SWAYNE, Arthur O. 1869 - 1870

SWAYNE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 3/5/2011 at 15:53:30

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Thursday, June 23, 1870
Page 3, Column 5

DIED--In Fairfield, Iowa, on Saturday morning, of Inflammation of the Bowels, Arthur O., only child of J.E. and Laura SWAYNE, aged 9 months and 3 days.

ARTIE IN HEAVEN.

Cross the little taper fingers,
On the baby's snowy breast,
Close the waxen lids so tender,
Where we oft have kisses prest;
List! a whispered thought of music,
Falls upon our hearts at even --
Little Artie, sinless Artie,
Gentle Artie, rests in Heaven.

Scarce one beauteous radiant summer,
All its hopes and joys had toll,
Ere our blessed Heavenly Father,
Called the lamb into his fold;
Lord! thou knowest the painful story,
Mortal hearts must read from birth;
And a wreath of fadeless glory,
Twin'st for each dead of earth.

Oh, his birdlike voice of music,
Oh, his dancing little feet,
Clinging arms, and gentle kisses,
We on earth no more shall meet;
How we miss our household angel,
Miss his baby smiles and tears,
Miss the flowers of hope we cherished,
For the busy coming years.

Swiftly have their earth forms perished,
Yet they bloom in fadeless bowers,
Better than hope's early blossoms,
Better than earth's fading flowers.
Lo we bring no dark hued cypress,
Though life's golden chord was riven --
Still we know our blessed Artie,
Waits our coming home in heaven.

Skies of azure, domes of crystal,
Streets of gold, and pearly gates,
Angel arms and holy anthems,
Must the little baby wait;
Midst the children white browed holy,
With a look which angels wear,
Tended by the shining spirits,
Thou, the darling one, art there.

Sought of earth is kind and tender,
As a loving mother's breast,
But the babies we surrender,
Still must find a sweeter rest;
There's a void, an aching longing,
Dwelling in each parent's heart,
Yet, sweet love, with white wings folded,
Thou happier as thou art.

Ah! fond parents dry your tear drops,
Mourn not that life chords were riven,
Little Artie, angel Artie,
Dwells with Christ, high up in Heaven.

E.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Burial place is not known. No record in the county of the burials of his parents either.