The Dying Hero.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2014, 7 January 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Dying Hero.

As moves the tide with force that has no staying, Nature's stern laws ordained by God obeying, So Death moves on—relentless, nothing caring— Nor even Grant, the nation’s hero sparing. He who so oft has seen around him falling The brave and true,, and heard the roar appalling Of battle's din, unmoved, now feels approach-

mg That horseman pale, on life’s short span

encroaching. Struck with a wound which science fails in healing, Slow, yet still sure, Death's hand his life is

stealing. With aching heart, and tears that know no drying, Columbia mourns ber gallant hero dying. Old friends— old foes—to day in prayer are

striving To stay Death’s hand—delay his dread arriv.

mg, Hoping while still the spark of life remain-

mg, 'Gainst, mighty Death a victory of gaining.

Marriage Among the Quakers Divorces arc actually unknown among the Quakers, and this absence is accounted for by the extraordinary precaution employed when two young persons desire to be united in marriage. The parties place their proposals of marriage in a written form, which is referred to the society of which they are members, and is acted upon at a “ Preparation Meeting " thereof. If all the attendant circumstances are in every respect in accordance with the views of those present, the proposal is approved, and is then introduced at the “ monthly meeting,” where it is again passed upon and a committee of investigation into the characters, habits, and circumstances of the engaged twain is appointed. These committees always consist of two members of each sex. The committee, after a most thorough investigation, makes it? report, generally at the succeeding monthly meeting. This ends the preliminary arrangement, and the twain are at liberty to proceed in the accomplishment of their marriage, a committee of two of each sex being by the meeting to see that it is orderly conducted, and the marriage certificate delivered to the recorder. As a rule the impressive ceremonies are generally conducted at the home of the bride. At the nuptial ceremonies the certificate is given to the couple, which, after receiving their own signatures, is in turn signed by every person present, and frequently contains a hundred names.

The Arabs and the Balloon- —it is stated that in the late war in the Soudan the appearance of a captive balloon so alarmed a body of Arabs that they at once took to flight instead of attacking the convoy escorting ammunition and provisions, as bad been their intention. So : regarded it as Mohammed’s coffin suspend between heaven and earth. W ben wc roau uowever, of a man who ventured into some Asiatic villages on a bicycle being taken for the devil, and stoned accordingly. it would not be surprising if savage nations were to take an aeronaut fur the same personagf, bringing his habitation along with him. Manifestly the confidence oE wild tribes, in their high, almost inaccessible fastnesses, would bo muchshaken by the appearance of the living monster over their beads.