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CHAPTER XX.

A SECOND BEREAVEMENT.

N the 26th of January, 1844. just as Mr. Hil

Ө dreth was becoming well established in busi

ness, in his new location at Bradford, and everything seemed encouraging, a second bereavement came upon him most suddenly and unexpectedly. His dear wife, the second partner of his joys and sorrows, and companion of his bosom, was suddenly prostrated with an epidemic disease, termed erysipelas, which caused her death three days afterwards. This was a terribly painful disease, yet the death-stricken sufferer bore her distress with the utmost patience and fortitude, and died full of faith and hope in the redeeming grace of her Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ. Too much cannot be said in praise of the many excellencies of this young wife who, like a morning flower, so soon faded and fell.

The following obituary notice is taken from the Green Mountain Gem" for February, 1844:

Died, in Bradford, Vt.. January 26th, 1844, of erysipelas. Olive F., wife of A. B. F. Hildreth, aged 21years, 2 months and 10 days.

Thus, a second time, has a tender and dearly beloved bosom companion been snatched from

my fond embrace, and my heart's best affections made desolate and drear. Why should it be thus? Were those sainted spirits too pure, too holy, too heavenly, to dwell longer in a vain and sinful world, that their Father in Heaven should call them thus early to be with Him in Paradise? Be it so. Soon, and I too will depart hence to meet them in that better world beyond the skies, where partings can never come. There shall tears be wiped from off all faces, and songs of joy ascend up forever and ever.

"Alas, how transitory are the joys of earth! Its scenes-how fleeting, how changeable! This world can afford but few charms for one who has so deeply drank of the bitter cup of affliction. Happiness; as sweet, as pure, as perfect as earth can afford; and sorrow, deep, painful and heart-rending; have alternately been my portion. No more does the cheerful countenance of a fond, loving and ardently devoted companion lighten up with a smile of pleasure at my approach. In vain do I look for the beloved face whose features I was wont to gaze upon with delight; for the bosom I was wont to lean upon when the toils of the day had exhausted my strength and vigor; the friendly counsel I was wont to receive when the perplexities of life had distracted my judgment; the words of solace my lacerated heart was wont to drink in with grateful emotion; when the bitter troubles of the world had come over my spirits like a blighting wind, crushing my fondest hopes; ay, I look in vain for the affectionate friend, the judicious counsellor, the jealous guardain of my good name, the beloved bosom companion, the tender wife!

"Where is that playful vivacity that could cheat even sorrow of its bitterness?-that speaking eye that was wont to speak with ecstatic delight?those ruby lips which seemed as if their glowing red had been lit up with coals of fire from Heaven's own altar?-that confiding heart, full to overflowing of joy and innocence, the abode of purity

and love?-that zephyr voice whose playfulness was the first to greet my steps, as I returned home, and which even now, methinks, is ringing in my ear. calling up from the depths of my inmost soul responsive sighs and regrets that so lovely a flower should have been blighted so early! Where, oh! where are they?

But

In vain, my beloved companion, does memory attempt to portray the winning graces of thy sportive spirit; the laughing glee which ever dimpled those cheeks of thine, where health seemed to have fixed her chosen seat; that artless innocency of manner which won its way to the most indifferent heart. These, and more than these; that exuberance of affection and love, which from its very fullnes was ever bursting forth and attaching to itself the deep sympathy of all within the sphere of its influences-all were thine. where are they now? Death has fixed his seal on them forever! Can it be? No, thou are not dead! the countenance indeed is changed and removed from sight; but the living graces of mind and heart; all that was truly worthy our attachment; will live forever. Thy happy spirit. freed from its prison house of clay, lives-lives in the mansions of the blest, far beyond this vale of tears. Holy and happy being! It would be cruel to call thee back. but may thy angelic spirit watch with guardian care over thy bereft companion here on earth. and when he shall have served the probation here allotted him, receive him to thy arms in bliss.

But

The reader may call it weakness thus to give vent to my feelings, but for this once I beg indulgence. From blooming health has a most dearly beloved companion been cut down almost in a day, and weighty indeed is the calamity I feel. amid all my affliction hope and faith in the infinite goodness of the Redeemer have sustained me. Great consolation does it afford me that my dear departed companion was. till her last moments,

blessed with reason, and that she died rejoicing in the hope of a free and full salvation, and a blessed immortality beyond the grave. Her dying words were, "I am happy in God." For a text for her funeral sermon she chose those happy words of the Savior: "My grace is sufficient for thee."

"Reader, if thou art a husband, blest with a tender and affectionate wife, learn to appreciate her society and her worth. Be kind, generous, affectionate and happy. In an evil hour she may be snatched from your embrace and her frail form lie cold in death! Learn wisdom-learn happinessand strive at all times to be in readiness to meet the summons of the Most High." A. B. F. H.

Besides this overwhelming domestic affliction, during Mr. Hildreth's residence in Bradford, he was himself repeatedly thrown upon a bed of sickness, where he suffered either from fever, dysentery or other disease, induced by arduous and incessant labors in his business as editor and print

er.

Still he toiled on, full of hope, industry and energy. His friend and patron, Asa Low, gave him a large amount of printing to do, such as school books, almanacs, blanks, &c. For several years he printed the "Youth's Almanac," the calculations for which were made by that youthful prodigy, Truman H. Safford, who, at the age of nine years, prepared for his almanac the calendar pages, and calculated the eclipses of the sun and This little boy was afterwards educated at Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., and became in time Professor of Astronomy at the Doug. las Observatory in Chicago, and later at Oberlin College in Ohio.

moon.

CHAPTER XXI.

D

POLITICAL ADDRESS.

URING the Presidential campaign of 1844, at a Whig Mass Convention, held in Orange county, Vt., by invitation, Mr. Hildreth delivered the following address:

RESPECTED FELLOW CITIZENS:

I appear before you, on this occasion, as an humble advocate of American principles. It will not be expected by you that I shall reveal any new and startling facts in the history of our country, or the policy of our government. Nor will these veteran freemen, whom I see before me, expect that one of my few years will instruct them in the politics of the nation, or direct them in the path of their duty.

But, gentlemen, if I shall succeed in entertaining you a few moments, while I express my opinions of men and measures, and suggest the course we ought to pursue, as enlightened freemen," -and they shall meet with your approbation—I shall have arrived at the height of my ambition.

Politics have been beautifully defined to be the art of making a people happy, but you, gentlemen, will bear me witness, that the arts of men have perverted them so as to make people miserable. In our country there are now, and there ever have been, since the formation of our government, two prominent political parties.

There were whigs and tories in the days of the

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