The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-10-20
JACKSON, OHIO, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1881.
[Des Moines Qowa) Register, Sept, 21.1
Garfield ut TWenty-T Three.
His Gratitude 10 Friends on Recovering Fror
Dangerous Illness.

dangerous illness.
We give below letter written by
the late President Garfield, and which
now appears in print for the first
time. 1t was addressed to Mr. G. D.
Fuller, now Of Des Moines, who had
been a roommate Of the lamented
President while at college, and who
was ever after lifelong friend. AT
the time this letter was written the
future President had just recovered
from dangerous illness, and his ex-
preston of gratitude for the love and
sympathy of friends seems strangely
prophetic now. It would seem almost
that the same letter might have been
written by the same hand only a
month ago:
! CIVILIANS COLLEGE,
Aug. 10, 1854.
"MY DEAR SIR: | have been down
near to the gates Of the Silent City
since last [ wrote to YOU Perhaps it
We're better had | entered-God know
eth. But the crisis is passed, and |
am slowly returning now. Your kind,
good letter was received to-day, and [
will respond Immediately. [ think [
told you in my other that I had taken
cold nearly every night since | came,
and had had severe headache for
about ten days I, however, kept on
studying until Friday, the 4th, when
the hot water streamed from my eyes
SO that | could not see, and I was
obliged to stop and send for a physi-
elan. He feared | would have infam-
nation of the brain Or brain fever,
gave me medicine and forbid my read
ing at all. Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday | endured the most agonizing
pain, but on Sunday afternoon it be-
gan to subside, but found it had
wrought ruin with my strength, for
when | tried to walk | was weak as
child. I have walked but little since,
and am still weak, though gaining
strength. I shall doubtless be quite
recovered before long, though I can
not study any more this session.
Oh, how much | have felt the absence
of dear friends during these long
dreary hours Of pain! ] must subjoin
some lines that have been ringing
through the chambers Of my soul, and
though [ do not know the name of
the author, yet they possess the ele-
ments of immortality. | know you
will love them and feel them.
Commend me TO. the friend that comes
When am sad and lone,
And makes the anguish of my heart
The suffering of his own;
Who coldly shuns the glittering thrOng
AT pleasures gay levee,
And comes to gild somber hour
AndNgive his heart to me.
"He hears me count my sorrows DER,
And when the task is done
He freely gives me all l ask
A sigh for every
He cannot wear smiling face
When mine is touched with gloom,
But like the violet seeks to cheer
The midnight with perfume
Commend me to that generous heart
Which like the pine on high
kplifts the same unvarying brow
To every change of sky:
Whose friendship does not fade away
When Nintry tempests blow,
But like the Winters icy crown
Looks greener through the snow.
''Ie flies not with the fitting stork.
That seeks Southern sky,
But fingers where the wounded bird
Hath laid him down 10 die.
Oh, such frendi He is in truth
Whate'er his lot may be,
rainbow on the storm of life,
An anchor on Its sea.
"Thank God, | enjoy such friends
rs that, though they are not with me.
But | must stop. r | need
not say am, as ever, your brother,
TAMFSn