Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-04-20

to arrange his residence so that it might
be an attractive centre, around which
would gather the many family associa-
tons engendered by such numerous Off
spring. But the boys as they grew up
began to experience a restless spirit which
was born in the grandfather John, and
intensified by his participation in the re-
volution; and so three of them went
through n brave service in the army of
the union, and all into some of the most
enterprising sections of the country
lsasc S. displayed such a business capacity
and fidelity in conducting his interests in
large trust company in Philadelphia
that the results exceeded his own expec-
tations. Joseph l.. and Herbert Z. arc
also in Philadelphia and are doing q
most prosperous business and are among
its best citizens. All of them are so busily
engaged as to give time only fpr fondly
passing glance at the old homestead
with all its childish memories. But the
old man, reluctant to leave his home,
where the wife and mot her died some nine
years since, remained in it until last au-
tumn, when the sons inviting him to
spend the winter in their comfortable
homes in Philadelphia, he left his hearth
with kindling ready to be lighted on his
return. and left the faithful old mastiff
to friendly care, so that he too might re-
turn to his accustomed place in the old
freight.
But there is no blaze upon the hearth
and the faithful animal wandered into
the hushed and subdued assembly with
decorous yet startling instinct before
anyone discovered his presence; and no
one now knows of how much he knew of
what had happened. witnessing his de-
monstrations all knew that he must have
known at least that the occasion was
sadly strange. And there let US leave the
mystery of many things
Seldom does there come an occasion
bringing with it such compensations and
consultations to family for the loss OF
one OF its members. 4 long life had been
granted to him. He had accomplished
his own hopes and ambitions and was
living in those of his children. They had
grown to manhood and womanhood,
and with industry, honor and fidelity to
lies grand purposes they had become
woveR into good social relations. He
had given to the world boys brave i'll the
country's defence and in the enterprises
OF peace, and daughters fit to repeat the
primitive virtues started in the homes OF
good wives and mothers. one o { the be s t
of whom was waiting for him in a path
that is
lost to humsn eye among the bowers
And living fountains of a brighter land
When the messenger came he was sur.
rounded with all the cares that brave and
competent men and kind and affrctionate
women can bestow. II was pleasant
peaceful time to die. He died in the hope
that the old homestead would be kept
from the hand of strangers. The chill
drrn have by manly, generous conference
secured this; and it is by no means the
least consoling feature in the situation
But was his situation and his life work
SO desirable as to leave no opposite con
snierations? When some one of us is in
dicated in whose heart there is not n bit
ter consciousness of ten LIVES more and
greater faults than we ourselves ever
knew in him will send nv charity to
starvc in hovcl and answer that He
was somewhat rigid in his ideas. He
was characteristic OF the primitive time
in which he lived and which is called in
a more fawning and compromising period
arbitrary. He was the very last of the
founders OF this town who are separa
ted from its more recent habitants by a
distinct line He lived ina rough time
the rustic memories of which suggest
only substantial realities, when life wa,
not regarded simply as a game unre
strained by principles OF right, whcr
perjury was n crime. and the forfeiture
OF business words was dlshonorablc; and
| he was true to the substantial feature:
OF those times, loyal to his country
true to his friends and faithful TO his en-
gagements, and withal one Of the Most
hospitable men of the times He did not
go selhshly through the world forgetting
the old injunction.
As he lay quietly surrounded with tn,
living results of his life, how could tn,
good parson forbcar to portray in kline
and very appropriate words the Ger
tainty OF death and the measureles
significance of living; or the joyous hope
full thoughts of all who came along il
life with the now silent man, and wht
will joir him soon in the general throug
moving on to the accomplishment of tn
universal purposes for which all mankint
are destined! What words of solemn
mockery would he have uttered il he hat
said tina. all the hopes and JOYS ant
destiny Of all these beings which thi
mans life had brought along ended RICH
here: that earthly life is only real, ant
all else is empty, hollow nothingness
We pause before a mystery; but gladl