St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-07
TALK.

There is fine poem by the German poet
INLAND which has been admirably translated
by several competent and distinguished
minds.
Its theme is the sentiment of a passenger
crossing a stream, who Graves the hoatman
to accept the fare of three-because invisible
to him have passed shades of the compan-
ions who were with him ''when last he
crossed the restless wave.n
In going about the streets of st. Paul there
are some persons eccentric enough to people
the thoroughfare with the viewless figures of
many who are forever at anchor in the Gem
eteries beyond the town.
There are places so identified with these
departed WORTHLESS that the minds eye must
always see them as they used to be in life's
daily round. Suppose were to tell you in a
ter-of-fact sort of tone and way, that on
one side of certain street can always see
Girart Hewitt, / am sure that you, who are
not given to such fine spun memories, would
be apt to suggest some sort of alternative.
and tell me my system is out of order and
needs tuning up Perhaps it is. But no
amount ofPhysicing would Danish that grand
old figure of Girart from the scene of his
earthly activity, nor dim the memory of his
quaint wit, worthy of the brightest setting OF
old English comedy.
Who but he in the rich drollery of his fan
tastic humor could originate the December
steamboat excursion for sweet charity's be-
half, and array himself in the garb of tropi-
cal weather, even carrying palm leaf fan
in the icy air which froze his breath.
Why, when Charles Lamb in writing of
Gray's Inn and its gardens, says that Bacon
left the impress of his foot upon their gravel
walks-that mysterious yet involuntary old
fence of Shakspeare's plays, why, indeed,
can't have a like allusion for Girart Hewitt,
who was of better stamina as a man.
Some persons when death has hewcd them
down leave gap in the population, like a
clearing in big forest. You don't think
of the standing trees, goodly though
they be, for the gap is too obvious.
You can truly think of what is gone, and
you know that the vacancy viii always look
the same to you, let time be as lenient as it
may.
For, its the melancholy trick that years
serve Us all, and significant sign that age
has seasoned US sadly to only retrospective
excellence, and with just half hearted con-
cessions to present favorites, progress, en-
joyments and the rest
Therefore, when you hear somebody hold
ing forth with wjstful enthusiasm on the
ultra excellence or superiority of what, or
who FUSED to be,n you grow pensive In
noticing the just perceptible touch oil en-
croaching time, which gives all uncon-
sciously, perhaps, the grey hue of RETROSPECT
tive standards to the speakers thought. The
significant touch comes to every one who
lives long enough to have memory, and is
born with the understanding heart to make
that memory of value.
But, then, like Uhland's voyagerI see with
my minds eye figures which young and old
will regret alike for time, but which ma
ture appreciation will hold tenaciously as ex-
tinguished types impossible of reproduction
in this world.
The present crowd about us may have no.
bles of mind, OF benevolence, of attractive
ness through the most admirable attributes
Yet, we are not so sure of them as of those
we know elsewhere.
The rising young physician of st. Paul
many have as kindly impulses as DIR. Stew
art, but will they put them int
the same active and unremunerativ,
exercise toward the poor and tn,
wretched? Think how widespread and gen
eral was the personality which touched hun
dreds of the community with a sense of in
dividual loss, manifest at his funeral in al
the social conditions, from high to lows,
called-and from white to black. Such
doctor is natures finest product, and TIL
schools haven't the best of him by an
means His first diploma was from his Ma
ker, when good humor, helpfulness ant
truest kindness were overlaid by professions
fitness. When death smites mau s.
strongly intrenched in the warm regard ant
commentator of the populace, it makes
staring void, and you don't get used to it
He is one of the figures you will see in you
minds eye, trim of body, small of foot
shapely and soft of hand, CHEEKY of greeting
and instinct with goodfellowship.
Where will you find his duplicate so equip
ned for your servicel No more in thi
world.
I remember one sample of his characte
which was so odd for politician that it i
magniied into the heroic.
When he became surveyor-general, I'D h
set about rewarding and placing helpinI
) voting circle of adherentsl
Contrariwise was his irregular action. H
selected the poor relations of the Lord
l family-the widowed and the orphaned an
I he employed them, and he laughe
c at the disappointment of tn
4 regulars who believe in the
e spoils, no matter how SINAI
= the division of them might be.
Now, how often have you heard the say
: ing that 'sdeath loves shining light,'' with
: out its making much impression upon you
r until all at onch yon realize that this kindly
oelpful, sympathetic man is in the grave
and a rare assortment of old crumudgeon
left-perhaps with nc poetic reference to re
: pentance. change of heart, or some othe
e miraculous intervention.
!, Born fgain-may be-but flint was orig
; nally sponge, and the ultimate ''hard'' ehai
# acter generally remains.
What shall the Harvest be! Francis Murph
will tell you what il ought 10 be if you win be
: the Grand Opera House at 8 30 this afternoon.
e Democratic National Headquarters
, New YORK, Sept. 6.-Among the caller
t at the Democratic national headquartel
: were r. s. W. Duke. of Virginia, and Fran
Weave, of Connecticut. The letter frol
Illinois SAYS that there was wonderfI
S change going on in Illinois to-day ths
. promised to revolutionize the politics-of Il