St. Landry democrat., 1889-10-12

ONLY A FRIEND AND FAITHFUL SERVANT
NEAR-AN ACCOUNT OF HIS LAST ILL
NESS AND DYING HOUR WHAT HE
LEAVES BEHIND HIM.
LONDON, Sept % -Wilkie Collins, the
eminent, world famous novelist, died at
his residence, 80 Wimpole street, Caven-
dish Square, at half past 10 o'clock this
morning,
It was a strange death for man whose
brain had pictured and whose pen had
described the death of all kinds of men, in
all kinds of places that could be conceived.
He died alone, without wife, child, or rel
alive to soothe his last agnnies with that
love and sympathy which only comes from
ties Of blood He had not relative in the
world save one old aunt, who was far away
in DorseJshire, and whom he had not seen
for a long time BY his side were DIR. t.
Carr Beard, his lifelong friend and physl-
clan, and an old housekeeper, who for
thirty wears has looked after her masters
comfort u it'll the care and devotion OF
slave. His valet, George, was not present,
and it was in the company OF single
friend and servant that the man who mad
described SO many deaths breathed his last
breath.
The deceased was very much emaciated,
and the pallor of his thin face was helght,
ened bv the long, dark mustache ana
heavy beard. He was short man, OF
slender build, with large head, and
broad, prominent forehead and large intel
lieent ewes. He had for three months been
a prisoner in the room in which he died.
He was sixty five years of age, and the Ill
| ness. which was primarily due to a long
standing sffliction of the heart, was mace
serious by a stroke of paralysis, two
| months ago. This stroke DR.. Carr Beard
brought him through successfully and ms
patient was steadily progressing toward
recovery when he was seized with an attack
of bronchitis This greatly complicated the
SYMPTOMS and he was not strong enough 10
| throw it off For two weeks he has been
| steadily failing, owing to lack OF nutrition.
He could not retain or digest the slightest
food, Since Friday his death has been
known to be only q matter OF tlme' anu
long before midnight last evening, II was
feared he would not live to see another Gay.
! His death took place amid perfect calm
| He was leaning back with his head pur-
! ied in the inflow of his chair. From time 10
| time the doctor felt the futtering pulse'
which was growing weaker and more
irregular. Now and then the dying man
opened his eyes in vague, dreamy se aso
| Of his condition, but that was all. Al lo;oo
! there was a slight convulsive movement ms
head sank back, and when the doctor 'ooA
his wrist the heart had ceased to peat.
| Mr. Collins was in comfortable circq 1I!
stances but was scarcely rlch man Lis
fortnna is under $4,000 He lived Tor
lon time in the Wimpole street mouse,
! though it is not his own properly: 80
fl1ad with q wonderful store OF oric ui]
and some valuable old furniture. MOSS?
the articles having in addition W 1 Gnor.
intrinsic value, the added interest oi L. n>ot
arv associations. Prominent among 'N 80
are sketches, pictures ana oia piinO' avoc,
latter covering the walls. MI Goi.lhs go
utors are DR.. Carr Beard ana AleA 49,
Watt. his literary agent: soiy ,a+ of
estinr figure in the sad picture 1? go
the doctor. He was the most ihSllh"se be
trnsted friend of Charles Dlchen0, ." trrer
was of Mr. Collins, and there were 10 a !.
or deeper mourners at the Deu sioo "a nan.
man than this wise, sympatpe1io ola half
rrba ,yor1d never knows its great nleA 10" ;f
- i,,,;,, ately as it would like to, anu -
a.,sr +he doctor writes his memories ny a.s
Iii ba of the deepest interest to an se"uu,
" e David CopperGeld," or the :" oLn@
=, White" Mr.. Collins has never ln" 81 bis
I'D - 10 understood that the bulk VI Ia
p properly gees to the friend for w 1ssls
had close. warm friendship 1of yeas
New York Herald.
In England alone we spend a. W lsas' With With
coo, OCO a year in tobacco, o,s cigarette
pipes matches, cigar h0 we DO not spend
tubes, cigarette machines chi s,essr we Pulpit
less than 500, 200, 900 year ~