Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-28
GEoRGlA,s INVALID SENATOR.
senator Hill at Hometown He Looks
and Feels. and what He says.
9 Atlanta Constitution, June a.

from the Atlanta Constitution, June "a.
called to see Mr.. Hill last week, and as every
word that comes from him is precious to his
people. l venture to record my impressions.
Mr. Hill received us in his library. He was sit
ting In an easy chair, but sat erect. white
bandage passed over the crown of his head caught
the jaws firmly and covered his wounds from
| sight. The upper part Of his body showed no
emaciation, but his legs had thinned consider
ably. In talking Mr.. Hill is as graceful as ever
He uses his favorite gesture-putting his hands
together by joining the tips of the fingers and
thumbs-as much as ever, and gestures quite
| freely. He has habit of touching his head
just back Of the wound every few minutes, and
tapping it gently. The saddest thing about Mr.
Hill-sadder even than the limping speech-is
the panied and strange expression Of his eyes.
They stare at you in strained and fixed way.
as If they were impelled by some other power
than that viii CHI directs his speech or gestures.
What Georgian does not remember how these
same eyes were in the old days truly the win
dows of his soul? How their lights and shadows
varied with his every mood! How they flashed
with his anger, sparkled with his humor or
melted with his pathOs! Now they are two great
gray orbs-fXed unvarying, slow to move
manful in their quiet resignation and yet mourn
full beyond words; half questioning but not
eager, half appealing and yet not weak. 1t is
as II the marvellous springs that moved them
had been palsied, and beyond their impassivc
depths stricken life was moving uneasily. No
gesture has its reflex in them no word its en-
phasis, no sentiment its Interpretation, and the
only change that comes to them is when through
pain or sympathy cloud sweeps over the clear
gray surface, and a tear gathering beneath the
lids rolls down the pallid cheek.
"Other men," said Mr.. Hil talking to the
little group of friends, ''may have served Geor-
gia more brilliantly than 1. None ever served
her more unselfshly or defended her more fear
iessy"
l had not talked to Mr. Hill since had the
famous interview with him against the ''co-
aitlon.' Recalling this interview he said:
Il spoke from the sincerest convictions. /
thought Georgia was menaced, and felt called
upon to speak. l knew that should make en-
emfes of men who were my friends, but should
have struck the blow if it had fallen on my
brother"
After talking on the political situation for
some time Mr.. Hill said:
81 have talked more to you to-day than have
talked since left Washington"
He paused a moment, and then said, speaking
very slowly and distinctly:
81 have done this because feel better than
have 1elt since the last operation. feel better.
l eat better, look better, sleep better walk
better, l think better, talk better, am better;
but and here the white hand was lifted to
the covered wOund-"I don't know whether
this wound is better"
Here he paused again. and then said:
"Weli. God has been very good to me- and
whatever His will may be- will submit with
cheerful heart"
Some one OF the company, moved by the SUM-
shine beyond the window, and the fresh breeze
whispering through the trees, remarked upon
the pleasant weather
yes" said Mr.. Hill, "if were not bias
phemOus should say that could not be hap
pier if were in heaven. l am here in my pleas
ant home, with every comfort or luxury that l
can want-surrOundedb by my good and loving
family-among my own people that are dear to
me, and in daily receipt of evidences of their
love and sympathy, and this continual pain is
all that reminds me that am on earth"