Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-09-05

the subject OF the criticism and the OBJ
Ject or the merriment. nay, oft times the
ridicule, have described.
The w0rk-a day world that surrounded
him did not know of the loving heart that
beat within his shrunken frame. nor of
the generous impulses that had their be-
Ing within his little head. Because he
did not emblazen his impulses on his
sleeve or shout aloud his love upon the
streets he was misunderstood. III there
were those who knew him as he truly was
they kept silence. afraid to say word in
his behalf to the shouting world. or II
there were those who knew OF his inner
life, they cared not, as he was but one In
the great world anyway and entitled to
no special word Of praise and let their love
OF the ridiculous and Of odd things over
ride their better natures. SO the old man
walked on his way with no other helpful
ness than that received by word and hand
from patient wsfe aud loving son. Doing
what he believed was right In all things,
doing all that he In his weakness found TO
DO, which at this time was simply in
walking homeward with his son twice n
day from the task that earned the bread
Tor all their mouths.
In the course OF the year and when the
summer days were long the wife and the
mother was laid to rest In the beautiful
burying ground that adjoins the village,
ana thereby changed life was thrust
upon Mr.. Bunson. For now. instead of
going twice day to accompany William
home, he only went to him of evenings.
Ihe midday journey was now changed to
the grave OF his wife, the wife his youth
and old age as well, she who in the sunny
days OF long ago had with him left the
green lanes Of Old England. and was now
dead aud asleep beneath an alien sky.
Nor was the day ever too cold or hot or
too wet or otherwise disagreeable for the
now enfeebled soul to Journey on his
sacred mission, or TO kneel beside the
green mound and pray that he might soon
be at rest as well, and never did he leave
this to him holy place without kissing the
earth above her breast and fervently say
ing, I'll soon be with you, mother"
hen II came 10 bc known that Little
Daddy BunsOn' was silently performing
an act that for sacredness and devotion
had never before been paralleled or even
approached In duty to the dead in that
little community, his eccentricities were
all forgotten. the cut and make of hls
clothes as well as the shape of his can.
the tit OF his pants and the size of his
nose were all unnoticed. and one and all, ,
even the b0isterous lads. rendered obeis-
ence to the wondrous devotion this
strange little old man so patiently and so
unostentatiously exemplified
A few years more and the patient and
most dutiful william. 10 the general re-
gret OF the entire community. and over
whelming sorrow of his father. was laid
beside his mother, and Daddy Bunson"
came down the streets no more.
How he lived amid his sorrow and
silence none but the neighbors could tell.
He had money once. but In III of re-
ligious enthusiasm had been pursuaded
by travelling representative TO place II
| In the keeping OF one OF the societies In
the east who send Bibles. tracts and pin
cushions to the bowling cannbals along
the Congo. while Christian children cried
for bread an Christian lands. and per con-
sequence he received none OF the promised
stipend for Its use, In fact lost II all. and
during the last wears OF his life he was
supported by the charitably inclined of
the village named.
There were now two graves TO visit and
care for. there were now two mounds to
pray over and to whisper his earnest and
hopeful words. all OF which he did as un-
faillngly as ever. And what with almost
constant weeping for the dead, and over
his lonely aud seemingly unrequited life,
and the intrmity OF years. he at last be-
came so blind that. whilst he was yet en-
abled 10 find his way along the broad
avenue that led to his Mecca. he was un-
able to read the names upon the monu-
ments erected To the memory Of his dead.
and instead thereof would daily trace
them out with his wan and trembling
fingers. But what was his great Joy one
morning To find that some generous hand
had kindly painted he lettering on the
stone In black, 81 that he could again
readily read the blessed names thereon,
nor did he ever know that the helpful
deed was done hy one Of the lads who
used to laugh az him from behind the
very hand that painted the letters for
him.
One morning in the waning of the year.
the naples were turning golden aud red
in autumnal sun. aud mellow haze Of
Indian summer crowned with glOrv the
beautiful hills that surrounded the VIII !
lage where this scene II laid and the old /
man started on what proved 10 he his |
last visit 10 the graves Of his kindred. his |
slow aud wavering steps were guided by a 1
lad " ho met him ON the way. aud know |
ing of his errand. volunteered to assist I
him thither and 10 help him knecl In his I
accustomed place between the graves:
ard he was seen to fold his hands for his
accustomed prayer.
Ina little while thereafter the sexton in /
passing found him lying prom" on the
grave OF his wife. his face hid among the
myrtle aud the ivy planted thereon. aud
which had come from his native land.
The yearning prayer that he had uttered
through all the years had been answered
and he had gone to his beloved,
September 3. lssD.
Orno Strong. of the West Coast Trade
Of Tacoma. was then asked to respond To
a toast to the ladies, which he gallantly,
aud Willingly did to the great
satisfaction of his audience.
Ex-Mayor Wheelwriehttof Tacoma. In
his ever brilliant way presented u resolu-
tion OF thanks To the citizens Of Fairha-
ven tor what he was pleased 10 term their
unbOunded and unpretentiOus hospitality
10 the Press Association In which he was
eloquently seconded by Hon. Thadeus
Huston. Of Tacoma. and the resolution
was enthusiastically adopted.
Col. G. r. Ferry. affcciionately called
THE Duke Of Tacoma then spoke Tor
a few minutes In warm terms
Of the Focal city Falrhaven and
said 80 many good and cheering
things about the coming metropolis that
all the citizens Of Fairhaven present
were deeply gratiiicd and all Others In at
tendance signihed enthusiastically their
of the sentiments uttered bv
Col. Ferry. Among Othei things he said
that the people here evidently know how
To build a city and were doing II IN a re-
thorough manner. "Fairhaven
Is already real city," he said. The
people have city ways aud city ideas and
with the energy. enterprise and co-opcra-
tive tendencies Of the people. q metrOpO-
al. Il "a ~ all