Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-28
IN MpMoR1AM

IN MEMoRIAnL
An Astonishing Obituary and Philoso-
phicaI Poem.
ISusquehnnna TranscrlptJ
The traglcal event In the pond OF South
Gibson
Strikes us with horror, when we think
Of the case
or the five little lads who were shut in
its prison,
And deprived of their lives In its
frozen embrace.
BY presuming on the strength OF the
Ice or Its thickness,
They ventured their all for the sport
to pursue,
Their presumption, alasl turned out to
be madness.
When they, the poor victims, disap-
peared from view.
NO adult, as eyewitness, was to rem
der assistance,
The mirthful young regiment went
down In group.
And with the surroundings that pre-
sented resistance
For their living deliverance. there
could be no hope.
They had been admonished by their
parents and teachers,
But their blind, childish urgency
prompted them on
10 the tempting smooth ice, with their
sled as the bearer,
Till the death-trap was sprung and
the fatal work done.
THE ice sheet so enticing was too thin
for the pressure
Ehey doubtless thought not of the
dangers concealed.
How older ones oft indulge in vain
pleasure.
AS thoughtless as they were, IN re-
gard to the yield.
Though the physical laws are rigid. i'm
mutable.
They are modified greatly by the
force OF mans mind.
In sense. under rational insight. con-
trollable
But the requisite conditions he must
search for and find.
BY this most sad instance we are clear
ly admoniShed
To beware Of presumption and
thoughtlessness in life.
A regard for obedience and cordially
cherished
On the part OF our dear ones-would
have Stunned this death strife.
A group may be iimpeled, by mutual
influence,
To dare what alone one would not
even attempt:
BY presuming on q merit and division
of sequence,
Each one Will conclude that he, only,
is exempt.
This incident was sad beyond human
expression.
Parental heartstrings were torn from
their roots:
And not only these, but the tendcrest
emotions,
Throughout the whole regions were
not passive. deaf mutes
The scene i'm the church will ne'er be
forgotten:
Five little white caskets with crys-
taizcd forms inside
A soulthrilling spectacle, the real can't
be written;
We will leave it, abruptly, the chasm
is too wide.
But behold what n change, the young
limbs that were active
Two hours anteccdcntly now rigid in
death.
The cheeks that were so glowing with
health and so sportive.
Insensibe, now, to a mothers warm
breath.
The factor that moved the organism so
deity.
Itself had entity as manifest
cause:
For the being of the soul we claim con-
tinuity
AS energy IS conserved and we reflec-
lively pause.
Inc absence OF lie seems 10 aUu 10
the beauty
or IT, cherubc tint on the faces
there, calm;
But moments reflection whispered to
each party,
That all that confronted them was
merely the framc
The inmates had left their material
mansion:
Had returned TO the Fountain. the
Givcr OF life.
Each ono. respectively, with his per-
sOnal distinction.
To expand in a realm above deaths
cold strife.
BY the light of ray from the world
that is higher.
We can see. in a measure, through
the darkness of this,
What contributes to support us in pc
RODS of danger
To the faithful believer It's Tore
taste of bliss.
This light we observe in us doesn't
originate.
Rather we receive it, and reflect it,
il only we WILL
Our ethical status we really determine
AS we are disposed to and their con-
dition to I'LL
A SUMMARY DEDUCTION.
To struggle for happiness. in the alb
stract. is to lose 1t.
Endeavorng for worthiness we NAV
it attain.
This rational alternative, whatever
may appoint II,
Tn itself. ever forms an infinite gain.
Selfmade approbation in the light of
true rectitude
Has no factor in common with the