Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-11-25


Robert Burdette, the well known hu-
rnorist who has immcrtalized the Bar
iisgtes Hasckeys, is one Of the most pa
thetio of writer's II 10 we'll known that
his wife, % whom be was passionafeiy
fond. was confirmed invalid. and .
woman of most amiable character. Bur-
detts nursed her and nlnissered 70 Der
with uniiriug devotion 20 the last. The
following letter. describing the closing
scene Of q singular life, was written BY
him to an intimate friend;
DEAn MRs. PrILrso: So many times ]
have tried 70 write to you since Carrie
fell asleep. and 30 many times 90 not
write because | have % much time. IL
Ia not easy TO do anything when one has
too much time. wrote more AMI wrote
more essiiy-I accomplished more when
there was restless iittls head 10 DO pet
ted and soothed; when there vas hot.
tumbled pillow 70 adjust; when shcie
was q helpless little bead 10 hold until
the ache vent away. Now have nothing
70 do, and 80 do nothing.
Sue did not pas away in forpetfulness
Of you. Too many tunes your coming
had brought comfors 10 our home; too
many timss You had como With hope and
courage and strength IN your hands. She
thought OF you in the closing days, and
often spoke of you.
wish you might have seen her when
she NY az rest. l would like you 70 have
that picture of perfect rest, of eternal
peace. of quiet, untroubied sleep-the
dear little face not marked by ne line
or mark OF pain and sickness; would
like you 20 have that picture of her TO
carry In your heart, because know how
dearly you loved her.
Her last Sunday on the earth Was with
out acute pain, bat she was very rest
less, her breathing was distressed, she
ate nothing. She wanted us, Dora and
Robbie and myself, to be near her all the
time, as for months past sue hid con I.
stantly expressed the same desire. Ma
ny times she hoped We could be alone,
Just our own lissle family, whom she
passed away.
Several times this afternoon she asked,
How does the day wear onf" DuriRg
the closing weeks of her earthly life she
had always used that expression in ask
ING the hour. Dsar, patient little suf-
ferer. The day did indeed Eve " on !"
with her.
Suddenly night came on; she vas wea-
ry, bat complained of no acute pain and
seemed glad. When the darkness came
on, Dora took my place at her side; at
sunset aud until nine e'clocl walked
on the lawn. For weeks past Dora
and | have divided the Watching be-
tween us. Carrie seemed 30 cont, Ut and
happy to have one Of us near her all the
time.
When came In at nine o'clock there
was no change to make US appfeh snsive.
A score OF times within the year We had
felt more fearful that the end was near.
Ii made Carrie restless and distressed
her to have as sit up, 30 partially un-
dressed and lay down by her side. The
night grew cold. hut she did not appear
TO notice 1t. The windows wers wide
oren for air, but her breathing was no
easier. She did not sleep. Part Of the
time she closed her eyes, but for the
greater part of the night the soft
brown eyes were open, the patient
iigAt that blessed our home staining in
them.
At times her mind was busy with per-
sous and places and scenes remote in
time and distance. AL the night long
heard her Whispering softly, as though
she talked with the angels who were
ministeriog unto her. When l leaned
closer 10 listen she would turn her face
toward me. smile, and bid me never
mind; she was only dreaming. Con-
siantiy the position of her head had to
be changed; her pillows grew hot. she
said. -Four or i've Of them were kept In
almost continuous rotation, changing
every two or three minutes. she did
not complain; she did not appear TO
notice that she was SO restless. About
two o'clock In the morning she asked
again, How does the night wear onl"
and then wanted TO call the family, bat
she said "No, 10 10 not necessary. do
not think" she said. the end Is very
near
The morning air was blowing chilli
and strong through the room, sut she
did NOS appear 10 feel the cold very
much, and only had one light extra
blanket thrown over her. About four
o'clock heard her say, softly and low
insly:
sit closer 10 me, Dora"
And then she added:
How quiet aud beautiful the lake Ii
tonight"
Then knew abe was back In her old
home on she bluff In Peoria, The bsauti.
ful home Of her gSrihood; once more she
was sitting on the white colnmned porch
With Dora, her darling sister. always
dear TO her and always by her side. and
they were looking ~ the sleeping waters
81 the starlit lake. She Vas sitting with
Dora alone. Just pluming its sSo~y
xinSs for Hight. the seul turned back
ene msment TO tue morning of life, and
my darling nestled Gloss D. the side of
he loving and beloved sister.
The gray light OF the early u1ornina
vas Creeping ia through the open win-
tows. aud on her pAtlsat face. lositied
/ y suffering, was shinisg another. fsirer
light, that | knov VAS streaming frotn
portals opeaing fux her. She
smiled sweeliy a. crossed the room and
stopped 10 Hiss her. and said
Bob. dear. IL -
"fhe chill before tho davnine
Between night and morning.
II was the hour al which she tad sx
pressed the wish thai she might pase
WAY, and knew thss she referred 20 =
IavoFlte verse Of q poem thAs she loved.
sid:
YES, dear. ! think the sun siii sams
'ery soen now."
Her face ersw radiant as sls smiled
gain ana sasd:
: Tea be via come Cor me sais morn
me-
Dora was quickly a her side. AID re /
rnew there wera watchers whom we /
,suld nos zee sssnaing IN fhf room. See /
rho MAS 50 nesfiy past all suffering vas i
.oliaitons ugaiy for Cur couafeFt. aud ia L
luiet, loving tones gave sonss lslsla In /
tTuctlonss
fon mnst kr<p seli end stroae."
The nurse entered the room. bat Car.
10 eoald take nsiihsr nonTlsnmsut nor