Jeppe Delano, 8 months old
Died Aug. 14, 1881
Niles Democrat, Saturday, August 20, 1881, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
The death of Jeppe, the eight months' old son of Jeppe and Fannie Delano, which occurred in this city on Sunday, was attended with circumstances of a peculiarly touching nature awaking the deepest sympathy among hosts of friends, in this, their old home. Jeppe and Fannie had been spending, as is their wont, the summer here, having but recently gone to fill engagements in New York, leaving the babe in care of its grandmother, when the sad intelligence reached them of its serious illness, followed by a dispatch that the little life had departed. The response was, welling up from hearts crushed and breaking, "Keep our darling till we come." Only those who have thus suffered can know the full import of these words. The stricken parents arrived on Tuesday morning, and on Wednesday at 2 p.m., the cherished blossom was borne tenderly by loving ones to Silver Brook cemetery and laid to rest. Another flower blooming in immortal beauty, another jewel added to the Savior's crown. Spared all the tears, the sorrows of earth through the weary, lengthened years, why should we weep that the precious one, in sweetest innocence and loveliness, has found a brighter home. And yet, this thought now will not comfort agonized hearts. Empty arms will be outstretched with the imploring cry, "Come back, my darling; come back." But no response; only the mute appeal of little worthless, broken toys, dainty clothes covered with tear stains, a vacant chair, and the cosy crib, with perhaps the imprint of the fairy head, yet upon the pillow--this is all. But by-and-by, when the suffering ones have trod the whole weary way of darkness and bitterness, the angel of peace and resignation will descend with solace and blessing. Why these buds of sweetness and beauty are given, and then so early taken, is a mystery we cannot divine. Perhaps the discipline is needed in our lives, or it may be earth claims our thoughts too entirely, and these tender ties are broken to draw our affections heavenward. "Jesus saith, suffer little children to come unto me." Look upward, mourning hearts. Your little treasure is safe in the Savior's arms, and waits to welcome you to the better land.
An angel came in the silence
His hand we could not stay
And up to the regions of beauty;
He bore our flower away.
