---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Pearson, Sarah E.
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 2
number: 5
published: 1899-03
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Pearson, Sarah E., "Lamentation on the Death of a Father," *Improvement Era* 2, no. 5 (March 1899): 331.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera25unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera25unse
start_page: 331
end_page: 331
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1899-03)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera25unse
  publication_year: 1899
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1899, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# Lamentation on the Death of a Father

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the Latin mind has always shown for the judiciary. Should such a thing
happen in this country or in England, the act would be resented as an
outrage upon the judicial system, which here receives such high respect,
and which in France, evidently, is treated as a mere political institution
not entitled to more respect than is shown to a legislative candidate for
office.
LAMENTATION ON THE DEATH OF A FATHER.
Oh heart, my heart, when that brave spirit soared
Above, beyond the bonds of earth and time,
And those dear eyes forever closed on earth,
Whose glance was wont to dwell with love on mine;
And those kind hands accomplished their last task,
Which had so oft been busy for my weal.
Did not some premonition haste thy beat.
And thou prescience of disaster feel?
Oh sad, sad heart! though many weary miles
Divided me from him who loved me best,
Could'st thou not know that other loyal heart
Lay cold and pulseless in that manly breast?
Could'st thou not feel some chill presentiment
That thou had'st lost thy counselor and friend?
And that last look must bridge the stream of time
Between we two till earth and time shall end?
Could'st thou not know, when we came home again
No answering welcome we could meet from him
—
Instead of shouts of joy at our return
Each face averted and each eye grown dim?
That we could meet no loving, sheltering arms,
No echo of that blessing which he gave?
But go alone, oh anguish-bursting heart!
To throb unanswered on his new-made grave.
Sarah E. Pearson.