Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-09-16
JOHN GODFREY SAKE.
AN EMkcIATeD FORM, TOTTeRInG
STEPS AND SHRUNKEN CHEEK.

The Old Poet Mere Shadow Of His
Former SeIf--He seldom Goes Beyond
the Confines of His Rooms-Reads but
Little.
In a large and mJuiously furnished apart
ment in four story brown stone house on
State street, i'll the city of Albany, and
almost within stones throw of the great
capitol. sits or walks or reclines throughout
the day man of 20 years of age With hair
tiat is silvery white, full heard that is
gray white. a form that is bent and emaci-
atel, step that is slow aIsl tottering, and a
cheek that is pallid and shrunkcn-his blue
eyes, Yet full and lustrouS, alone indicate the
strength and pride of other days. This man
is John Godfrey Sake, the poet
The old poet is now much changed in form
and feature, being merely a shadow of his
former self During the first three years of
his residence in Albany he spent some hours
each pleasant day in strolling about the beau
tiful park near by, or TRANQUILITY sitting there
in shady arbor, watching the children at
their play. But during the past two years no
public eye has seen him, for in that long in
terval he has of his own choice been carefully
secluded in his room He neither rides nor
VAIN" ""i '"" i"c uf~'i .i' ~ ' 0
sPh"s nS h'eiaii'iioit u"SS 'uiSi''' vi
sui'e U, 'uiee T"oiiis, ioSaoeu ILL 'ie rear emu
vi 'ne n"u'e' UI 'Ie 'hiiu n'oi' anu Wv ''A-
MS '''' "'"'' ii"'''''' W ''' '''''i
WATCHING THE RIVER CRAFT.
Here by the window he whiles away much
OF his time IN watching the busy river craft
and in contemplating the picturesque land
scapc. or street attire he no longer has
need; IN dressing gown and slippers he PAGES
the floor with SLOW and trembling steps, sell
dom or never going beyond the confines OF
his own rooms lie prefers to have perfect
quiet about him, and oftentimeS dislikes to
be disturbed even by member OF his own
family.
II Is long time since he last consented TO
receive stranger, or even friend, or an &C
qualht2nce OF foriner days.
Il cannot bear he said, with pathoS, TO
De torclbly reminded OF what once was-of
the DAYS oi my nope ana strength, when the
world had charms that now are dead to me:
before sickness had deprived NE OF my health
aiid death mad robbed me of my loved ones
In 1881, ON ms hrst coming To Albany, the
eminent physicians whom his family con
suited III BIS behalf preClct"t that he would
not survive two years longer.
He iSoeS to hed between the hours of and
IL oC.ock IN the evening, and rises at about
o:]o III the morning lie complains much OF
insomnia, ana during the day is often very
restless, suffering from neuralgia IN the head.
when not sitting IN an easy chair or moving
lelSurely about his room, he recllnes upon a
couch. lie eats often but very sparlnGly,
ana l'artakes oi the pialhest ot food, lndiges-
toh helhS one oI MS principal DodllN Ills. VI
MS valet, a nlddle-agcd coiored man twho by
reason of prlor service with eminent people at
WASHINGTON and other places Is more than
ordinarily intelligent and entertaining,, the
poet Is very iond' chatting with him now and
again "ltn more than usual degree OF in
tereSt ana ANIMATION
READS COMPARATIVELY LITTLE.
Ohtl quite recently lie devoted good
share oi ms time To perusal OF the standard
poets ana the leading magazines, those of
the latter !" whose pages he was once val
ueN Contributor p~lhS stliI sent nm regularly
anu uiiSpIi'luch ny lile PUBLISHERS lhciepI. IN