Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-08

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Vermont hills, with four giant naples in
front of it and brawling stream in the
meadow beyond and 1 knew that tears
would fall fast and long in the old home
when the news. of Dandy Dicks death
should be flashed to its doors, and SO l
asked of the dying man, Have you any
word for the dear ones at homer
g Certainly he replied in the pleasant,
sweet way that was his habit. Tell
mother never have found a face among
all the girls as sweet as hers, nor hand
as soft bn my head Then, after mo-
ment's pause, he added, Tell the general
that died like gentleman, with clean
cuffs and boots like a mirror, and Bob
Bob is something of cub, you know
and the light in his eyes as he said it was
as merry as his heart had ever been; tell
Bob to DO careful of his laundering and
keep himself well groomed when he takes
the road as one of the great fraternity of
commercial travellers, for no man can sell
goods who doesn't keep himself like gen
tleman.'
II must confess, comrades, that l
wanted to say something more-something
even graver-for through the mist of my
tears could see that the whiteness that
comes but once to the face of man was
coming to Dicks, and that he was nigh to
the line that none can come to but once
nor ever return from, and l longed to
know how his soul stood as it drew near
to the crossing, and SO / summoned up
courage for the question that no true man
asks of true man save when the two stand
with hand clasped in hand on the edge of
last parting.
Dick murmured, how looks the
road ahead, and what comfort can you
leave me and the many that love you?
q Tell the boys'-and he said it with q
sweet cheerfulness-'tell the boys that
came to the end of my trip as a drummer
should who has sold straight goods in
straight fashion, and I shall pass in my
accounts to the great firm without fear or
quaking, for all charges are duly made out
and every item correct, and have no fear
but that l shall get a new outfit and a
good route when l ask for it tomorrow.
And he feebly raised the white hand that
was unmarried and placed it in mine.
II could ask no more, for I knew that
Dick had told the simple truth, and felt
| in my heart that l was greatly privileged
| to sit beside man who could say what he
said and face the futuro-the great, dim
| future that lies waiting US ell beyond this
| life-so cheerfully. And so said no other
| word, but, with my hand in his, sat wait
| ing on the edge of that river that was
| flowing so nigh and flows on unseen save
| by those who have como down to it for
| their crossing. And so l sat silently hold
| ing his hand, waiting. But in moment
| a memory came to me, and l, bending low
| to his ear, softly said:
| "' is there no dear one, Dick, to WHOM.
you would send message?"
| 7" Life has been like wine to me, old
| boy he whispered softly, and the girls
have been very kind, for they and I We're
young. and their hands were soft and the.2
mouths sweet, but ! have never loved
! grossly nor done evil to any There's q
! locket in my bosom, and in it are a face and
| a name you will recall when you see Them
and she and have loved, and loved truly
| and had the cars kept the track she would
have been my wife next spring, when the
| ice melts and the flowers bloom, you know.
| And to his lips that never more would
| move in mirth there came the curving of
| his old merry smile at the verbal flourish
with which no had closed his pathetic
statement. And then the look that comes
| but once to mortal face came to his. and
he knew he had come to the end, for, gath
ering up his failing strength, he family
| said:
Tell the boys to sell their goods
straight and keep their accounts square,
that they may stand well with the great
firm at their home coming
| 'And with these words of love and
counsel to the boys the spirit of Dandy
Dick passed upward on its travels.
| "We buried him, with all the honors Of
the travelling craft in the little graveyard
| with it's white marble gravestones among
the green hills where he was born.
AS we were on our return to the depot
paused at the top of the hill that over
looked the valley where our comrade sleeps
and what l saw remains printed on my
memory and will remain while live, for
l could see grave, with two women
darkly CARRIED standing by it, and a tall
white haired old man, holding q horse at
the little graveyard gate. waiting for the
women to join him. Nv. H. II. Murray
in Home Magazine.