The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1891-10-22
IN MEMORIAM.

EARNEST FAw is dead" This was the
announcement that came into our parson.
age home few days ago, bringing with il
| shadows that seemed to mock the sunshine
of the bright October day. A gloom, that
stilled the laughter of happy children, fell
upon our little circle, as we tried to real
ize that it was even so 1t was so harG to
think of death in connection with the
bright, brave boy And even now | catch
myself thinking of him and of the welcome
that he will give NE, when / go back to
| our dear old Marietta home. But, alas
no more will see his eyes light up with
friendly greeting or feel the touch of his
vanished hand, or hear the sound of the
voice that is still. IL would have been a
| melancholy comfort TO have been with the
throng of friends that came to pay the last
sad tribute of respect to his memory, who
covered the casket with such sweet, pre-
cicus flowers, and consecrated the new
made grave with their unbidden tears
My heart could speak such tender syDlpa>
thieS, such loving eulogies, but voice and
pen alike fail me. And yet | would ex-
press in some faint way the thoughts that
arise in me, as the character of my dear,
dead friend, his sweetness, his purity, his
strength, his truth, all pass before me in
swift but sombre review.
He had but passed his twentieth year
Born, August 10Th, 1871. But iii the brief
period Of his earthly existence, he lived
longer than most men live In fifty years.
There was a maturity of mental concep:
ton and OF moral character that distin
guished him above every young man of
his age | have ever known. He never
knew what it was to be disloyal to princi>
pie or untaithful to duty. His slender
form enclosed a soul as stalwart as that of
many a hero whose deeds ale embalmed in
song or story In the sturdiness OF his
convictions in his self.Sacrifcing devotion
to truth and right, and yet withal his gem
tleness and never failing courtesy, he chal
| lenged the admiration of all who knew
him. The religious element in his nature
was pre- eminently strong On his fifteenth
birthday, he united with the church, and
ever after proved himself valiant and
faithful soldier in the army OF King Jesus.
He seemed to have been born Christian.
In his home life. no word of unkindness
fell from his lips His sister writes 1--WE
can look back over his life and love him
for every word he spoke" His thought
fulness tor others, was ever noticeable.
The last time | ever saw him, he manifest
ed his love for me and his thoughtfulness
for my comfort in score of unobtrusive
little ways. He loved to make other PEG.
pie happy, and have seen the tears start
from his eyes as | uttered some word OF
appreciation and told him what comfort
and help he was to me. But he is gone
yet it Is only to brighter, sweeter world
And there he has all tina: his soul SO much
loved. He delighted in the beautiful. The
tender grace OF flower, the gorgeous
glory of autumn leaves, the resplendent
sunset OF summer sky, were to him
sources OF perennial delight. On the
heavenly landscape there rests no cloud,
and with undimmed eyes he leasts upon
the vision OF that city of gold and gazes
with rapture upon the King in his Reau-
ty." His earthly work is done, and he
now fully realizes the blessedness OF the
rest and the gladness of the Father
| Home.
After the shower the tranquil sun
After the snow, the Emerald leaves
Silver stars alter the day is done;
After the harvest, golden sheaves.
After the burden, the bisstul mead
After the flight, the dowuy nest;
After the turrow the waking seed
After the shadowy river, rest.
HUGH X. WALKER.
Birmingham, Ala.