The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-09-12

messenger, Death, had Swallowed
her with his black wings and all
human aid seemed powerless.
Slowly but surely she wasted
away. She was great sufferer but
bore it with christian fortitude, and
while it would seem that one so
frail could scarcely linger SO long,
yet the patient pleading eyes often
tod that the spirit was getting
weary and longed to free itself from
the diseased body and be at rest.
Surely she felt that her work here
was done: cheerfnlly aud willingly
she longed to be where the wicked
cease from troubling and the weary
are at rest" Verify, verify it hath
been said: 'They rest from their
labors and their works do follow
them"
Her husband and three of her
children were with her when the
end came. 1t seemed only in the
prime of life and mothers words
we're always of so much import to
them. How could they get along
without those words Of cheer, but
the words so often upon her lips
came to them as sweet consoling
thought, "Fhe Lord is my Shepherd,
[ shall not want"
NJ. A. S.
I'm MEMORY OF MOTHER"
Dear Mother, you were early called
To pay the debt that nature claims
Away from earth its pleasures, hopes and aims,
We sought. by every earthly means
TO avert the great impending day,
When He, who ruled and shaped your destiny
And gave you life. should take that life away.
Beneath the dark death-angel's wing
All human skill was weak and vain;
Our grief, our love, our hopes and tears
Could not bring back your health again.
We sought to save you from your DEATH
But such was not designed to be;
Humanity was weak and powerless
'Gainst heavens dread and stern decree.
In the cold, dark, silent grave
Your wasted form We sadly laid.
How great our grief, you may not know;
Nor how your friends have wep5 and prayed,
When death seemed very far away
And the joys OF life were dear,
We never thought that some sad day
We should so greatly miss you here
We miss YOU oh! we miss you,
When we gather round to eat;
We miss your voice and your smiling face,
There is always one vacant seat.
we miss you from the light and warmth
And from the dear loved voices OF home,
we are sad, that you can never more,
Within their soothing influence come.
Nearer an nearer, every day
Her life was ebbing fast away,
Til her gentle heart forgot to beat
And III slumbers sweet she fell asleep,
Let down the curtains, close the door,
She will need the sunlight never more,
Fold her hands across her breast,
her work Is done, she 8 "gone to rest.
And we, who watched with anxious fear
Her every pain and sigh and breath,
Are left to shed the silent tear
And wonder. if this can be death,
But while our tears in grief we shed,
Remember we've all the same path to tread;
And, that she's only gone before
And waits to meet US on the other shore.
She has taught US beautiful lesson,
OF patience amid pain to endure,
To smile and be glad near the shadow
OF dire Ills, that death only could cure,
And though our hopes are blighted here.
There ID q land beyond this vale OF tt ars,
Where children and friends are reunited,
Let this our sad hearts cheer.
No fear came DER her gentle spirit, when
She passed the dArksome river" only
(thought)
For one left desolate; the Psalmist's words,
The Lord my Shepherd is, shall not fear
Breathing out her faith and love; and thus
She passed from earth to heaven.
Sleep on. dear Mother and take thy rest
God called thee home.
He thought 1t BEST from sin and sorrow free,
May we prepare to follow thee
-ETTIE NOBLE SEyEY.