Epitaphs.

Here let her weary body rest,
While her soul dwells among the blest.

Though silent lies the baby-head,
And motionless the little feet,

We scarce can think the spirit fled

Whose presence made our lives so sweet.

From earthly cares, his glad soul's free
To welcome immortality.

Silent the step we used to know,

And hushed the voice that grows so low—
Over his breast the daisies grow.

My heart, look up, and cease thy flow
Of sad and tearful memory;

For in a purer world I know

My loved one lives eternally.

With breaking hearts, within this narrow bed
We laid her form, whose gentle soul had fled;
And in our sorrow prayed God's living hand,
Would lead us to her, in the better land.

Heaven's adorned with another star
Since the angels found the gates ajar.

The stroke of Death is but a kindly frost,
Which cracks the shell, and leaves the kernel room
To germinate.

If duties well performed bring peace, how sweet will be her rest.

Death is but a kind and welcome messenger, who comes with noiseless tread to unlock life's flower-encircled door, and show us those we love.

FOR HUSBAND AND WIFE.

These are two friends whose lives were undivided;
So let their memory be, now they have glided
Under this grave; let not their bones be parted,
For their two hearts in life were single hearted.

Since life forever will not last,

Let us improve the passing hours,
Correct the present by the past,
The future may not long be ours.

Why should we fear to tread

The gloomy vale of death?

Why should our minds be filled with dread

When forced to yield our breath?

Our time rolls on, and steals away
The breath that first it gave;
Whate'er we do, where'er we be,
We're traveling to the grave.

The aged sire who falls to-day,
Leaves offspring of his kind,
So every link in nature's chain
Leaves other links behind.

Thus all the links of ceaseless time
Make one eternal round;

Without beginning, pause, or end,
Nor yet cessation found.

Benedictions.

FORM 1.

May the holy angels bless and guide each one. May some little seed sent out from our meeting reach some thirsty soul and bring forth bright and beautiful blossoms. And we would say to the disappointed and the disheartened--ministering spirits be with you, and when your loved ones can come they shall bind up your heavy hearts and shall make them strong. The angels be with you and bless you all.

FORM 2.

May each of you go out of this place feeling that it is good to have been here: may good spirits inspire you and guide you, shed light upon your souls, and bring you peace and gladness, until you shall go to dwell with them.

FORM 3.

And now may all the beautiful gifts and influences of Nature be with you and bless you; may your hearts be inspired by love and wisdom, and your footsteps be guided by the light of truth; may all your ways be ways of pleasantness, and all your paths be peace.

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Wills.

The following brief forms of wills are placed here, by special request, for the benefit of those who may be unexpectedly called to draw up a will without being able to procure competent legal advice.

It is of the utmost importance that the property bequeathed and the conditions and intentions of the bequest be distinctly defined in plain language, for it is the custom of courts to construe wills according to the strict letter of the instrument. The two main points to observe are clearness and explicitness.

The person making his will must be of sound mind, must act freely and voluntarily, and with a deliberate intention of making his will. He may, of course, revoke his will or make a codicil to it at any time he chooses. Wills should be attested by three wit

nesses.

FORM 1.

Know all men, by these presents, that I, John Smith, of the town of Springfield, in the county of Otsego, and State of New York, being of sound mind and memory, and being conscious of the uncertainty of life, do therefore make, declare, ordain and publish this to be by last WILL and TESTAMENT; That is to say, First, after all just and lawful debts are paid and discharged, the residue of my estate, real and personal, I give, bequeath and dispose of as

follows:- To my beloved wife, Mary, the land and appurtenances situated thereon, known and described as the Billing's farm, lying in the town of Springfield, in the county of Otsego, and State of New York, together with ten shares of the capital stock of the Otsego County National Bank in Cooperstown, now possessed by me, during the term of her natural life, and after her death to be divided equally among my heirs. To my son, George, the farm situated on the turnpike between Cherry Valley and Middlefield Center, known as the Mason farm; also all the right and title I have in the cheese factory in the town of Middlefield. To my daughter, Sarah, I will and bequeath the house and lot I own in the village of Cooperstown, in the county of Otsego and State of New York, and also two thousand dollars in money now deposited in the Otsego County National Bank in Cooperstown aforesaid. I will and bequeath the residue of my property, real and personal, to my son David. If other child or children shall be born unto me, they each and severally shall share in my property, real and personal, not otherwise disposed of; share and share alike.

I hereby make, constitute and appoint my son, George, my brother William, and Samuel Simpson to be executors of this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills made by me.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal, the third day of May, in the year of the Christian Era, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, and the year of American Independence, the one hundred and first.

JOHN SMITH. [SEAL.]