The San Francisco call., 1897-02-28

Yeranda equipped with pretty hammocks and
the most inviting of wicker-ehairs. brosd
open door, and it seemed TO be ever open, lead.
ing into a square hall, which occupied the
very center of the house. Doors opened from
this hall into the dining-room, paror and
library, and it was a library, too. Such pro-
fusion of books!
Books, books everywhere, and Just such
books as one would care TO read. The rarest
gems OF poetry and prose in German, French
and English. Then came the CHEEKY dining
room, with its hosDitable osken table, and
sideboard garnished with quaint pieces of the
old, old family plate. And what brilliant din
ners that dear old room has seenl Here were
frequently assembled the most noted writer's,
wits and artists of this generation. Here re-
Partee and bright sayings flashed forth like
sparks from an overcharged galvanic ma
chine. No bit of scandal was ever discussed
al this cheerful board, and its unwritten
motto might bear emulation in every home:
"Gossiping tongues come not here"
Mr.. Burners religious training came to q
full stop early in life. His father being of the
Episcopal faith intended to train his son to
that belief. His mother was of old Puritani-
cal New England stock and was q strict Uni
tartan. She was Tuckerman OF Boston. Nat
urally discussion arose as TO which faith the
boy should inherit The father, being q
sensible man, compromised by proposing to
when he should have arrived at the age of
discretion. The result was that he rejected
both and formulated one of his own. very
simple creed, indeed. the Golden Rule, which
he considered the very keystone of all re-
ligious architecture, and never man came
nearer living up to the very letter of his
faith than did the subject of this sketch.
Limited space prevents my giving a very
definite idea OF Mr.. Burners attempts to re-
lieVe suffering humanity. This one instance
will suffice to explain some of Mr.. Burners
local charity WORK. The local physician told
the writer that Mr.. Bunner made this request
ten years ago.
Doctor, see to it that no man. woman or
child within the range of your practice wants
for attendance, medicine, food or necessary
clothing. Send all bills to me-"
"You may be sure" said the doctor, "calls
have been frequent, but never was one of
these drafts dishonored. All were promptly
paid upon presentation. God bless mis- gem
erous soul"
have mentioned that the door of this
happy home was ever open. And so it was TO
all friends and neighbors. Likewise a spacious
sideboard, which was provisioned like a ship
for q long cruise with every sort of cheering
refreshment including cigars. pipes, tobaccos,
ETC. And here you were expected to regale
yourself in the absence of the host There
was but one stipulation. Mr.. Bunner had de-
yeloped the most decided dislike for politics,
and to prevent any mention of this subject he
mad written the following lines and posted
them in a conspicuous place:
To those who would in quiet dw ell
Political brawls Simply hell.
Smoke your pipe and drink your drink,
But bear in mind your mouth can't think.
These lines are from memory, so the writer
asks forgiveness if they are misquoted
There was nothing terrible about this good
mans death. All was peaceful and calm as
his dearest friends could have wished. was
called to his bedside few hours before the
end and listened to q few simple requests
And most rational they were. Mrs. Bunner
was arranging little ornaments about the
room when he called to her:
"Alice, am 1 alone?"
"Why, no. dear; I am here" she answered.
"Of course, you are, darling. What silly
question to ask"
An amused smile oyerspread his face that
seemed to say:
"How could I ask that loving little woman
such question: The eyes slowly closed as If
for quiet slumber.
This was the end