The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-14
A pnLlGHTFuL DEATH.
In Freezing to Dcnth One sinks IntG
Painless sleep.

iututcss steep.
A distinguished group OF gentlemen met
by chance In palace car between New
York and Washington recently--a scientist
connected with tho Smithsonian Institution
at Washington. a famous lawyer OF New
York. physician of st. Louis a Cambridge
professor aud John Philip Sousa the brill
liant composer and director OF Sousa's
band. The scientist. professor and ply.
stefan had been attending scientists'
meeting in New York. the lawyer was going
to argue case before the supreme court
at Washington and Sousa was on his way
TO Washington to visit his mother Just
after his return from Europe.
1t was a rare coterie Of men, and nat
uraily topics OF highest character were
taken up and discussed, one beng tho
cumulative effects OF climate and zone upon
races. The physician maintained that IONA
and It's cohcomitants had more direct In
fluentc upon tho development OF race than
any other single cause. while tho scicntist
cessory. to which races conform, ana that
blood and inbreedng alone produce race
and stamp IL with distinctive characterize
tics and temperament This led on to
| longevity Of races, death by climatic In
fiuunce. ETC., when John Philip S0usa told
| this story: 9
Death by freezing is not painful. On
the contrary, It's approach Is u delightful
unconccrn. have experienced the seusa-
tion up to point wherein another half
hour. or possibly less time. would have carr
ried me beyond possible revivication. {
was a hoy then, growing up In my uativs
Washington, and had already begun my
musical career with my violin. Hours wore
given each day to study and practice. at
least one of which was with my old mas
ter who is now dead. A social frnction OF
unusual Importance was to be given at
Alexandria. Va. and the family giving It
insisted that l should contribute to the
evenings enjoyment by playing. Tho
company was distinguished but three days
tutelage by my old master upon Do
Berot fantastic fitted me for the sur9gss
event and ! ac1iir.c1 myself with SUCCESS
| The afiair did not ond until long after mid
night. and did not reach Washington un-
| I'll O'Clock in the morning. The tcmperA-
iure had fallen rapidly; 1t was bitterly cold,
far below zero waB lightly clad, and A.
no cabs were available. started out To
| walk home. more than a mile away, carry
ing my violin. At the outset suffered In
| tensoly from the cold. but, hurrying on,
| soon lost the sense Of PAIN then foll0Weo
degree OF comfort and at length ntter
unconcern. Passing over Cspitol hill g|
| feeling of ecstasy stole over ;!ie and--tf !
could only sleep a moment! tt
Il stole along the great capitol to an
angle and there sank down. l seemed
| snifused with warmth. l was never In all
| my life In such state OF supreme ecstasy.
| saw visions OF tho brilliant drawing
rooms had inst left. the beautiful people,
heard strains OF delicious music. and all
the people were whirllng In the dance.
How beautiful 1t all was! How bright the
lights and warm the air and fragrance
| everywhere. Tho music seemed to come
from amidst groves Of tropical trees and
banks OF flowers. and there were pillows
OF beautiful beings everywhere. could
sleep on forever!
Put night watch had seen mo disap-
pear behind the angle OF the capitol wing
and after u time became alarmed and Get
out to find me- was unconscious. He
carried me bodily to pharmacist two
squares away and medical aid came mona!
| too soon ~;
THE moments Of sinking into that sleep|
OF death were the most delightful have
:, ever known. The final awakening was the
most vivid inferno that shall ever knowl'y