The Globe-republican., 1890-12-31
THE SISTERS.

Detroit readers will readily understand the
implication OF this poem. To those outside it Is
proper to say that the sequel refers to the case
OF Matilda Oresch, ten years Of age, who had
her entire scalp torn from her head by her hair
being caught by revolving shaft Her sister
Emma, two years Older, voluntarily submitted
to have piece of skin, eight by five and one
hall inches, cut from her side, to graft upon her
sisters head, but to keep the skin alive until
1t should adhere it was left attached by a mar
row strip to Emma's body, and the two were
bound together, remaining thus for four days. |
In Pagan Rome Of read the legend right,
In early dawn Of Messianic light,
Two sisters dwelt. Twin born, they grew,
So like to like, that next 10 kin scarce knew
One from the other. In air, in form, in voice,
In color, stature, eye, nor hair, was choice
So dwelt these sisters, matched in ev'ry grace,
No less than stature color, form and face,
And equal matched in loye-each seemed to
share
With each, each thrill Of joy, each heart-throb,
cloud or care.
Thus sped their lives, till one, the story heard,
That told OF life eternal-the cherished word
That since myriad millions has been given,
Anchor OF hope and faith, the hope Of Heaven.
She was condemned, but ere the fell decree
Consigned her to the beasts, she asked to see
Her sister. Entwining arm in arm they came
To the arena. But which: Who: Which one?
The name:
The herald vainly asked; "'Tls me-" said one,
"'tis /:
am the one that is condemned to de-
mo, no! it's me, tits me!'' the other said
MY sister, here would suffer in my stead"
Who Shall De umpire in the strange dispute,
Where love claims sacrifice, and self is mute!
Peering far upward in the azure sky,
&c %hx1
Nearer 1t comes, and soon appears dove
Messenger OF hope, emblem Of faith and love.
Its forward course is stayed, and circlng round
1t seeks resting place upon the ground
Comes near, and hovers DER the sisters Digit
Holding debate on which one to alight.
The choice is made-the painting bird finds rest
Upon the hand for which it was in quest.
A hoarse shout rends the air: "'Tis she! tits
she.
Let none dispute the fateful augury-
The dove, mute witness, doth the truth declare
Tha gods are umpire 'twixt tn accusing pair,
Lst aer fair form to bowling beasts be borne,
And desh from limb and limb from limb, be
torn"
Yet pause: What message doth the voy'geur
bringf
What fate's concealed beneath her faithful
wing?
And read the contents of the fateful scroll.
1.-The legions in the field this Gay proclaimed
new regime-another Caesars named;
Henceforth the new faith may abide in peace,
And bloody persecution hence doth cease"
Dispersed in rage the disappointed throng
While converts joined in joyful praise and song;
The sisters breathed their holy love anew,
And twining arm in arm with grateful hearts
withdrew.
Change we the scene upon another stage
And find the heroine in our modern age.
Here is no dread Of persecution grim
No beasts ferociouS rend the quivering limb;
Yet tyrant commerce claims her coigne Of
greed
In mine and shaft her countless victims bleed
Her engines rend the flesh and grind the bone
And wrench from tender youth kind natures
crown
If Roman maiden would her sister save
By suffering for her, no less grandly brave
Is she who yields her tender flesh. to mend
A sisters hurt-her blood with hers to blend
II the patrician may her guerdon claim,
The humble heroine holds an equal fame
Few dramas have pathos more intense
Than this we write--the day and night suspense
Where lie the sisters, bounden side by side
Awaiting issue Of thing untried.
Not twins by birth, yet new born twins are
they
Their mingling blood m arlss later natal day
The cords that bind them are their matrice |
mold
A love thus nurtured never can grow cold.
S. B. McCracken, in Detroit Free Press.