The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-01-17

that it was all my own willful neglect of
her and home? If her home was her
heaven on earth why should l have
been so neglectful? It was my duty and
should have been my GREATEST pleasure
to share it with her
at was just two years ago yesterday
that | made my last fatal mistake. 1t
was on Christmas morning. y prize
skating party had been arranged for the
day 1t was to be three miles from the
city on the lake, and as usual I was
to be one of the party, and L decided
that l would leave my darling no more
after that day.
g My dear Margery,' said J. I am go
ing to he skating party today, but /
win return as early in the evening as
possible. Dear husband. she respond
ed do not leave nne today, for l am not
feeling quite well, and you know it is
Christmas day
MY promise was out for that day
and my word once given was invariably
kept. I kissed her little, upturned face
and FASTENED away to join the party.
The day was spent in accomplishing the
most daring feats. and the widest eX-
element prevailed throughout the day.
After the days sport was over we pre-
pared 10 return home. on the way home
we met a company of men and dogs.
A large fox was to be turned loose in
an open field some miles away. Our
party with only few exceptions, were
anxious TO attend the chase. As usual
the majority ruled and the whole party
participated in the chase. 1t was long
after night when [ reached the city, and
as l YVES hurrying home friend met
me who appeared greatly astonished,
and asked me if I was just returning
home from the skating party, and con-
cluded in exciting tones that my wife
was dangerously i'll and had searched
the whole country for me.
n ANYTHING
and sick at heart with painful forebod
ing and remorseful dread ] hurried on.
How l reached home that night / never
knew. Kind DR.. Maynard met me at
the door and led me to the bedside Of
my dying wife She breathed so softly,
and lay so still, that / thought she was
sleeping. How beautiful she looked.
Her golden tresses, which lay loose on
the white pillow, seemed like a sheen
Of glory, while her face was white as
snow Doctor, l whispered, she sleeps
lis she not better?'
No, my friend replied the DOCTOR
this is not sleep. 1t is the stupOr that
precedes death. She will never awaken
Il knelt by my darling and kissed the
beautiful lips which had already grown
icy with the near approach of death. /
clasped the little cold hands in mine and
tried to warm them with my breath
Margery! Margery! / cried, 1 cannot
give thee upi Oh, my darling! look up
love. [ cannot live without you!
OH the awful sorrow of that part
ing. As 1 now look back over my past
life / wonder how / lived and kept my
reason. A kind, motherly woman stood
by Margery's side all the while She
doctor tell her, All is over, poor child;
she will never suffer mOrer
"A strange mist arose before me.
Gradually this world seemed to fade
away, then there came blank in my
life like long, dreamless sleep.
Again L thought 1 wandered over
green fields of Maple farm, while my
Margery walked by my side, as her little
hand nestled confidingly In mine. How
long heaven granted me the boon Of
forgetfulness 1 know not when l again
awakened to full sense of my bereave-
ment.
They laid her to rest in Crowndale
cemetery with her infant in her arms,
while the frosts of many nights have
fallen on her grave. Poor Margeryi In
my dreams see her yet. What a faith
full wife was she! Poor Margery! Poor
Margery!"
Fred ceased speaking and a deep sigh
escaped his lips. Then in a low. mourn
full tone Of voice he repeated the follow
ing lines:
"Sleep on, my love, in thy cold grave,
Never to be disquieted,
Till death by grief or sickness must
Marry my body to that dust.
1t so much loves, and fill the room
My heart keeps empty in the tomb.
Harkl my pulse, like a soft drum.
Bids me go ou-tells thee L come"
Then hearing the sObs of his mother
and sister he turned to them and said:
All those tears! they are refreshing!
They are the dews of heaven Ny tears
are unshed tears. All my grief is seated
here" saying this he placed his hand
over his heart. when all is over with
me, and I shall have been laid to rest
beside my darling, tell my comrades Of
other and happier days my mournful
story. Tell them that they may never
| suffer as I have done. through w1llful
| neglect Of home and the loved ones that
| look to them for earthly happiness.