The morning call., 1893-12-17

placed chair again at the bedside, and,
sitting down. took Harris hand IN his and
asked:
"What makes you lonely to-day, Charlie.
With the smile still lingering on his lips
and in voice sweet aud musical he re-
piled:
because am dying. ] am not sad tc-
day. Billy, for l have given my heart to
God and that makes it easy to die. Be
fore the bright sunshine has ceased TO
cast It's mellow glow over the earth.
shall have passed to my maker. Before
die there is one thing L will ask you TO do
for me. Billy"
What is ii, Charlie?"
Il want TO hear Charlie Gardner sing
Rock Me to Sleep as he did that night
we were all down in Delm0nicO's. and ask
Morris Hunt If he will come up to my
room and bring his banjo. l want to hear
them both, and then / will bid you all
good-by. 1t will be the last act on the
closing night and will make me happy"
A promise was given that they would
be up Immediately after dinner, and MIR.
Crane arose to leave.
Don't be later than that, Billy, for its
the closing night said the dying comedian
as be closed his eyes and sank back on his
pillow.
mir. Gardner was then playing an en-
gagement at the Grand Opera House and
there Mr. Crane directed his course with
all speed. In few words the request was
spoken and granted in even breath. Mr..
Hunt was found at the Columbia, and the
three actors began TO gather together the
members OF the various companies in the
city, male and female. who were well
known to the sick man. Five carriages
were filled. and at little before O'Clock
the party drew r1ln in front of the
hospital door. The kind acts of
fraternity aud friendship bestowed
upon Harris by the profession during his
illness In the hospital had not gone unno-
ticed by the hospital officials. Day by day
and hour by hour they had seen actors and
actresses pass in and ont the big gates
adened with flowers for Harris. The
odor Of the buds and blossoms from his
room filled the halls and cnrridors. until
feeling that hereafter ST. Luke's would be
hospital for actors had sprung up within
their breasts. No longer was there any
prejudice against the profession. but 10 its
place feeling of admiration and esteem.
Now for the first time since the opening
OF the institution so large q party OF actors
and actresses stood beneath it's roof.
Silently they were conducted to the
sick room by MIR. Grant. Dir. Gardner was
the first To enter. Hardly had he crossed
the threshold when Harris, raising himself
III his bed. extended both his hands to
greet him. hir. Hunt followed TO the bed-
side and clasped the comedians hand.
Each of the party in turn was greeted, and,
after chairs mad been brought. took seats
around the bedside. No words were
spoken. but chances told that each heart
was full. The nurse placed a pillow be-
hind the now fast sinking comedians back
TO furnish easy rest He lay back upon il
and closed bis eyes, while down his cheek
a tear stole aud hid itself in the white
linen.
In through the half-open window the
e
light and warmth around tho room, its RAYS
falling across the sick bed, now almost
covered with flowers. On the stand and
dresser stood vases filed with roses and
other choice sweet-scente blossoms. The
nurse stood at the head of the bed, her arm
resting upon the pillow. Not a word was
spoken nor SOUND audible save The rust
ling of The curtains as they were gently
famed to and Ir0 by the breeZe from the
open window.
Mr. Gardner drew his chair nearer to
the bedside, and with his arm outstrel ch ed
across the coverld. broke the silence.
Never before did sCbarlie Gardner sing so
sweetly. Soft and low the music of his
voice sounded from far away, while down
his own cheek big tears rolled. adding
pathos and solemnity TO the scene around
the deathbed. Not a dry eye was in the
room; the singers soul was in the music of
Rock Me to Sleep Three verses Of the
song were sung as they were never before.
while all around the bed listened in silence
with bowed heads. The last line of the
third verse had just died away when the
nurse leaned forward. placing one hand
upon Harris forehead and half raising tile
other. whispered:
lie can't hear you; be is dead
The words spoken, Morris Hunt took
his banjo in his hands, and as the dead
comedians body was lowered in the bed
that choir of fraternity. whose home is
where their name is on the billboard arose,
and as the last rays of the sinking sun hid
itself behind the adjacent housetops. sang
Nearer My God to Thee"