St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-03-14
En Memory of nay Young Friend
Cora A. Ward.

This world is full of heavy heart
and weary wandering feet.
Yet on that bright and beautiful
September afternoon, when the leaves
OF the forest, from afar off, were CLEAN
ing in the Sunlight, in theil
early Autumn tints. I coulG
trace no line of sorrow in M,
heart, nor did | feel any .,ang of weari.
ness; although / had scarcely become
rested from my travel home from Viz,
glniaD where / had spent a glorious
Summer time, enjoying the mountain
scenery, to my hearts content.
But alb did not know that before
night should envelope the light Of day
would hear the news that would make
my heart ache.
had taken my seat that afternoon to
plan another trip, Ga visit rather) to the
little village of Big Cane, not very far
distant.
1t is.the home Of my early recollec-
tlons, the last resting place of my loved
mother, and yet the home of many of
my dear friends. was anxious to go
to see them all and relate the pleas
ures of my trip.
/ had been thinking almost continual
ly that day, of one of my young friends
there, Cora Ward. remember SO dis
tinctly the last time ever saw her SO
fresh and full of life, that knew
would enjoy a reunion and could tell
her SO many things that would interest
her concerning my summer in Virginia.
So | made mental decision, that as
soon as become perfectly rested, /
should take my visit, and after spend
ing a few days with sister, l would go
to stay some with Mrs. Ward and Cora.
! have always loved Mrs. Ward, for she
was my mothers, friend and since lost
mama my affections have naturally
chung to her.
But alas, bad not more than COM
pleted the building Of my castles, when
they were crushed with "a stroke of sad
ness, for just then gentleman friend
came III returning from Big Cane and
my first question, after receiving his
congratulations on my return home was,
" How is every body in Big Cane"
l did not expect such an answer, (al-
though had asked the question: when
he said "a good deal of sickness, and a
very sad death last Sunday night viii h
has cast quite gloom over every body,
Miss Cora Ward is dead
could scarcely believe his words, so
sudden and unexpected did they fall |
from his lips, but soon the echo an
sWered, dead.
My thoughts instantly turned, imper- |
feet sympathy, to those grief stricken |
Parents, and dwelt on the mother.
/ knew it was a bitter cup for the |
father, but his being the stronger sex
he knew better how TO bear such trials
and affections as man, he could /
mingle with the world III his business /
and profession in order to lesson his
sadness.
But that mother would have no way
to cast off any part of her sorrow only
to bear it ali. Her only S0lace would
be her trust III God looking forward 10
The time when she would meet her loved
ones in that better land. No one can
find words to describe the infinite loss
Of a daughter.
A daughter who was the sunshine Of
her mothers home and her mothers life,
that mother who had so carefully and
5enderly raised her, with never a
thought that she would have to give
ler up-iust as she was budding into
early WOmanhOOd, and so suddenly was
she snatched away, with scarcely mo-
nent's warning. Sunday morning found
Ter the cheerful companion of one OF her
7Oung friends Leila Hazard, with whom
'he had spent the previous night and as
he hour came on for Sabbath School
hey were both found in their accus-
Omed places. But never again will the
ones Of that organ peal forth from the
pressure of her dainty fingers never !
Lgain will her voice be heard in song
With her companions, for Cora has
rome.
Before another morn had dawned her
pirit was with God, and she was folded
D the cold embrace Of death.
Darling Cora only sixteen years was
he duration of your innocent life, only
ixteen years were you the idol of your
Mothers heart; too yoaltg, too beaati-
nj to die yet, God may have thought (
ou were just perfect enough to claim
.ou for his own.
know it is hard to give thee up, it
5 hard for me, as a friend, to realize
will never see your bright face again
fter such delightful moments II anti
ipating il reunion. | next thought of
hat home, how empty. how vacant,
nd how noiseless it will be, the Girls
Il gone and only the quiet footsteps of
iaat mother-tO be heard lingering in