Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/204

 i8a

��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.

��CHARLES DUDLEY WARDE.

��When the allotted span of three score years and ten has rounded out the life of man, he has accomplished his life's work and has made his mark upon his generation. It is hard to re- concile ourselves to the loss of a young life, just on the threshold of man's estate, when gifted and full of promise. We have to accept the inevitable, and to have faith that what is our loss is his gain.

Charles Dudley Warde, known to his many friends as Charlie Warde, son of the late Hon. David A. and Martha (Cleaves) Warde, was born in Concord, July 2, 1S58. The genealogy of his father's family may be found in Cogswell's history of Henniker. He received his education in the public schools of Concord, and commenced the study of law with the firm of Leach and Stevens. In the fall of 18S2 he entered the senior class of the law school of Boston University. The following January he returned to his home sick, and died February 15, 1883, in his twenty-fifth year.

He was a son of whom any mother might be proud, loving and true in his nature, fond and proud of his family and home. In person he was tall, of graceful carriage, with a striking, if not handsome face, every line indicat- ing character, intellect, and soul. His tastes were cultivated and refined ; in his heart was harbored no mean, or petty, or jealous thought. He entered heartily into manly sports, and was the life of social assemblies. Of fruits and flowers, and of their culture, he was fond ; his appreciation of the beautiful in nature and art was innate, yet highly cultivated. He was well- balanced and temperate in all things. Possessed of a sound judgment, he was the soul of honor, thoroughly trusted and respected by all. In his intercourse with the world he was gay, light-hearted, affable, polite, friendly,

��popular. Contact with his sunny nature made chance comrades his- friends — and no act of his ever alienat- ed a friend. He was fond of books, and it was a pet scheme of his to pre- pare and illustrate a book delineating the beauties of the Merrimack valley. Of history, poetry, and biography, he was a diligent reader, and he entered upon his legal studies with an enlight- ened mind, strong to overcome the many difficulties of the profession. His love for his native city was strong, and her material interests were very dear to him. His future was closely interwoven with the future of Concord. Poor boy, his hopes, lofty and noble, his ambition, his plans, are over now. His family grieve and mourn for him ; his friends lament his loss ; the world wonders again at the inscrutable dis- pensations of Providence. Had he lived he must have made his mark high upon the roll of honor. and use- fulness. We were friends, and this slight tribute is offered to his memory.

Stricken down in the battle our friend is at rest.

Far removed from the conflict, the tur- moil of life,

And :it peace the great heart which beat true in his breast.

His ennobled endeavors withdrawn from the strife,

He has joined the grand army of those gone before ; —

In the pride of young manhood and vig- orous youth.

He has crossed the dark stream to the opposite shore.

A young knight, undismayed, a brave champion of truth.

His exalted ambition, each grandly drawn plan.

Laid aside, with a sigh for his hopes un- fulfilled;—

Did he have no regrets, he were more than a man —

He accepted the fate which the great Father willed.

Will his friends left behind consolation receive

From the promise of life unto all who believe!

�� �