San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-03-15
ADAY WITH WHITTIER.
The Last Years OF q Good Man.
Andover Letter to the Philadelphia Press.

The Last Years Of a Good Man.
Andover Letter to the Philadelphia Press.
John Greenleaf Whittier passe,
his eightieth mile post amid che ben
edictions Of the people and surround
ed by many tokens of respect. As
entered the house on soak Knoll" OF
the poets birthday, gallant Josepl
Cortland, of Newburyport vel
known among Philadelphia Quaker
and around Haverford College, cam,
ont, escorting, with true colonial gal
lantry, o lady to the carriage in wait
ing. This plainly dressed woman
possessed face not beautiful buI
suggestive, and as she was whirled
away and disappeared among the
trees, With merry twinkle in her
eyes and a ringing laugh, she waved
farewell to the silver haired husband
of Gertrude Cortland, who stood up.
on the piazza. That was Elizabeth
Stuart Phelps, who came over from
Andover to pay her respects to our
"dearest poet
Within was scene long to be re-
membered, There was no formality,
everybody was happy and yet there
was a perceptible under-current OF
regret, for Whittier was eighty years
of age Alas, 'the years Of our life
are threescore years and ten" The
spacious dining room was filed with
Q merry throng of people, many fow-
ers, good coffee, and good things to
eat. jolly Governor Ames, in pure
Puritanic fashion. stood at the head
of the table and cut the fruit cake.
And now here comes Whittier him
self and mingles with the throng-
the author of "Snow Bound" and
"Mogg Megone," OF "Toussaint
lOuverture, and the first of any liv.
ing American poets. His step is SUR
prisingly firm, his eye twinkling with
gratitude. He and the governor had
some innocent sport. which consisted
in sprightly repartee in which the
good poet showed himself no mean
master. After many farewells had
been said, we sat down and talked,
and what a delightful conversation it
was! We looked into the deepening
gloom, which tenderly settling over
"Oak Knoll" The wind soughed over
through the pines. I looked up into
that sweet face with the wrinkles OF
eighty years upon it, and said: "Mr.
Whittier, you surely are very happy
to-day, surrounded as you are with
tokens of appreciation"
eyes, yes" be replied, u am hap
py, but-but-" he faltered as he
turned away to hide the gathering
tears, sit is my last birthday. 1t will
soon he over"
He gazed away toward the sen
and the gloom was deeper. "How
absurd" he added, "to pay such trib-
ute to me! 1t is entirely overdone.
Mr.. Whittiers exceeding modesty
was often illustrated during the day.
Some one sent lovely laurel crown,
which was placed over the oil por-
.rait of himself. This painting repre-
'ents Whittier as young man, and
$ one Of bis favorite pictures. The
modest old man observed this crown
over the picture, and when an oppor-
unity presented itself, took the crown
iown and hid it. His friends, after
! search, found and replaced it, but
The good poet failed to recognize it
he second time.
In the evening we were gathered
n the west parlor and Mr.. Whittier
vas in good spirits after day of ex-
'itement. Charles Coffin had lost his
Quaker-Blains hat and wanted to go
,ome. Finally, after long search,
somebody intimated that Mr.. Whit
ier had appropriated il for his own
Use, but he was equal to the occasion |
md advised Mr.. Coffin to take the
lext hat he could find in the house,
's he had too many hats already.
he arose at one time, and, standing
rect in the room surrounded by fra
rant flowers and elegant souvenirs,
le exclaimed, "How shall / tell
hese dear friends how thankful I
mi / will write something for all.
Miffiin & Co.. presented
heir distinguished patron with life
lied etching of Mr.. Whittier in
losed within an elegant frame OF
'ollshed wood. They also sent a
bouquet Of choice flowers.
The Hampton school sent O painting
ramed by the Indian boys, who cut
is name in the frame. A town named
fter Whittier. in California. sent its
rst paper printed Oh fine silk. and
here were hundreds Of costly and
souvenirs OF respect, WHICH
1r. Whittier showed me with eyi-
ent interest.
In the course OF conversation be
eferred TO the battle he fought for
he slaves aud recounted some Of the
Genes he went through during the
struggle. II remembsr
istinctly upon one occasion" be
aid, I'VE held q great meeting in
fremont Temple. That was when
be voice Of Abbie Folsom was beard
j New England. We were divided
5 TO the means Of settling the difi.
ulty and tbero was great confusion.
'remODt Temple presented . Wild
sene on that memorable night II
,oked IS though there would be
loodsbed. Upon The platform. with
.anv otbers sat William Iloxd Gar