New duties claimed now her attention, New feelings rose at name of wife, And as time passed, she ceased to mention The loved scenes of her early life.
Some years had gone, and she could gather Her children round about her knee,-- Long since in churchyard lay her father, And fallen was the eagle's tree.
And now in course of worldly changes Another town their home became; For business oft-times turns the hinges Of man's condition and his aim.
And there they settled, growing older, But Grace aright years passing read; For the grey hairs appearing told her Time left its shadow on her head.
Years twenty since the farmer's daughter Left the scenes where her youth was spent, Where Mississippi's mighty water Rolls like a flood that will have vent.
Within that town broke out a fever, Smiting alike the rich and poor; 'Twas typhus, grim Death's surest lever To turn the churchyards o'er and o'er.
Many, o'erborne with grief and watching At couch of those oppressed with pains, A hurried hour of slumber snatching, Woke with the fever in their veins.
Spared not the children or the father, Passed not the anxious mother by, In one swift grave the parents gather Their offspring with them as they lie.
Lamented many a one his dearest Borne to the house whence no retrace, Mourned high and low for friends the nearest Soon carried to their resting place.
A time of gloom, and doubt, and terror, A time of sorrow and dismay; The breath of death upon life's mirror All ghastly and infectious lay.
A time of judgment, when God's dealings Make the most careless cry to Him,-- A time to try the human feelings,-- When even Hope grows faint and dim.
Just at the last, when near expending Its baleful force ere sped away, Grace caught the fever while attending A smitten neighbour as she lay.
Grief in the house but late so cheerful, Pain on the heart but late so light, Her husband and her children tearful Watched o'er her sickbed day and night.
Beat low the pulse with languid movement, And stopped the functions of the brain, No sign her eye gave of improvement As day and night return again.
Hastened the Doctor, if yet human Aid might avail to save her life, He saw and knew the suffering woman, Although not as a wedded wife.