|
|
Excerpts from Souvenir Submitted by David M. Waid |
||
|
BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES. FRANKLIN P. WAID.
Franklin P. Waid, twin brother
of Francis C., died May 28, 1854, aged
twenty-one years, one month and five days, cut off in the very bloom of
youth, torn from the companionship of his brother, who had accompanied him
into the world, and who was his every-day associate through childhood,
boyhood and youth.
Franklin was seized with typhoid fever
April 16, 1854, and was unwell for seven weeks.
Many of the community were sick with this fever, which raged at a
considerable extent, and not a few succumbed, Francis
C. Waid himself being ill with it for about four weeks.
Of the family of Abraham Pitcher (a
neighbor), where Mr. Waid and his brother frequently sat up nights to take
care of the sick, four members died that spring.
One of those who recovered, named "Andy,"
Mr. Waid had the happiness of visiting March 24-25, 1890, at Fort Scott,
Kas., after a separation of twenty-six years.
At the demise of the noble-hearted young man, a singular instance
of the fulfillment, to the hour and minute, of a presentiment or prevision
occurred. As related above he
was prostrated with typhoid fever, which confined him to the house and his
bed six weeks to a day; and the day before he died he said, addressing the
members of the family as they stood near his bedside:
"This is the last day I will be with you;" and then,
intimating that they might not believe it, added:
"It is so; I will die to-morrow at noon."
Next morning, early, he called his father to his bedside and said:
"Father, this is the last day I will be with you; I will die
at 12 o'clock to-day." And this he repeated hour after hour till his spirit fled to
his God who gave it, precisely as the old family clock struck the hour of
twelve. His last words were:
"Meet me in Heaven."
Mr. F. C. Waid writes:
"Life and death, like twin brothers, stand very near each
other, and how sad was my heart my life when my every-day companion died.
We were always dressed alike; battled life together; shared each
other's joys and sorrows; worked side by side on the farm and in the
sugar-bush; where one went, there you would find the other.
Sleeping in our little trundle-bed at first, we continued to room
together till we were of age, and if I have any choice as to where my last
long sleep shall be, I believe I would wish it to be where my kindred,
those loved ones, silently rest. We
were so near alike in dress and appearance that some of our neighbors and
distant friends would often be mistaken, taking my brother for me, or vice
versa; but those well acquainted seldom made a mistake, and could tell us
apart by our talk. The human
ear, like the eye, is a wonderful detective.
As to our work on the farm, he could do more at certain kinds of
work than I could. Some he
excelled in, and in others I excelled--such as in hand mowing, as he
himself admitted in presence of Mr. A. B. Floyd, one
day while we were mowing in the orchard.
"I was glad when, in early life, we gave our hearts to the
Lord and joined the church, choosing the better way; yet there were
mistakes and failures and unfaithfulness on our part, but His grace was
freely given to me in this dark hour of my life, and I wish to thank Him
and praise His name now for all that He has done for us.
More especially do I thank Him in as much as, whilst it pleased Him
to bereave me of my loved twin brother and companion, in his goodness and
mercy He provided me a life partner, a good wife, to comfort me under this
severe trial. And how nobly she did her part and fulfilled her duty, not
Only at that time, in our early married life, but up to her last breath!
My pen fails to describe, but my appreciation of her blessed memory
has never ceased. The only reason of his portrait not appearing in this
SOUVENIR, is that his picture was never taken.
The one of my eldest son, Franklin (named after my brother),
strikingly reminds me of my dear old mate, hence I take a double pleasure
in viewing that picture.
"The many happy days of childhood and early recollections of
Franklin and myself wending our way to school together, going a-fishing,
visiting, celebrating Fourth of July, attending Sunday-school and picnics,
frequently going to Grandfather Waid's for apples, etc., are as vivid to
my recollection as yesterday, And neither prosperity nor adversity can
ever efface the memory of my brother.
I always found in him a true friend, and I do not recollect of ever
having been forsaken by him in adversity when I most needed his help.
I can recall many instances when he came to my rescue, his noble
disposition and brave heart never failing him; and it seemed to me that my
care was often his special care so truly unselfish was his nature.
Indeed, I may say that I was always protected by him, and I felt
safe when he was with me. Physically,
and I might almost say intellectually, he was my superior; yet we helped
each other, for we were taught the value of the golden rule:
Do unto others as you would they should do unto you. This maxim is worthy of remembrance, young reader; and in
being taught it you will always appreciate your parents, friends and
instructors. The above remark
about Franklin being true, it will be seen that he had more to bestow on
me than I on him, thus constantly placing me more and more under
obligations to him for his care and protection.
He always stood up for the right; yes, many a time have I known him
defend the innocent, and those who, like myself, may have been trampled
upon by some one, stronger and more determined."
Before his death he requested that the following verse might be
inscribed on his tombstone, where it appears: "Behold, young man, as you pass
by, As you are now, so once was I; As I am now, so must you be; So prepare for Death, and follow
me."
|
|
||
