Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-09-17
In MuInorist.
rscr quotes that

Home, by Bob Burdette, and tells u
story showing how close nkin TO pathos
is the authors humor. .Burdette was
IN Buffalo on BUSINESS n few years
ago, and met some friends with whom
he spent an extrensely jovial night.
He was apparently in a frenzy OF fun,
and wit and bright jokes emanated
from him like electric sparks. Here
is the sequel:
Bob and | walked back 60 his hotel
Heasked me to accompany him to
his room, as he did not care to be
alone after such Jolly night, and rs
1t would get no LATER we might rs we'll
SMOKE u cigar or two. We lit our CT
CARS and smoked for moment in sill
ence, when Bob threw his weed into
the cuspldor end flung himself
face downward ON the bed, where
he sobbed as though his heart
would break. | grew alarmed, and
asked whether he was i'll, and if |
could do anything for him. lie recov-
cred himself after while and begged
me TO forgive him, but his sorrow was
greater than he could bear. Said
he:
81 have been making n fool and
buffoon OF myself all night to please
a. lot Of good-natured fellows who
would never give me a second thought
if | had not the reputation OF being
an amusing chap, but it was not to
please them that j have been carrying
on. have been trying to get away
from the misery OF my own mind and
the certain knowledge of the desola-
ton that must fall over my home be-
fore long. My poor wife, you must
know, Is dying there by inches before
my eyes, and there is no skill on earth
to ease her agOnes, much less save
her. She's the dearest little woman,
my boy, that ever lived or breathed.
She endures, with the most placid res
ignatiOn, torments such as surely must
be spared the lost, and I'm afraid that
she would be content even to die and
leave me if only to get relief. But
that's only n mans selfish way of
talking. She has made me whatever
am or may become in the world. She
filled me with ambition to rise above
drudgery when there was little pros
pect OF any other sort OF life before
me, and she has been my severest crit
&c rs well "a my most faithful adviser. )
Years that have seen her advice begr
fruit have only added pain and ~
cry to her and TO me, and am STs-
ed to hawk my fun around tL<blig-
try IN lectures and play ~ coun-
lester TO the press, solve merry
ing may be lackinS<hat moth
ally my heart Is W when actu-
worked hard <rstine; | have
matter when b(pon humorous
Whet her she ~ her side, wondering
dead ofte/as only asleep or really
ease het< stopping in my task TO
ana kZuring an agOnizing spasm,
-dge/t at il by the certain knowl-
only such work would prove
/cIently rcmunerative You have
Yard of the comic actor who played
K part with his usual crispness and
leeptabiity, while all the time his
1 'art was at home, where his wife lay
. The poin. OF death Well, my boy,
years ! have been enduring nightly
efore the public in lecture halls, and
ally at my desk. all that that poor
nan went through. May God spare
ny other human being such torment!
have my son, Robbie, "A bright young
ter, who has been perfectly prepared |
V his mother for the grim day when
e shall be alone. She tells him that
he is TO 90 home, and, oh God, what
ill 1t be for both OF us when she goes
ome?"
We parted and have not seen him
NICE The verses Just read so recall
o me that sorrowing morning alter n
light of excitement undertaken TO
rive away care, that | could not
clip telling of the experience / had
18th the man by way OF illustrating
is sincerity.