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through preparatory stages in the abysmal depths of illimitable time of joining the sisterhood of planets. It is with much diffidence that I assume the courage to address you saddened with an [irretrievable?] [bereavement?] and burden with the guardianship of immense wealth. I append a few lines by way solace
"In Memoriam" L.S. [Jun?]
"[How?] hard in thought for us to realize"
"That few short years will terminate our lives
The joys of youth, pleasures of [maturer?] age
Are short cut off at that inexorable [stages?]
The [patriot's?] fervor for his Country [weal?]
Grows frigid under that remorseless [seal?]
The soldier prostrate on his dying bed
(Victorious [legions?] to the field has led)
Would fain exchange the warrior's laurel wreath for one short furlough from the victor [?]
Though million mansion be his [envied?] home
In splendid yacht the Ocean's foam roam
On [?] the pulse behind the horse a flying
There's many ways of living
Only one of dying
The [mother's?] loss in [agonies?] [montwild?]
"Take all the world, but give me back my child"
The Earth itself now [vivified?] with [hearth?]
[Alive?] awaits [inevitable?] death."
B.F. [Stairley?]