The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-04-16
In Memoriam.


Dead Did we write? Can we forget
That some of them are speaking to yet?
Their spirits live in fairer cline than this
Where, select and blest in the noon-tide of bliss
Their souls will eterna1ly shine"
Lily Ruth Craig passed from earth-life
to heaven-life at eight O'Clock on Wednes-
day morning, April Z, 1897.
There is a sob in the morning breeze, a
sigh in the evening air, all nature weeps
in sadness, gloom, gloom is everywhere
and we stand awe stricken and with
trembling lips pray, "Thy will be DONE
One beautiful summer day, June 9TH,
nearly nineteen years ago a sweet little
girl opened her blue eyes on the lowell
ness of this world in the home of Charles
r. and Mary Wright Craig Rightly
named Lily Ruth; Lily for her fair face,
dancing blue eyes, light flaXen hair, and
slender graceful FORM Ruth denoting
beauty of character A sunbeam in the
home through her happy childhood, she
was always bright, merry and good, full
of sprightly mischief and rollicking fun.
At very early age Ruth showed a great
love and marked talent for music which
gift she, cultivated until she had become
fine pianist. Ruth also possessed rich
cOntratO voice and sang with rare sweet
ness. She was also learning to play the
cornet, This musical ability has been
great source of pleasure to her many
use her gifts for the enjoyment of all.
In her school life Ruth endeared her.
self to her teacher and mates by her
winning ways and faithful performance
of school duties. Possessing a very clear,
keen intellect, she had an unusually well
balanced mind. In her home life she was
the beautiful, dutiful happy-spirited
daughter and gentle, helpful sister.
From tOddling child Ruth had had
very active part in all the work connect
ed with her church and in all other wor-
thy objects she has been one who was al
ways ready to work and give of her best
talents and efforts to promote the pleas
ure or good of the community. Ruth
never neglected church or church duties
for other interests but put shoulder to
the wheel and helped all worthy objects
Society has lost, one of its brightest jew
els for Ruth was girl of strong sterling
character, pure in thought word and act
and her association wi til her mates was
always tending towards nobler, higher
aims.
Ruth's fine literary taste was develop
ing rapidly as she grew older. She was
fond of good books and read much. Her
influence in this regard was felt greatly
III the societies of young ladies of which
she was loved member. She was devot-
edly fond of the Woods Library and not
long ago was heard to say she hoped soon
to see some beautiful pictures and some
beautiful marble statuary placed there,
as well as many more valuable books.
Ruth was a general favorite with old
and Young alike as was most unquestion-
ably shown when she was attacked with
the dread disease, la grippe in it's worst
form. During the two weeks of her very
serious illness the whole town inquired
hourly each day for her, hoping and pray
ing for her recovery Tenderest care on
the part of her parents and loving friends
and neighbors and the constant attention
of her faithful physician could not save
her. Everything was done for her that |
love, care and medical skill could do but |
Ruth quietly and peacefully passed away |
and after the dreadful suffering ceased |
with the few last breaths came the most |
joyous heavenly light into her face-a
happy smile-lilIe gleam from the pearly |
gates aiar that assured us that she caught |
a glimpse of greater peace and happiness |
than she had ever known.
Gods finger touched her and she slept"
The sun hid its face in gray clouds, all
sounds were hushed, the town was in
The funeral services were held at the |
residence of Mr.. Craig on Wright avenue |
at three O'Clock on Friday afternoon, Col !
{. f. Clark in charge. Rev. f. W. Lewis |
assisted by Rev. H. T. Barnard, afficiated |
The singing by the Cecilian Quartette |
Sweetly Solemn Thought" and Nearer |
my God to Thee were exquisitely rem
dered. The bearers were Messrs. Sleeper, |
Albee, Burbeck and Worthen. Twenty |
young ladies, her most intimate friends,
in a body each wearing white |
carnat ions, Ruth's favOrite flower, which /
they deposited in the casket as a farewell |
offering. The house was filled with sor-
rowing friends and neighbors offering
their sympathy.
The grave was beautifully lined with |
evergreens and white, the work of Ruth's |
staunch and loyal friends among the |
young men, who with saddened hearts !
and bowed heads reverently awaited by
the grave the coming of the funeral |
cOrtege. The many and beautiful floral /
tributes testified to the great love and |
esteem in which Ruth was held. Her
place will never be wholly filled. Memo |
ry will keep her sweet and lovely life an
to her young friends always.
They will miss her bright smile and merry
salutatiOn but her noble ambition always /
to do her best will lead them ever onward |
and upward.
The record of a pure and spOtless life |
is hers and the high ideal she so beauti- |
fully embodied remains to us a glorious
heritage
Another hand is beckoning us.
Another call is given,
And glows once more with angel-steps
The path which reaches Heaven.
Fold her, o Fatherl in thine arms
And let her henceforth be
A messenger of love between
Our human hearts and Thee"
ME-.