The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-31

The Pathetic Side of the HumorIst's Life
Why He Could Not Go to Chautauqua.
Ohautauqua Letter.
One of the most remarkable scenes ever
witnessed here was at the reunion of the
Phi Kappa Psi, on which occasion there were
1000 people present. DIR. Vincent read let
tiers of regret from Judge jerks, Carl Schurz
and Robert Burdette. OF the latter's letter
DR.. Vincent spoke with great feeling, and
the vast assembly showed disappointment
and sorrow. The seventy-fve members of
the society present were sincerely affected
by Burdette's letter. Indeed, many of the
audience were affected to tears and when
DIR. Vincent requested the Chautauqua
salute thousands of handkerchiefs waved
in response. To the thousands who are
frightened by the famous humorist this
letter may be interesting as it tells the real
side of his life:
NANTUCKET, Mass, Aug. 8.
DR.. J. H. Vincent:
You Will be pleased to learn, and it will graf
ify the intelligent thousands at the lake, when
you inform them that will not be there on the
9TH. can't do very much good in this world,
ana IL occurs to me sometimes that could do as
much by keeping my mouth shut as by follow
ing my tongues free course. wish had the
inspiration Oftener. 1 think if 1t came to me
fifty times day would be wiser and happier.
At any rate, would have fewer foolish remarks
to repent of when night and penitence come on
together. IT it should happen that any one
might feel disappointed by my failing to talk
.
mistaken sense of disappointment; assure him
that it is no novelty to hear me chatter. My
flashes of silence are the brightest and rarest
charms posses, and am not rich in them. All,
no! am woefully poverty stricken. Sometimes
l haven't enough to go around. Let them be
thankful that they will have opportunity of
hearing me when am quiet.
Seriously, and in all truth and soberness,"
cannot come. Mrs. Burdette's health-if the
poor little sufferers combination of aches and
pains and helplessness may be designated by
such sarcastic appellation-has been steadily
failing all winter, and we have come down ia
this seagirt island to If old ocean and ITS
breezes may do what the doctors and mountains
and prairies have failed to do. And here
utter heplessness, unable TO stand alone TOR
years she has been unable to Walk, her helpless
hands folded in her lap; she must be dressed,
carried about cared for like little baby, suffer-
ing from countless pains and aches, day and
night, and cannot leave her even for few
days. No one at ChautanQua will feel the dis
appointment as we do, for we had planned TO go
there together. If she could go with me I
would he glad enough to creep to Chau-
tuaQua on my knees. Her life has been
fountain of strength to me. In her long years
of suffering L have never seen the look of pain
out of her eyes, ana for more than half so long
have seen her sitting IN patient helplessness,
and have never heard complaining murmur
from her lips while she has served as those who
stand and wait, never questioning and never
doubling the wisdom and goodness of the Father,
whose hand has been laid upon her so heavily.
The beautiful patience of her life has been
constant rebuke to my own impatience, and in her
snfferings I have seen and known ana believed
the ''love that knows no fear" and the faith that
''knows no doubt"
with long letter, when all he wishes to know
is that can't come and lecture as / promised
would. would like to do two or three things
can't. With long apology for taking up
much of your time, and a thousand wishes for IL
happy and successful summer at ChautauQua, L
am truly your friend, RoBr j. BURDETTE.