The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-09-04

had home Now if a woman only
! has home by having husband and
cooking stove this might not be with
out truth; but home, take it, is more
truly spiritual and social center of
ones personal life. and in that sense
Kate Field certainly had home. and
one from which she dispensed grace
full and even lavish hospitality.
For many years she had large and
very beautiful suite of rooms in New
York, where with her piano, her books.
pictures and interesting souvenirs of
travel, she made charming social CEN
ter; and when, in the autumn of 1889,
she transferred this to Washington,
she still further, in point of space, en-
larged her suite of rooms.
"She always gave delightful little
dinners and had guests and friends
constantly about her Kate Field was
an ideal hostess. Entertaining was
with her fine art, and she was always
a brilliant figure in social life.
ITO her generosity" Miss Whiting
went on, there was no limit. She had
two relatives on her fathers side, two
delicate women, living in a distant part
of the country, whom she largely sup
ported. She aided many others, and,
beside, she had loaned money too, in
considerable sums, that has not as yet
been repaid"
did she sink fortune in her news
paper?"
mo. l think not; though l fancy
there might be no swifter way for run
ming a few millions through a sieve
than to found newspaper. But l
think her Washington made it's ex-
penses.
Her money was absorbed in these
other ways have mentioned, although
the estate she has left is sufficient
enough"
'SWill her body be brought here for
burial?"
81 think not. Miss Field was a cos
mopolitan. She belonged to the world.
'In Hawaii, where she had gone on a
most important work. she had made
hosts of warm, devoted friends. Her
sudden death brought out the most
touching and wonderful overflow of
love and gratitude on the part of the
people. The last services held over
the flower covered casket containing
her form were of supreme distinction
and beauty.
"She was borne to the vault of a
friend with almost royal honors. The
casket, followed by representatives of
our government and foreign potenta-
ties was draped in the stars and
stripes-fit emblem for one with whom
patriotism was passion-and the trib-
utes paid were very impressive.
1T is the wish of the people to whom
she gave her last noble and devoted
service, that her grave shall be there,
and to this her cousin, Mr.. Riddle, has
consented. Here were the scenes of
that remarkable closing chapter of her
life, and here a suitable memorial will
mark. the spot which must ever be a
shrine of pilgrimage.
"Once in speaking to her of the
graves of her father and mother at Mt.
Auburn, she replied to me: I never
associate my friends in the least with
that spot. A grave means little to me-
Indeed continued Miss Whiting,
4 never knew any one to SO entirely
transfer all thought of the dead to the
new life on which they enter as did
Miss Field"
''Is it true that you are going out to
Honolulu"
81 think there is no doubt of it, re-
piled Miss Whiting. Il have returned
from Europe in midsummer that | may
the sooner make this sad pilgrimage
to meet the friends who were with her
in her last days and to add my lilies
of remembrance to the flowers with
which her grave is kept constantly
covered.
Il am only waiting now for some
details of arrangement under the adj
vice of Mr.. Riddle"