St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-07-20
East st. Johnsbury...-

Mrs. Palmer Russell died at her home
in Kirby on Friday morning, July
Is, after a brief illness, her spirit
releasing itself silently from the body
as it lay in the painless sleep OF
disease. The deceased had made
the necessary preparations calmly tor
a possible departure, assigning to the
devoted children who ministered at her
side their last duties, and she would have
met death bravely, had she heard his
football.
The funeral was on Saturday, after
noon, Rev. G. w. Patterson Off
ciating, and the large attendance wit
messed to the esteem OF the commu-
nifty for one who, by the altar
and upon the hearthstone, in the house
OF prayer and beneath prospered root.
tree, filled out the measure OF her obllga-
tons with unfaltering courage and fldel.
ty. She came OF vigorous stock, and
amid prolusion of flowers sixty seven
pinks upon the casket told delcately OF
the length Of days vouchsalcd to the
faithful consort and affectionate mother,
whose deeper and essential force remain
cd unimpaired until, in the closing years
of resolute and responsible lite weari-
ness and the need OF repose Tell upon
body and brain with a yelled and I'M
obstrusive approach. Though touched
by frost, the plant that had borne rich
fruitage was spared the sere and yellow
leaf.
Mrs. Russell was a gracious hostess,
OF a genial spir.. and pleasing address,
giving a cordial welcome to all who
stood beneath her roof, or sat at her
board. Her courtesy was that OF the
old school, the envy of studied art be-
cause the gift of sincerity, which has
given to New England its happy fame
for fine manners and gentle breeding
and which cannot disappear from our
borders while church and school sweeten
the human spirit and refine the mind.
There was in Mrs. Russell's voice, apart
from her words. quality OF tone more
readily felt than described timbre OF
tenderness, SO to speak, keyed to the
expression of kindly thought and inter
est, that became touchingly eloquent
and impressive when reference was made
to those in whom her pride rested, and
upon whom she leaned revealing the
mothers heart, as silver bell reveals
the delicate metal OF its composition. 1t
is not often that the physical instrument
ofspeech so unconsciously modulates it.
self to the varied moods OF sympathy.
The ministrations OF Mrs. Russell in the
chambers OF sickness and sorrow, so far
as private cares permitted, must, indeed,
have been full OF comfort. Her CONVEX
saton on ordinary topics mingled easily
humor and sound sense, and gave init
nation OF that judgement and ability
which made the wife wise counselor,
and he widow discreet and competent
executive in the management of business
affairs.
In The main issues and underlying prin-
ciples OF her life Mrs. Russel's character
was prominently strong and true. She
was justly proud of home which her
patience and energy had established
upon sure foundations. Her children, to
whom she had given much, grew up
about her, and were permitted to return
the gift. She died, as she had lived, in
that Christian faith which, when truly
received, renders the possessor loyal,
capable and wise, modest in prosperity,
cheerful in adversely, earnest in the pres
ent stewardship, but eager for the larger
service. G.w.P.
George Woods has been discharged
from Company D at Chickamauga and
arrived here Monday morning. His dis
charge was due to sickness