Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1883-01-17
A Visit To whittier.

The mouse ls fair, well-built brick
residence, with wide piazza on three
sides Of il, close 70 tho roadway but
overlooking an extensive and very charm
ing lawn. The reception room is es-
sentiaily the authors home--bright,
cheerful and full Of pretty things, that
have doubtless been made by pretty
hands. A piano stands in one corner by
the open fireplace, and could imagine
Mr.. Whittier pensively listening to tho
good music which somebody plays for
hmm, as there is a quantity OF il lying al
hand near the fine instrument, by the
best composers. Mr.. Whittier is tall,
erect and somewhat diffident, ne bach.
elofs OF his age are apt TO be. His greet.
ing is cordial, aud his fine brown eyes
say 'Weicomc" before his lips utter The
gracious words. Our conversation DRIFT
"a into topic common at the tiine--the
deaths Of AR, Longfellow and Mr.. En-.
ersoD, both cloee friends OF the Quaker
poet, and both Of 1hum he eulogized in
his peculiar way. Naturally our talk
passed on TO the mention Of the other
world, and the nearness many persons
experience Of their dear ones who hayo
en,eio,i lis rest. II have never felt the
influence you describe, said air. Whit.
tier; mo one who has p.used away
seems near to me now. Lie is sush n
Mystery, that / do not ask to pene, rate
the secrets of eternity-but ] can iniae.
inc that you and others are Conscious Of
the unseen presence vi those whom You
loved and lost"
added.
We'll, | am not certain about that, no
continued with an expression OF abstrac-
toni believe that we may have
troubles there, ss we'll ~ herc--if no. !
the contrast would not DO 80 sweet, |
The difference will be that we shall be |
better enabled 10 bear them. Heaven |
Is a place OF harmony--everything will |
he harmonized there"
"fhen yon do not admire state OF |
complete bliss?"
mo, why should /, any moro than I !
like clans at high tide"-and after ION. !
ing ne in moment Of mcrriment. lo
said:
"We all have times Of exquisite enjoy
ment; the more beautiful because 40
fieeting, and 1t is for the contrasts in life. !
Of pain aud pleasure, that such exneri.
ences are priced" Turning suddenly
he asked:
"When are you the happies,7"
You Will laugh, Mr.. Whittier, but il
is Sheh hear the first note Of rsbia in
the early spring time"
"No, shsll not laugh, for under.
stand that pleasure too.
Then described tho meadow, Of
sAl, 4 m |
news to him-snd he had not supposed
anyone would go there To hear q robins
soEg. A merry twinkle came in his
eyes as he added:
II like Boston Common because they
hung scioe Quakcrs there ouce upon n
nInes es~-~----
years OF age. and "poetical cffi,sions
could not be expected from such an old
man." But he seems in very tolernble
health, and his poetic tcmperament is
still enkindled sometimes.
In vivid contrast to this gentle, sweet
genial old man, ia tho viva
cious, handsome and gifted author, Mr..
J. T. Trowbridge, whose "ysgabonds"
has been the delight Of so many publlc
and private recitations. Mr.. Trowbridyc
LcSAtcb ~ hAtb6toitt ai6V hpOub tWcBLy I
miles from Boston, in pretty, cheerful
cottage, surrounded by 4 lawn that slopes
down to little lake. He is a brilliant
,onversationslist, keen at repartee. and
Iull of aneclote. His story of Horace
Greeley's absent mindedness at a tea
party is too good to be- lost A cake
basket being passed to that gentleman
IN such a convivial occasion. he hooked
I on one Of his foro-iingcrs and c,n-
'umed ITS entire contents. Colonel
one of Boston's brightest
lights, resides at Cambridge. II was
10 who wrote--as you will remenber-
The Procession of Flowers" aud "Msl.
zone House." He is wealthy, but q
reat worker. He is also very handsome,
iaving remarkably fine curling gray
lsir which surrounds and softcns his
lorid face. He went TO New York at tho
ime of DIR. Hollands funeral, and sat
lose to the coffin Of his dear friend and
,rother suthor, paying this most COM
respect TO his memory and
,enius.