Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1925-06-25

W ana new DOTn DdUy SiFl, GlOFId
Jean, father, two sistersMrs.
H. w. Maun of GAINESVILLE, o.. and
Mrs. G. Won Vernon of Akron, O.
Only the day before his death he
helped to lay his other sister Mrs.
d. G. Henson in her grave beside
the mother. Hosts of friends are
Talso mourning his untimely death,
for whoever knew Mark Martin was
his friend.
Mark Martin was man among
men. And while the heart of him
who writes this is broken, and his
head bowed with bitter sorrow, yet
he is proud beyond measure that he
had the privilege of calling this boy
his son. He made a friend of every
man he met, and no one ever heard
of any act of his toward fellow
man that was not right and just.
Yea, more than just-charitable. He
met everyone with a pleasant smile,
cheerful greeting and shake of
the hand that spoke from the heart.
He knew sorrows, but kept them as
his own and from his friends. He
knew the pleasures of association
with friends and loved ones, and
held such as treasure beyond pur-
chase price. TO us who knew him
best, he was idolized. He was gen
erous to all, and to the needy he
would divide to the last atom of his
possessions.
To me he was more than a son.
He was my very life, and while the
burden is heavy, yea, doubly SO at
this time, and the sorrow is very
bitter, yet | know that | have hand
ed back to his Creator son whom
shall always remember with pride
and honor / have had the sweet
pleasure of possession of a price
less gem fit for the finest mounting,
and have tried to give back the
treasure untarnished as | received
it.
Mark has solved the great mys-
terry. We are left only for short
time until we, too, shall pass to
join him. We have no fear for
him. for, although we do not know
the great forever, yet we believe the
Almight Power who gave him to
us for time, is abundantly able
and willing to care for him through
out all eternity.
He was a true patriot-not
boaster, but an active true lover of
his country and his flag, and not
afraid to offer his very life and all
in their defense in time of need
Well do we recall the year of 1917,
when our country became engaged
in the greatest war of all times. l
said to my boy: Mark, what will
YOU do?" | will never forget the
ook of pride and love that he gave
me as he replied, For you, Dad,
would rather not go. But when |
get the call / will 60" And he
vent fearlessly and returned a real
soldier for his country and his flag.
He was engaged in many battles in
France, and was honorably discharg-
I'd from his service.
AS We see SO many people pass by |
lis casket in the last few days since |
lie left us, and hear the tributes
If praise for our boy, through their |
tears, we feel that when we |
20, if We could only have such
words spoken of us as we have |
leard said Of him, it would be |
enough We would be satisfied. And |
What comfort it is to know that |
hose who knew him were his truest !
riends and are trying hardest to
lelp us bear this bitter sorrow.
Old boy, old pal, sleep soundly, |
weetly till the morning breaketh.
)ft in the Silly night, ere slumber's
hahn has bound me, fond memory
rings the light of other days around |
ne. The smiles, the tears of boy
lood's years, the words of love then
poken, the eyes that shone, now
immed and gone, the cheerful J
earts now broken. When | re-
member all the friends so linked |
ogether I've seen around me fall |
ike leaves in wintry weather. | |
eel like one who treads alone,
ONE banquet hall deserted. Whose
lights are fled, whose garlands dead.
nd all but he departed Thus in
he Silly night, ere slumber's chain
as bound me. sad memory brings .
he light of other days around me.
W