A fresh outbreak of fever was reported last week (says the Tapanui "Courier") and on Saturday, Agnes Crawford, a promising young girl of seventeen, daughter of Mr James Crawford, of that town, succumbed to the disease, The poor girl had just recovered from measles when she was attacked by typhoid, and it was no doubt owing to the weakness caused by the measles that the patient died so quickly. Miss Crawford, who was a native of Glasgow, came with her parents to Tapanui in the early days, and from her pleasing and engaging manners had endeared herself to her neighbors by her kindly disposition. The news of the girl's death spread rapidly on Sunday morning, and then there was a rush to lock the proverbial stable door with a vengeance. Disinfectants were at a discount, and Mr Simmonds, who dispenses carbolic sheep wash free, had as many customers as he could conveniently supply. Miss Crawford's funeral was attended by a very large concourse of people. The Good Templars, of which deceased was a member, were well represented. Bro. Fargher, D.D., read the service appertaining to the order, and the Revs. Bett and Murray conducted the funeral service. We believe the sudden death now alluded to has brought the Tapanui people to a sense of their duty, and the Mayor has given strict orders for all places to be disinfected, acting under instructions from the health officer (Dr Douglas.) Permanent reforms are in course of consideration. -Tuapeka Times, 28/5/1881.
Typhoid fever is still lurking in this neighbourhood. It has again appeared simultaneously in three or four families. A fatal case of it occurred this week, and has cast a gloom over the neighbourhood, and for this reason I relate the particulars. The person referred to was Miss Agnes Crawford, daughter of Mr James Crawford, an old and well-known resident here, and was 17 years old. The young lady, by her amiability, had endeared herself to everyone with whom she came in contact, and the fact that she was cut off by the fell disease just as she was emerging into womanhood, causes the case to be the more painful. Universal sympathy is felt here for the bereaved parents. -Otago Witness, 28/5/1881.
TAPANUI.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
May 30th.
Your own correspondent in his last week's letter mentioned the death, by typhoid fever, of Miss Agnes Crawford, twin daughter of Mr James Crawford, of this place, in a few well-chosen words. As he stated, universal sympathy is for the young lady's bereaved parents, and I am sure that if you can make room for the following lines by Mr Dugald Ferguson on the sad event, you will earn the gratitude of every resident in this neighbourhood: —
Death, where life secure seemed nodding, O'er the town its shadows cast,
At whose apparation sudden, The most thoughtless looked aghast.
And the heart of man and woman Seemed to thrill beneath the stroke,
As though shared the pain in common That one family circle broke
And lovers fire, rude quenched, still smoulders; While beneath a new-made mound
A pale form now silent slumbers, Late with health and beauty crowned.
Grief without respite the smallest, Now reigns in one darkened cot;
Rachel weeping and unsolaced For that darling who is not.
And a dove bereaved, is cooing For its lost companion fair
Who in coming and out-going Scorned so late a comely pair.
They were birds so much of feather, Form and temperament the same;
That together, which was either, Posed the oldest friend to name,
With these laughing puzzles many Cruel Death has done away,
Now that he has borne off Nanny — Any child can point out May.
Oh, it seems a cruel sorrow! From her home so early torn,
Where here her loving winsome marrow Pines companionless and lorn.
And those lips, late warm with kisses, Pledged as seals of love and truth,
And the thousand nameless blisses Marking innocence and youth.
In the grave now cold and pallid, Late replete with rosy bloom,
And that heart's affection hallowed, Chilled in its sepulchral gloom.
Yet, ye mourners, God in mercy, With the cloud displays the bow,
Though His judgments none may forsee, When He'll smite, or why the blow.
Though she left you steeped in sadness, Still fond parents bowed severe;
Think your daughter now has gladness, More than thoughts can fancy here.
She who mid yon gath'ring festal Late in health and beauty shone,
Haply glorious as a vestal, Now stands near her Father's throne.
Weep not for that twin chord broken — That now of your Father's love,
Serves you as a double token — One below and one above.
Heaven, by constant signs and wonders, Tells us this is not our home,
Come away, still judgment thunder. Life replies "We come, we come."
Why should death's view cause us trouble? All must lie in its dark glebe;
Alike the stalwart and the feeble, And the elder, and the babe.
Fondly lie ye broken murmers, Strew with flowers the lowly bier;
But in Scripture ready learners, Dry in hope the bitter tear.
D. Ferguson. -Otago Witness, 4/6/1881.
Dugald Ferguson, whose story I have already told, was a local poet and seller of his own volumes. I my opinion, he was an above average poet, and not one to receive an acknowledgement from a dutiful courtier and announce that it had come from a grateful monarch.
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