The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1913-12-05

liant little spirit looking out at lie graVelS
as she developed into girlhood:
And the girl was rarely gifted as she
grew toward womanhood. Keen of In
telIect, warm of heart, steadfast of pur.
pose, with a poetic imagination and 8
/ sweet loveableness, she gave abundant
promise of the woman she was to be.
On January H. 1865, she became the
wife of William H. Atkinson and came,
a bride of twenty, to live in Newbury, the
village that was to be her home for forty
eight wears. Here she took part in all the
activities of the community. 1t was she
who rescued the childron's mission band
when it was near extinction, made Its
meetings delightful and edited its little
paper, 1.-THE Beacon Lights" AS trustee
and secretary of the library, and as mem
Der and Regent of the Daughters of the
American Revolution, she worked untlr-
! ingly. She it was who caused to be mark
ed the graves of all Revolutionary soldiers
in the town. Her hand was in every good
work. In Newbury her three daughters
were born. In Newbury, in that Atkin-
son house that overlooks the meadows, on
Nov II, 1913, her death brought grief to
all the village that had loved her so long
and so we'll. Unnumbered friends North,
South and West also were saddened; for
Mrs. Atkinson had travelled much and
for some years had spent her winters in
California or Florida Wherever she
went. there devoted friends gathered
about her.
People loved Mrs. Atkinson as much as
they admired her. She was woman Of
beauty and charm, of rich gifts of mind,
and heart and soul.
Hers was mind of unusual quality,
alert, vivid, inventive; quick tograsp essen
tials, of playful fancy "a quality perhaps
inherited from her father with great fa-
cility in expression, poetic imagination
and a keen sense of humor. Permeating
all was an individuality, a touch of person
atty that eludes definition. Her friends
recognized this happy something, essence
of her very self, delighted in it and loved
it. She was musical. Her voice was very
sweet and true and she was generous with
her gift. For years, Sunday after Sun
day, she sang in the church choir; and
who of her friends will forget her voice or
lose from memory her gracious picture as
she sang.
She had also a we'll developed sense of
rhythm. To write in verse came naturally
and easily to her. Though what she wrote
was seldom published, her family and
friends keep many a priced copy of her
verse, many a grateful note
yivifed by her bright spirit.
Rarely endowed as she was with sense
If humor, her Witty speeches left no sting.
The qualities of her heart dominated those
If her intellect. The heart held the head
n leash. No one can think of her without
some kind thing she said or
lid. To the last her first thought was for
,thers and one of her last conscious acts
vas a gift to sick friend. She loved |
,eople and she was greatly loved Few |
women know such devotion as was hers IN |
er family, and among her friends.
And back of brilliance and charm OF in |
elect, back of warmth of heart were the
stones of that "long inherit |
nee" of virtues that came down to her |
rom her fathers and her fathers fathers; |
atience fortitude, self-control, faithful
ess, serenity, charitableness, cheerfulness
nd courage, courage in marvellous degree.
VI Mrs. Atkinson, life made great demands.
ears of pain made persistent inroads on
er fortitude and cheerfulness, yet she
ever wavered. Long illnesses assailed
er COURAGE yet, if in her heart of hearts
)meJlLueS Her SplIlJ qudllcuj OuONaiuiJ IL
-as always serene and high.
Gentle, lovable, gifted and sweetly gra-
Gus, accomplishing in illness, unwaver-
lg in her faith in God, incorporating
/ her adherence to ideals, with high cour-
ge and sweet undaunted patience she has
ONE to the end of the earthly road.
But, lord" she said, " my shoulders still are
strong
have been used to bear the load so long
And see, the hill is passed. and smooth he
Yet" said the Stranger, yield me now thy
load
emily he took It from her and she stood
raight limbed and 1.-THE, in new-iound made n
hood
mid long sunt fields; around them sprang
tender breeze. and birds and rivers sang.
Nv lord =" she said, the land is very fair "
niling he answered Was it not so there "
There ?" In her voice wondering question lay:
Was not always here, then, as to-day
e turned to her with strange, deep eyes afame:
Knowest thou not this kingdom, nor my Manner
Nay" she replied but this understand
nat thou art Lord Of Life in this dear land "
Yea, child he murmured, scarce above his
breath
Lord Of the Land but men have named me
Death"
At the Top of the Road
fN1sWa