This page contains a poem that Harris wrote about dealing with the death of her husband as well as a short piece about "Love, Respect and Confidence."

Love, Respect and Confidence
Will You Love Me After Death

LOVE, RESPECT, and CONFIDENCE, are three significant subjects.  But of these three, which is the most important to be desired or demanded? I would say respect and confidence.  But we must first deserve and be considered worthy before we can demand.  Love is in many cases desired, welcomed, and appreciated.  Love is alright in its place, but to be loved by few and disrespected or distrusted by many, you are yet poor standing and even in your own light.  Good behavior, proper manners, at all times and in all places, calm ways, a philanthropical disposition and good common sense, tipped with education, throws you in a worthy line for respect.  The same points with that of continuous industry and broad never failing honestly in all dealings, whether great or small, with all mankind throws you in the stong lines of confidence.  We may like and appreciate being loved, respected and trusted.

But, let us excuse Love and look out for respect and confidence which we may win only by our works and ways, and remember that we cannot pick up the one or two through carelessness and dishonesty.  It is better to have one say or consider that they were not so much in love with you and yet they consider you worthy of respect and confidence than to have one display so much affection and at the same time to feel shy of you as unworthy of respect or confidence.

Certainly it is well to make sure or to win these 3 if possible. But let us strive for the two most important in this early life, Respect and Confidence tipped with necessary friendship, and as the love of the present day seems to work out so very peculiar, ending up surprisingly brief in many cases.  Let us not worry over this matter of new style of Love, which seems to be caught in a thin bet and soon shifted out in various directions.

Let us strive to keep a straight line looking forward and trusting the unseen, who will mercifully forgive and shower upon us that perpetual Love that never fails.

Will You Love Me After Death
(By Mrs. Elizabeth J. Harris)

As he lay on his bed one evening
  With pains and fevers high.
He clasped his lover by the hand,
  He felt that he must die.
He looked her in the face and said
  While shorter grew his breath
  I shall love you on forever.
Will you love me after death?

I've experienced much, and suffered more.
But never once forgot you dear
  Through dangers deep, and guns uproar,
  My mind and heart to you, were near.
  I've fought to win the victory
Across the battle fields of earth,
Now my last request to you is this
  Will you love me after death?

I realize a true, true friend
  My mother dear and true,
You witness that by yours alone
  So near and dear to you.
Be true to yourself, your mother, your God
Until you are nearing that last sweet breath,
Console me dear above the sod
  Will you love me after death?

Weep not for me, I've done my share,
  Be brave in heart, in mind, in ways
The fight is off, from dearth thro air
  Which brings your future happy days
And now the end is drawing near,
  My time is short on earth.
I'll die in peace, with your promise true,
  Will you love me after death?

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