Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1924-03-20

of an old Scottish ballad Possibly
she had never heard the words, but
hey epitomize the spirit in which she
lived and died. There Is something
lofty in their meaning, something that
brings to mind cloud sailing gently
over the horizon-never to be seen
again. The words are:
Pm fading ava Jean,
Like snaw-wreath in the thaw, Jean
I'm fadin ava Jean,
To the land o. the leal
But weep ma, my ain Jean,
The worlds cares in vain, Jean.
Wen meet and aye be-fain, Jean,
In the land o. the leaL"
The land O. the lear' is dear to the
heart of the Scotchman, for it signi-
Ties eternal happiness.
In the graveyard where she was
buried just a scant few days ago
lie some of her children and her
parents. Farther away, toward the
foothills, lies a brother. 1t must give
the spirit kindly feeling to know
that the tired body has been privileged
to lie down to rest under the sod
upon which the feet once trod. The
real westerner always liked it best
when he could die with his boots
on" Those Of less daring could equal
ly well like to be put to sleep among
the hills which they romped during
childhood, lahored during life, and
revered during later years.
A shaft of marble will soon shoot
up amongst the scores already in the
graveyard. 1t may be costly one,
the work of the finest marble cutter.
the master phrase builder. The
choicest grass may be cultivated dur
ing summertime, the most fragrant
flowers planted. Every other device
may be employed to keep afresh in
memory the. spot where she lies But
going to the grave Of dear one to
get closer to the spirit of the one
gone on is merely a practice. After
all it must be remembered that the
body is only a temporary stopping
place for the soul and spirit.
Those who knew Mrs. Johnson, who
had an opportunity to see her when
the dark clouds of sorrow, of which
there were many, compelled her to
exert her greatest fortitude, realize
that they have at their command
monuments far greater and lasting
than any that money can erect on
the surface of the ground. Kindly
words, thoughts, and deeds inspire in
the hall of the mind better memories
than visions of the finest marble mon
,uments. Floral offerings do not tell
all feither. They soon wither and re-
turn to dust, just as does the one in
whose honor they are given. But, if
everyone who holds this kindly soul
in the same spirit of reverence as
does the writer, were to place upon
her grave small handful of roses,
her choice, she would sleep tonight
beneath a mountain of flowers. But
the flowers put there now are gone by
spring while each succeeding spring
time will only refresh the memories.
Mrs. Johnson is not dead. Death
has come to her body. Her spirit
has found work greater and more
noble than her body could bear. That
spirit actuated by the same noble
ideals that she held during her life
time, cannot be confined in a grave.
Coming to Camas Prairie before the
virgin soil had felt the white mans
plow she had an opportunity to wit
ness, while being an actor, one Of the
greatest of dramas. She helped build |
the west, small as the part of any |
individual may be. She loved her |
west and her west returned that love. |
IT is hoped that the hills she loved |
so dearly will rest lightly upon her,
h. fosr
nave lulled her gently to sleep.