,
The weather may be fine;
Too long methinks you have delayed
To taste the claret wine!"
And so they part, these silly souls,
With bitter words and sore,
And Times vast ocean moaning rolls
Betwixt them evermore,
And they must starve on niggard dole
Who feasted heretofore.
Awhile she said, % He loves me well,
I'll die but never doubt him,
Tomorrow he will break the SPELL
He knows could not f1out him"
Then blank, eternal silence fell
She sighed-and lived without him.
The days passed slowly into years,
The bloom of youth departed,
No eyes beheld her secret tears,
Or saw the wound that smarted;
Hers was the patient love that cheers
The sad and broken-hearted.
When fifty years had passed away,
Life's pain no more beset her;
This woman, faded, old and gray,
Waits for the life that's better,
Her maid trips in with silver tray:
Madam, foreign letter!'
She took it with a wondering smile,
Into her wrinkled hand,
She gazed at ii little while,
She could not understand;
Twas folded in an ancient style,
The ink was pale and tanned.
What ghost arises from the past
To scare that faithful breast?
A dead mans message come at last,
By cruel Fate suppressed
Dear God!'' she cried, while tears fell fast,
I'm ready for my rest"
80 love, forgive the letter said,
Il cannot leave you SO,
Write but a word, ere fate be sped.
Whether you will or no.;
And then the date the woman read
Twas fifty years ago!
She threw the easement open wide,
This lady most forlOrn,
A robin whistled sweet outside,
Upon a leafiess thorn,
And he sang of Love that had never died,
And the Resurrection morn.