Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-06-19

Don't disparage our ruin. In this new
country ruins are scarce. They re- M
infant industry and need protection
not attack. Why. Just sec how CAREFUL )
congress preserves them."
at will be our ruin said Mrs. has
seti. ''if W. keep al IL"
''oh. mo,herl" shouted Wiudward
"Say. Florence. mother has made ia,
on the claim
Uncle Tom smiled at this by play and
went ON, rather grimly:
Foreigners say we have no ruins. but
could show them some about Washing
ton"
Yes. it's dreadful place." broke In
Mrs. Bassett; II hope windwari will
never go near t."
Except ~ q justice. mother. ercep,
~ justice. exclaimed tho youngs,er.
Mighty little Justice therei" retort-
Cd Mrs. Bassett.
"Washington, said old Tom. with the
calm confidence Of . real estate agent In
his tone. "is rapidly becoming one IL the
most beautiful cities In the country, and
wish ! was there. IL II Ia summer"
Peter Stevens Ia going there. uncle
for the summer" said Windward. III,
member Of congress got him clerkshif
10 that he could lay mp little money r.
start on In the autumn. when our Law
term begins"
Old Toms blue eyes rested on Wind,
ward with = curious expression. 80
your friend Ii going to Washington
temporarily" he said. Then the old
gentleman frcttcd n moment In his arm.
chair and began ON an anecdote. II TO
member" he remarked. when was IN
Washington. In 1859. that q youngsteI
named McArdle came 10 the city---tem
porsrily. Well" Int Just hese one 81
the young gentlemen who hovercsl
around Miss Florence came up tho path
10 the family group, and tho converse
ton became general.
"rll tell you about McArdie soins
other time" said Uncle Tom 10 Wind.
ward quietly. "lt's long story. aad q
pretty good one. n you ever do 100 q
Washington you must bs sure and looi
him mp"
As Windward had said. Stevens mpcui
the summer monthsin Washington. And
when the autumn came young Mr.. Has
sett learned 10 his sorrow that his friend
had decided 30 stay On through tbs year
~ he could hold his place. wh,ch gave
him . good salary. and study law in one
Of the local colleges In his abundant
leisure. WindwAri's first impulse wal
70 60 whers he could he with his friend
but Mrs.. Bassctt would not hear Of a.
and. moreover. TO windwani's surprise
Uncle Tom added his veto 10 tho sus
gestiou. So friends were parted.
With the following two years th.ss
chronicles have little 10 do. Windwarsl
purwusd his law studies quietly aud well
with but one notable interruption. One
day that inevitable guest. Death. came
up the path b ths family group and laid
his hand Of conservation and pleasing
kindly and gently. on the white head oi
old Tom Bassett.
His end Was easy aud peaceful. Wind
ward fortunately reached his bed.
side In time 10 receive his fond and
wise dying mesaagcs. "You are COINS
70 see ths twentieth century, Wind
ward" be said. II wish might, and
hope | shall. for We read that the gift Of
God IL eternal life. But. candislly, I had
about - lief b citizen Of the United
States for nfty years longer ~ an angel.
But have no quarrel with death. liz
has been very patient Sometimes
have thought u was the claim. I've
noticed In others that . claim, like the
asthma. often prolongz life." He talked
In this cheerful. playful tone constantly,
without mocking. however. or frivoiity,
and at times he grew very earnest, ~
when be turned 10 windward after a
long silence and said: Believe In your
country. its Justice. It's greatness. its
value. Above all the pettinesses of the
scrabble Tor life rises the grand ideal of
self government, like the white dome of
the capitol above the shanties ut Its base.
II the times look sor.iia and great snen
small. think Of the noble services. the
splendid sacrifices Of these same men In
the heroic times. They would do the
same again. But wish people would
live for their country rs willingly ~ they
die for It,"
Al the end grew nearer no wandered
ct times, and In his delirium seemed 20
be revisiting the favorite haunts Of his
younger manhood. He il talking about
Rufus Choate." whispered Mrs. Bassett
70 her children; ''they were great friends.
He can't last long now, children"
Poor uncle!" exclaimed Florence.
bursting into tears.
81 don't know about that, said Wind
ward stoutly, though his eyes were filing
too.
Just on the horizon the sun burnt
through the clouds He recognized them,
Kissed and blessed them. Then, after
struggle for breath. he said In his famil-
Tar, kind tones: 1.-THE bill entitled q bin
Tor the relief Of old Tom Bassstt has
been read . third time. and " now put
upon its final passage"
Some inarticulate sentences followed.
and then he pressed the hand Of his niece
and expired.