Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1891-01-01
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 a revolving shaft Her sister
Emma, two years older, voluntarily submitted
10 have piece OF skin. eight by five and one
half 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 mar
row strip to Emmas body, and the two were
bound together, remaining thus for four days. I
In Pagan Rome (if read the legend rightly,
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 dir, 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 love-each seemed to
share
With each, each thrill of joy, each heart-throb,
cloudo 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 L;
am the one that is condemned to de-
mo, no! tits 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, AVID self is mute?
Peering far upward in the azure sky,
A floating Speck is thrown upon the eye;
Nearer it comes, and soon appears dove,
Messenger Of hope, emblem of faith and love-
Its forward course is stayed, and circlng round,
1t seeks n resting place upon the ground
Comes near, and hOverS Ger 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
The gods are umpire 'twixt tn accusing pair
Let her fair form to bowling beasts be borne,
And flesh from limb, and limb from limb be
torn
Yet pause: What message doth the voy'geur
bring?
WHAT fates concealed beneath her faithful
wing?
The herald shall the silent scrip unroll
And read the contents of the fateful scroll.
a new regime-another Caesars named;
benceforth the new faith may abide in peace
hnd 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.
II Roman maiden would her sister save
By suffering for her. no less grandly brave
Is she who yields her tender flesh, to mend
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 a thing untried.
Not twins by birth, yet newborn twins are
they
Their mingling blood N arks later natal day
mold
A love thus nurtured never can grow cold.
S. B. McCracken, in Detroit Free Press.