The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-26
THE DECAY or CiRTIfdGE.

BANGOR, Sept. 20. When | reached the
ancient mansion occupied for many years by
the Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, found the Senator
rnking up the fallen horse chestnut leaves that
Uttered the plank walk In front OF his door, The
horse chestnut leaves were yellow and sore.
The Senator's swallow-tail coat looked faded
and rusty-more faded and rustier than 1t has
looked for years. The first cold wind Of tho
season blew dismally around tho corner Of the
house. Tho Senator shvered as he raked and
for a moment wondered why he did not wear
an ovcrcoat Then l recoocted that no never
wears an ovcrcoat.
As | walked up the planks toward the Hon.
Hannibal Hamin the rustling Of the dead leaves
under my feet attracted his attention. He
dropped his rake and took from his trousers
pocket plug Of navy twist. but | was panied TO
observe that he did not bite with the old vigor
His eyes that were always SO brilliant behind
their glasses. regarded me with n vacuous and
melancholy smile. There has been a great
change In the expression OF his face. 1t is brown
still. but the brown is the brown OF November
no longer that Of the harvest month. The deep
rich stains at tho corners OF his mouth that
formally lent II piquant wickedness to his physi-
ognomy. now only emphasize n pitifully quer-
ulous look. The old patriot is very much broken
The Senator stumbled over his rake as he
came forward to meet me. To my surprise no
uttered no profane exclamation. He bent with
considerable difficulty. picked uD the tool and
gently laid It upon the grass by the side OF the
my hand and wrung IL MS cordially as IL 1t were
election ,h time and | had vote. remember
You were with me In the Maine Legislature in
Senate then. They voted for Dick johnson for
Nice-Presidcnt. II | had been in the senate
that year. should have voted for Dick Johnson.
too. We are all good Democrats in Maine
Little Marty swept the State. and he can do it
There was paptive appeal in his trembling
, yoc ee Shat touched NJ, me deeply did not have
was born; had come good many miles to
get Mr. Hamlin's opinion Of the recent election.
but could not bring myself to open the subject.
II weakness standing in the way Of duty can
never ha eNcusahlc; II an interviewer is never
justified in ,relinluishing his prey when 1t is
already IN his clutch then have nothing 10
plead. took the old man by the arm and trn-
dery led him 10 the door Of his house. &c 1t Is
goo cold Tor YOU out here | said " Go and sit
by the kitchen fire"
Eyer since the morning after, election"
member of senator Hamlin's family afterward
SAID to mo. grandfather has been in the con-
ditOn in which you saw him. Mr. Eugene
Hale came h"re the next day To consult with
him; but grandfather only shook his head and
mumbed something about the Cimbrla and the
hgSslans at Southwest lldrhor. think he has
To- do with the result. He often comes ont into
the yard IN the evening and stands with his
head pare, gazing n, the sky. When We ap.
rroach him. lac starts. and draws his hand
across his eyes. and says Why isn't this the
comet year, At other times he sits for hours
on the back steps. turning over tho pages Of the
family Bible, which haven't seen in his hands
before for years Often he takes his hat down
from the rack. and says I'm going 10 talk II
all over with Gov. Kent Grandfather's talk is
mostly OF tho men and events Of forty or nlty
years ago He is quiet and sublucd. and never
was more gentle 10 those around him. even to
the eat. but don't Ike TO See him so.'
Docs 10 never show any interest in the
present -
lie brightcns M n little when we take him
blanS envelopes. and ask him for frank. We
carry old letters 70 him. and pieces Of folded
brown paper. ana Eet him 10 write his name in
tne cor h"r. II seems To- give him pleasure Tor