San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-04

ward with q curious expression. 20
your friend is going to Washington
temporarily" he said. Then the old
gentleman fretted n nome at in his arm
chair and began on an anecdote. 81 re-
member" he remarked, "when 1 was in
Washington, in 1853, that a youngster
named McArdle came to the city--tem-
porarily. Well" but just here one of
the young gentlemen who lowered
around Miss Florence came ND the path
to the family group, and the converse
ton became general.
I'm tell you about McArdle some
other time" said Uncle Tom to Wind
ward quietly. 'It's long story, and a
pretty good one. If you ever do 20 to
Washington you must be sure and look
him up"
As Windward had said, Stevens spent
the summer months in Washington. And
when the autumn came young Mr.. Bas-
sett learned to his sorrow that his friend
had decided TO stay on through the year,
as he could hold his place, which gave
him good salary, and study law in one
of the local colleges in his abundant
leisure. Windward's first impulse was
to go where he could be with his friend,
but Mrs. Bassett would not hear of it,
and, moreover, to Windward's surprise,
Uncle Tom added his veto to the sug-
gestion. So friends were parted.
With the following two years these
chronicles have little to do Windward
pursued his law studies quietly and well,
with but one notable interruption. One
day that inevitable guest, Death, came
up the path to the family group and laid
his hand Of conservation and blessing.
kindly and gently, on the white head Of
old Tom Bassett.
His end was easy and peaceful. Wind
ward fortunately reached his bed
side in time to receive his fond and
wise dying messages. "You are going
to see the twentieth century, Wind
ward" he said. II wish | might, and
hope l shall, for we read that the gift of
God is eternal life. But, candidly, had
about as lief be citizen of the United
States for fifty years longer as an angel.
But have no quarrel with death. He
has been very patient. Sometimes l
have thought it was the claim. I've
noticed in others that claim, like the
asthma, often prolongs life" He talked
in this cheerful, playful tone constantly,
without knocking, however, or frivolity;
and at times he grew very earnest, as
when he turned to Windward after
long silence and said: believe in your
country, its justice, its greatness, its
value. Above all the pettinesses of the
scrabble for life rises the grand ideal of
self government, like the white dome of
the capitol above the shanties at its base
II the times look sordid and great men
small, think of the noble services, the
splendid sacrifices of these same men in
the heroic times. They would do the
same again. But l wish people would
live for their country rs willingly as they
die for it."
As the end grew nearer he wandered
at times, and in his delirium seemed to
be revisiting the favorite haunts Of his
younger manhood. ''He is talking about
Rufus Choate," whispered Mrs. Bassett
to her children; "they were great friends.
He can't last long now, children"
Poor unclet" exclaimed Florence,
bursting into tears.
II don't know about that said Wind
ward stoutly. though his eyes were filling
too.
Just on the horizon the sun burst
through the clouds. He recognized them,
kissed and blessed them. Then, after
struggle for breath, he said in his famil-
lar, kind tones: "The bill entitled bill
for the relief of old Tom Bassett has
been read third time, and is now put
upon its final passage"
Some inarticulate sentences followed,
and then he pressed the hand of his niece
and expired.