Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-03-15

THE DEATH OF HARTMAN BOHDA.

Hartman Bohda was born on the 22d OF Feb
ls2o, and died on the 9th of March. 1880, aged
| 10 years and 10 days.
With all his wondrous endowments 1t has
not been given to man to read the riddle OF his
own existence. From the blank Chaos OF the
past we spring into beings like bubbles on the
ocean or flowers on the plain. The spark q
extinguished by the touch of death, and IL be-
comes us as rational beings, to submit without
murmur to that which we know to be inevi-
table. Death is both natural and inevitable.
Birth and death are in fact mere processes
OF all animate nature. Both are but the fulfill
mentof nature and law. and whether In life
OF In death, we are still in the arms of nature; ;
still subject to the same m sterious and In
comprehensive power from which we derived
our being. Why should We then fear that
which comes to aIi9 The future has been fill
ed with terrore, and stained and polluted by
superstition. but all should be brave enough
TO meet what all the dead have met. The
earth that nourished our bodies shall claim
eneh and every one of them TO be Dissolved 10
earth again. All that breathe shall share our
destiny, for all shall sleep beneaih the shadow
OF the clouds regardless alike of the sunshine
and storm, Death Is a monarch who reigns
over all creatures that live upon the earth. In
every land he maketh all heads bow and all
hearts cease to beat at his command. Death
knows nothing of earthly titles. fame or pow
err, nor of the endearments of friendship and
love, or OF the charms of grace and beauty.
The great. the proud and the rich must sub
mit as well as the unknown, and the bumble
and the poor. The silent messenger is no re-
spector of persons. lie cuts down the strong
man in the possession of all ais powers; the
young maiden Ia the beauty of youth. and the
smiling babe in its mothers arms. No pray
ers nor virtues can keep him back. Every
form that lives must die, for such is the law
OF our physical being, and no human power
can break the stern decree. Man springeth
up like tree. At first as a tender plant he
puts forth buds of promise, then blooming iR-
to maturity for time he basks in the sun
shine and battles with the storms of this life
but ere long his strength fails. his eye grows
dim. his locks are whitened with the frosts of
time. and he passes away to make room for
other generations of men on earth. His hopes
and aspirations. like the countless leaves OF
the forests, may wither and be blown about by
the adverse winds of fortune, but his laudable
efforts, which spring from the fruitful source
OF wise endeavor, fructify the earth, from
which Will rise blooming harvest OF happy
results to mankind.
dis epitaph might be written:
. Here lies an honest man, friend of and
believer In humanity. He sought to make the
world better for his having lived in it. The
world was his country. and to do good his re-
ligion." Solemnly, reverenty place the earth
over his honored bones. and over the mounds
which marks his resting place, let ms plaut
fragrant flowers of sweet memories that Will
blossom and twine their loving tendrils
around our hearts and keep forever green the
memory of the loving one at rest in mother
earth.
Rest, departed comrade. ia the grave sacred
to those who still stand In the ranks from
which you have fallen.