The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-03-25
A Day Spent With the Author
in Her Concord Home.
A MANS GRACEFUL TRIBUTE
Stranger-Taking Him to the
Home of Emerson.
copyrighted. 1887
for THE sUNbAY HEnALD,

nous aut00r Few years dBO dI AcI
Concord home. 1 was visiting Boston,
when the desire to meet Mr.. Emerson
took possession of me. and l started for
Concord. Arriving at the quaint his
toric town, 1 learned that Emerson's
health was such that his family pro-
hihited any strangers from seeing him.
l naturally gave up the idea, but re-
calling that Miss Alcott's residence was
in the town. repaired to the old Al
colt man ion. l was an entire stranger
to her, but had a friendship of ten
years standing existed between us the
reception she accorded me could not
have been more warm and cordial. For
more than an hour we chatted about
literary matters, when l casually in
CURED concerning her father. He is
in his room dozing," she explained; "it
is no longer the same pleasure or
strangers to meet him. but come and
see him for yourself" and she led the
way into room on the opposite side OF
the hall. There, on sofa, comfortably
reclining on a pillow of snowy white,
lay the old philosopher. STOPPING
down, the devoted daughter tenderly
kissed the brow of her distinguished
father. He opened his eyes slowly.
smile orept over the somewhat tired
features, 1 thought, as he saw who had
reused him, and then seeing me stand
al the foot of the lounge. he nodded
and extended his hand. Miss Alcott
pronounced my name, and, ike
schoolboy after his teacher, he repeated
it. How pleasant it is to look upon
youth in the full blush of health" he
said. as he gazed at me though fully ii
moment. "WLl you not sit down here
moment and talz with me?" he
asked and seating myself on a low
stool at the side of bis coucn, the old
philosopher and essayist took my hanu
in his, and for a BRIT five minutes, be
convinced ne how pleasant must his
eff hand public talks" have fallen
upon the ears OF those who listened to
hlm in his years of strength and health
Repairing again to the parlor, told
MISS Alcott that | regretted my inabil-
ity to me t MIR. Elmer on. He Sc :
scarcely any one now" she replied,
but let US walk to the house. and per
hsps you can get glimpse of him, even
If you cannot speak 10 him." Il
was crisp day in November, and IN
the clear, wintry air l had an enviable
opportunity of studying the features Of
the women whose written words hau
delighted so many thousands Of chill
dren. 1t was a strong intellectual face;
the eye was Indy. and from 1T beamed
a look of contentmenL and happiness.
And yet l thought look of care and
sadness was on the face. Sac sliZed
only too we'll, even at that time, thai
the strong mind of her father was
slowly losing its activity. and 1t cloudeO
her otherwise happy lie. During that
short walk to the Emerson home, the
conversation dwelt only with him
whose love she deemed more precious
than all the laurels of her literary
success. Tenderly she spoke of him,
and when she expressed the hope to me
that her fathers former good health
might again return to him, new ligh.
seemed to come to her eyes. anu her
step qulckened. A daughters love
beautiful and almost heavenly, flied
her bosom, and in all the word of be
conversation none was spoken with
such feeling as when she required t..
father" We shortly reached Mr.
Emerson's house. Miss Emerson
greeted US at the door, AID welcomed
me with true New England hospitality
as was introduced to her by Miss Al
colt as her young friend" l had heel
placed in Louisa Alcott's category Of
friends, and as an ardent reader ana All
mlrsr OF her books, IS 1t not pardonable
that feeling of pride took possession
of me? Miss Emerson took US int,
the comfortable little parlor, and tell
as If l had been conducted in a room
filed with the associations of The choice
est spirits of American letters After
brief conversation, Miss Alcott tulo
Miss Emerson Of my desire TO meet bet
father. He meets DO one," she saio
turning to me, but l will go and see
him." She had gone but moment
when Miss Aicott excused hsrself say
ing, on shall see Mr. Emerson If il
is at all possible" A few minutes
passed. and the ladies returned. Miss
Alcott had a smile on her face, and /
knew sh4 had succeeded for an audi
ence. "Your wish is to be realized, =
she said simply, and beckoning me,
followed my interesting guide
Through two rooms We went, and l was
about to cross through the third when
l found myself in Emerson's library.
There, at his desk, his face turned to-
wards the fire as In deep meditation
sat the man whom had so many times
fondly hoped to meet. l was again H.
troduced by Miss Alcott. Emerson
rose with quiet dignity in his manner,
extended his hand, which l shook in
hearty way. M tioning me to chair
l sat down and was about to begin a
conversation, when he rose. walked to
the window, and stood silently looking
out as if no one was in the room. l
looked at Miss Alcott, who put her
finger to her mouth, indicating that
was to be silent. Not a word was
spoken for an uncomfor table long time.
[ turned in my seat, beng determined
that should at least see Emers s
back, if was not to see his face again.
Presently he left the window resumed
his chair, looking intently at the fire,
still ignoring the presence of either of
US. Have you read this new work of
Ruskin's yet?' broke upon the stillness