Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1902-04-17
'.she hath done what she could.

WHO dEO Olu have Ii lOlSAS{ Ill uOdV-
en- than here. So to an aged traveller
one who has lived the life of the
righteous, the exit from this world, or
death, as we are pleased to call it, is
but an entrance into the charmed
circle of home.
What a swelling Of angelic song
arose to meet the soul of Ellen Chaffee
what stretching out Of kindred
hands as the pearly gates swung back
to let her in! Truly of such we can
say, 'The redeemed of the Lord shall
return and come with singing unto
Zion, and everlasting joy shall eupon
their heads; they shall obtain JOY and
gladness, and sorrow and signing shall
flee away. They shall hunger no more
neither shall the sun light on them,
nor any heat, for the Lamb which is
in the midst of the throne shall feed
them, and lead them to living four-
tains of water; and God himself shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes"
And so death indeed is swallowed
up in victory-the grave is conquered,
and heaven comes to our thoughts as
familiar place, fairer, dearer home
than any we have known, where we
shall have back again the blessed COM
partnership mourncd for here, with no
perpetual doubting-no fear OF part
ing.
friendships pure. o loves unfadng!
l dream of you all when my dark days
come
And when the black waters my eyes are
shading,
May your bright forms smile me well
come home.
With the closing of Miss Ellen Chat
fees career long life of usefulness is
ended. She was pioneer OF Grant
county and a teacher for probably
more years than any person in south
western Wisconsin. Many men and
women, gray haired now, remember
the influence for good received from
her instructions. She was woman OF
broad intellect and liberal ideas. Her
cultured mind, with many a golden
gem of beautiful thought, retained its
vigor, even though the form was bent
and the hair whitened by the borrowed
time on which she lived. She was I'M
wavering in action Or speech when she
thought she was right, and unfalllng
in her affections. Strong in all those
virtues which ennoble womanhood and
inspire action to>a higher plane Of liv-
ing, with
Faith that witnstood the shocks of toll
and time;
Hope that defed despair.
Patience that conquered care,
she has left her impress.
Her friendship was of the sort re-
Gently defined by an acquaintance OF
hers as time tried and fire-tested."
AS the years crept on apace she en-
loved more and more what she was
pleased to call "heart to heart" talks
with her ''soul" friends. Her moral
courage was as strong as her Christian
grace
In most lives there is a leaf "fold-
ed down." In hers there was closed
page. She had her romance and she
was true as STEEL That story, with
other facts which the curious would
be glad to know shall lie buried with
her. She held sacred every trust, so
shall we regard her wishes.
Her devotion to an invalid sister
ended her career as a teacher. Later
she cared for her aged parents and
laid them all away to rest alone, with
no kindred near to share her vigils or
drop tear with her beside the dying
beds. For some years later she lived
alone upon the secluded homestead in
the township Of Waterloo. About five
years ago she came to Lancaster where
she had since enjoyed pleasant inter
course with many friends and been a
consistent and constant worshiper in
her beloved church, whose portals she
entered as a member more than a half
century ago. She evidently plucked
much enjoyment out of life and was
fairly we'll until few months ago,
when disappointment came to her
that no doubt hurried to it's close a
Justly proud and independent life
1t brings compassionate throb to the
heart of every acquaintance to remem-
Der that. in her old age, such a sorrow
should come to her, bringing with it
the bitter fear of coming need. She
had relatives who would undoubtedly
have relieved her of all anxiety, but
they were far distant and did not
know. A remarkable power Of will
kept her on her feet until within a
week of dissolution.
During her illness she was not only
skilfully treated by her physicians,
but received also from them the ten
derest solicitude. Kind friends came
and went, all hearts sorrowing for the
lonely sufferer, and all hands DESTROYS
of doing something for her relief.
She desired that all who thought kind
ly of her be thanked, that all who had
wronged her, if there were such, be
forgiven, and exemplified beautifully
to those about her the glory of a SUI
preme faith.
There was something touchingly
sweet and tender in her pathetic pleas
for a lullaby, "something soft and low
and sweet and when the pain was
greatest she could be soothed by gentle
pattings and soft croonings such as a
| tender mother gives to weary child.
Even the rawlings of delirium could
be controlled by the low repetition of
the Blessed Word, and the story of old
associations or the mention of dear
| friend would quickly restore the tor
tured brain to reason. The One who