The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1910-01-22
MARY IN HEAVEN

Dear Mary. the sweetest name on
mortal tongue. )
In the spring OF 1868, while part OF
the great Army OF the Potomac was
stationed in and around old Harper's'
Ferry, Va, heard the heart-thriling
song OF Mary in Heaven" Tie &C.
casion was the celebration of Saint
Patrick's day by the Irish Brigade,
which was lying on Bolivar Heights,
just above the historic city. Never,
while life shall stop with me, will |
forget that 18TH of March, 1868, The
songstress OF the occasion was beau
tiful young Irish American woman
from the city of New York. She was al
famous stage singer, and had been i'm
portuncd by the officers of the brigade,
many OF whom were related to her, toI
come and sing for them. on this day,
so dear to the Irish heart She was al
brunette Of the most pronounced type.
Tall and symmetrical, with long wav-
ing black hair, that hung loose below
her wasp-like waist But her eyes; oh l
her glorious jet black eyes, they werel
the most beautiful that | ever saw.
She had sung several OF the grand old
Scotch songs, Burns "Highland Mary" !
the Rye" The wish was expressed
that the famous singer would favor hcrI
audience with the song entitled Mary
in Heaven" referring to that writtenI
by Burns, commencing:
Thou lingering star, with less ming ray,
Thou lov'st to greet the carp morn,
Again thou usher'st in the day
My Mary from my soul was torn"
But how strange that forty-six years
after the event. at Harper's Ferry, the
odd Scribe" dreamed the whole tab
leau over again Again | heard the
angelic voice OF the beautiful vocalist
as she so Sweetly sang OF Burns's
Mary in Heaven" And | can not
keep from repeating the words" Mary
in Heaven" and they awaken a pecu->
Lar train of reflection Burns of course
had reference to his departed High
land Mary, whom he was about to lead
to the marriage altar, when sudden
death came and robbed him OF his
would-bc bride
But there is a sweetness in these
words, and thev are suggestive OH
thoughts clear to many a heart. Marvl
in Heaven! How many, who we're,
once called by that name on earth. are
now among the redeemed! Were theyN
all collected in any part OF the Glory
Land, what an interesting band it
would be; how sweet the songs of
praise which the Marys OF glory pour
forth, and how tender and strong the
love they bear to their Redccmer! The
grandmother, the mother, the sister,
the wife. the sweetheart and MARY.
the mother OF Jesus would be among
them. More OF that sweet name have
gone in heaven than of any other
name by which man or woman is called:
and every month and day, perhaps. |
should say every hour, the number is
increasing. OF my many readers, is
there not one that has known some
Mary in Heaven? | can for myself re-
call more than score of ther.. with
out going beyond the circle Of those L
dearly loved, and many others can do
the same, | am sure
Mary in lieaven To how many
families these words have a signif-
canoe which no language can describe.
lhey once had Mary among them,
loved, loving and pune; but now she is
theirs no longer. Aye. and to how
many an individual have these words
sun more significant mcaning-like
that which Burns gave to them. Each
OF them had a Mary, once, to whom
was given the affection, the confidence,
the pledge OF a true and earnest heart.
But the grim monster egmes tbs lair
may confidently look for another ut
mpaign on the franchise issuc-and an
e Democrats, we presume. NAV con ~
lently look for another Scoop" of *
e Legislature while the Campaign is :
d
all