Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1894-08-16

dents from 1.-THE Last Days of
John Mccullough" by Joseph
Haworth, in DoRdh0e's Magazine
for August =
One night an incident occurred
which showed, that despite is
mental failing. his heart-im-
pulses were as strong as in the
days of his triumphs. We were
sitting in the Office OF the hotel
chatting. when a pale little lad
entered with musical tops for
sale. The groups of loungers
pushed the boy rudely aside and
spoke harshly to him. When
the Governors glance fell
upon him, he said, Come here
my little man. What are you
doing out so late at night?' L
am trying to sell these tops"
the boy replied. The little fell
low was quite worn and wasted,
like a consumptive, fact which
gave color to his statement that
his mother was dying of the dis
ease at home. I believe the boy
was thoroughly honest and de-
serving, for at mention of that
sacred name mother" the tears
filled his large blue eyes.
Mccullough grew interested
as the boy talked on, and asked
at last: What age are you my
little MANI"
Eleven, replied the boy"
"And you support your mother
on what you make from the sale
of these tops?"
Yes. sir; but my mother used
to sew until she became i'll, and
now | have to do what [ can to
help her and the little ones
along" And with these words
he burst into tears.
Mccullough patted the bent
head, and gave the boy a bank
note saying, keep the change,
my boy; you need it more than I
do. Be good to your mother al
ways. You can never have but
one. God bless you, my noble
little fellow, God bless you.'
The boy stood dumfounded at
the success of his appeal, and
gazed at the Governor" until
he summoned up courage to say:
THANK you, Sir" and with a
look of great happiness in his
pale face he turned away.
McCullough's time was now
consumed in study or reading. /
visited him daily at his room,
where he often read TO me from
the wife of Miletus," a play by
the talented Greek scholar. Tim
ayennis, which he admired very
much. While reading he would
often stop to discourse on some
passages that pleased him par
ticularly. AT such times he fire.
quently lost his place, and read
again the lines he had previously
rendered, not realizing how
treacherous his memory had be
come.
Not long afterwards it was
deemed imperative to send him
to an asylum, where his malady
could have proper treatment.
Bloomingdale was selected; ano
on June 90, 1885, he was placed
in that institution, where he re.
NAMED until Oct. % of the same
year. when he was removed tc
his home in Philadelphia, at the
earnest request Of his true
hearted wife, who lived at 81!
East Thompson street. They
had been separated for many
years, but McCullough's early
love for her was revived as his
intellect weakened. The flame
of his affection had not entirely
died during their separation, fo1
I often heard him speak lovingly
Of her during our travels to
gether. remember one Christ
mas Eve he called me to his room
and showed me a roll of black
silk, saying that it was q present
for Mrs. Mccullough. I coult
not resist remarkinS, Il am glaC
of that. Governor, for this is the
season when peace and good viii
should be the order"
Mccullough smiled sadly, re
naming silent for q couple O.
minutes. Then he said: "She
was a good little soul, but she
could not keep pea @ with me.
He was proud, however, of hel
affection for him, AL he told me
of an incident that happened
few days previous. when he
called to see her. When he lef1
her house one of the neighbors
inquired of his wife, us thai
your great husband?"
yes" responded Mrs. Nc.
Cullough with warmth.
WELL" continued the gossip.
s'he has lots to do to come here
and show himself after keeping
away so long. I wouldn't have
a husband like that"
"Ah," replied the wife of the
tragedian, 81 am prouder of his
coat tails than you can be o.
your husbands whole body"
After Mccullough was talSet
to Philadelphia from Blooming
dale, he received the tenderes'
care aud consideration from his
wife. who administered to bis
slightest wants. For a shorf
time she had the satisfaction o.
seeing her husband apparently