Come now, Death, we challenge thee to combat. Be a heartless monster no longer. Choose thee “foemen worthy of your steel.” Choose the white haired, the aged who fear thee not. Withdraw, coward! From the unequal contest thou wagest against the young, and the feeble, and those who love this life not knowing its hardships. Come on, tyrant! Cross arms with your equals! We, the aged; we, the experienced; we, who are weary of the world; we, who are sinking down, being crushed into the earth by the heavy burthens of life, care not for thee. Come on! Strike us! Spare the young, strike us! We know that thou wilt win the final battle. We know that we shall soon be numbered among thy victims, and yet we dare thee to tackle us. We can not stop thy murderous progress, and yet we seek to check thy course. We fain would keep thee busy, wrestling with the old and gray, and give thee no time to search for the young the hopeful, and the happy. We, the old, crippled by disease; Worn out with trials and disappointments; With great sorrows in our hearts, that never can be taken away. We who have suffered from thy cruelties, and know full well thy unconquerable power, nevertheless defy thee. We dare thee! We taunt thee! We challenge thee to mortal combat! We are weak and wounded, and are fast nearing the brink of the dark chasm of eternity, and we implore thee, monster, tyrant, demon that thou art, to busy thyself with blotting out our poor lives, that the young and innocent, the pure and useful, and all those who are healthy and happy, and all those who love this life, and have friends to love, and friends that love them, may be spared to enjoy this beautiful world. A TRIBUTE To the Memory of Mrs. Hon. Justin R. Whiting, a brilliant woman. May 22nd, 1900. First among the first, leader of leaders, In the front ranks of life she found her place; A student of books, at home with readers, In household duties well up in the race. In social life a bright ornament, Pleasant and cheerful, quick witted and wise, Graceful in manners, not prone to dissent, Respecting custom and family ties. Sincere in religion, true to her church, A Christian by rule, a Christian at heart, Liberal, diligent, full of research, Ever and always found acting her part. Active and foremost in charity’s work, Helping the poor, her heart full of pity, From mercy’s appeals she never would shirk, Nor stay her hands at bounds of the city. Grand was her example in cheerfulness, Courteous alike to the proud and humble, Casting off sunbeams of sweet loveliness, Honoring a name time will not crumble.