The sun., 1891-01-31
WHlTTIER'S PEN LAID DOWN.
THE GENTLE QUAKER POET HAs F1y.
ISHED HIS LITERARY CAREER


ISHED HIS LITERARY GARNER
Hss Wanting Physical Power. Compe, Hin
20 Rest-stu In Fuii Menta, Nsxor and
| Taking mn ndi imiUi-hed Inter~-t In the
Welfare OF HIS Fellow Men.
DASvEEs. Mass. Ian. 2s.-M Oak Knoll, a
| mile from the centre OF the town the chldrrn's
poet. John Grcenleaf Whittier. 10 passing the
eghty.fourth winter OF his life. snrrou nded by
| owing friends whose only thought ts to tighten
the cares that might burden his declining
years The years seem TO have touched him
but lightly. His spare form 10 still STRAIGHT
and his kindly eyea. though slightly dimmed
| for reading. are still bright His .tsp IL slow
but not falterng and his hand clasp Ia ~ firm
and IS hospitsble as It was . score OF years
aRo. A gentleman Of tho old school. courteous.
refined. and dignifed. Yet not distant such 10
the host who welcomes to Oak Knoll those who
would pay attribute Of respect to the Quaker
poet There are many who make this pilgrim
| "a. and ell. Whatever may bs the object OF
their visit are received with scntle courtesy.
| Mr.. Whittier's latter years have bssn bean.
| tifu ideal Of old age. He has laid aside the
heavy cares OF life. and Ia already rsapinG the
reward Of his lsbors for mankind. Beloved Of
a nation of tho entire Epelisb. speaking race.
In fsct-he awaits patiently the final reward.
1t has been Mr.. Whitter's custom to apsnd
his own home In Amesbury. But year ago
he was victim OF the grip and II weakened
him more than he weight Of advancing yesrs
had done. He has not yet fully recovered his
strength. and did not think It wise 70 make
tho change from Danvets to Amssbury this
winter Therefore he 10 resting quietly at his
summer homo. Now that the snow 10 on the
ground and the air IL full Of frost, Mr.. whittier
docs not venture out Of doors.
AT.a - kt~ st-~ a.. ~. -
fashioned library. whose walls are nearly
hidden BY hundreds Of volumes. many Of
which are personal gifts of the authors. These
books boar to slight degree. evidence Of uas.
To him books are something more than
printers ink and paper and. by keeping In
touch with the great minds Of tho present a.
we'll as Of the past. he is hetter posted on the
important questions OF the hour than urs many
younger mon who are In active service.
Mr.. Whittier's pom has been laid aside for
over. my writing days are over" he said 10
THE Sun correspondent tho other day. and.
after moments contemplation. ho continued:
Perhaps I've written too much Sometimes
| think I have. But every body has been very
kind and has given me more credit than l do.
served. But will reward their kindness by
not adding to their burdens. Isuppose I could
write II tried. but my hand is not as steay as
It once was neither are my eyes - strong IA
they were before had tho grip. never could
bring myself to use these nsw.fanRled writing
machines. An old-fsshioned pen has always
done. / have never tried debating. but l am
sure l should not mako q success OF It. The
I bpan ". esss nd
lty OF thought which can be found 10 no other
spss wsy n No. would Ss Of 10 assist
4 he poet has three hons ehold pets-two dogs
A.. h
claims ea.t n,e attention. for Il s 3Hss learning to
= 's'Sss III oG'n sh,'s
s%:s q Sc tx
H. %5s rs Is TO 70
5so Ss
Mr. Whittier wss Il lunch when TIE BUN
III s: -R T.: o::
sn ,s dSs Ses G n.a .esa.a sn
ws sy.ly sn' ..a.Ds. 6%' sssd n
Elm roa toe
cords &:
AFRAID tho public won't esrs 70 hear anything
I've Ct t, to =; say People hays so@sthns more
on an old man"
The visitor reminded him Of the messages
sfn aSa ss:s N EsIS
g1,s sgmtled, snd hs rsplisd "ThstA " y so / aapposs
many should remember such an oIdlnsr1
ns tna 70 nsp:
personA acknowledgement Of each ons I re-
seiyea gG 81 more thar go letters ana t.lsFr.m
things from the pens OF my friends There |
yuL were many ~ s,ranesrs: too Who were kind
.heiE renem Drance, but II was physical i'm:
DO you have many callers ?" was asked.
,b. %u. q PEOPLE na their
them NJ irisnds run ip 70 sec how W.T. I'm a. Get sse
ting along and tell ms what is going On !p the |
wS1 wSy hers Yes ons ss, %
with tho avowed intention Of interviewing me |
% q. various toyics; ! had been told 70 lo9k out
She called several times before could sps,c
she woDd .aie as Il. IN
But B1u she either couldn'. q wouldnt see that
hsIf az hour + ~ disgossl IL Shish
talked On al soris o. topics Just ss isst as ss
sne could talk; dIdp't say word until tho
gagement. Bhe went away, and 10 . short
81 s %s saf s4sa:i
me With tLs views she herself had expressed.
although had been careful not TO xprsss an
opinion. J. think that wss my queerest ex-
psrisnce with the newspaper interviewer. But
not all the strangers who come here arc like
that woman"
How do you spend your time now that you
have given w WrIttnRy'
"oh. there I. very little for me 10 DO. have
that way ! keep partially informed Of what
other people are doing. Tho newspaper Of to:
began my career az Journalist. 4 II could be
tb Sp sa sHe for %
think the proprietor ard the readers found i
ou. much sooner than ] did, But It is
no other field that offers more advantages.
But I'm afraid that there are many young men
who cannot resist the TEN ptatiobs whioh beset
I. . pathway OF every newspaper msp. a man
cannot usa Intoxicating lalor and tuhao.Q