The morning news., 1898-10-15

before he breathed his last he asked to
be raised up that he might get more air.
His wife was buried in the Dominican
habit, and soon after her death he caused
a similar robe-marked In like manner-to
be prepared for himself Lying upon His
bier clad in this magnificent white serge
garment, his silvery hair framing his pure,
pale face, he was beautiful, indeed. to
look upon
OF his conversion to Romanism Col.
johnston once said to me: Il am Of an
exceedingly melancholy temperament, and
IN the confessional l found a comfort and
relief which failed to obtain elsewhere
FOR some Years he was a member of the
university Club, composed of the most
prominent and cultured men In Baltimore,
ana ms saddest mornings were those inn
medlately succeeding these reunions.
Il am reminded by them" he said, of
the saying of an eminent saint, "A merry
evening makes a melancholy morning"
The character of his writing seemed
sometimes to give him concern, and he
would say: Il am getting old. I must
devote myself to more serious undertake
in2s."
He shrank from assuming before the
pubic anything resembling the role of a
buffoon and was always depressed in view
of one of his humorous readings. on one
of these occasions he suddenly exclaimed.
Even clown, If he does his best, will
receive his reward"
His rendition of his own stories made
new things of them. and l can still hear
the tone in which he disclaimed the bare
suggestion of having been taught elocu-
tion.
Have I ever been taught elocution." he
said, repeating the question that was put
to him.
mol That would have ruined every
thing. 1t utterly destroys individuality"
To think like wise men, but talk like
the common people, was ATistotle's rule
for great leaders, and Col Johnston never
abandoned the homely vernacuar of Mid
die Georgia, much of which. he declared,
was a relic of English as spoken three
and four centuries ago.
My wife says to me sometimes" he
would say, laughing over the recollection
OF 1t, Col Johnston, don't talk so. Peo-
pie VIII think you are not educated IL you
do D."
In his tongue was the law of kindness,
and no uncharitable criticism ever escaped
him. He had too keen a sense of humor.
however not TO enjoy saying of Mark
Twain in regard to a certain prominent
literary contemporaries great church
goer and Sunday school man--who eschew-
ed tobacco and stimulants and was, with
all, singularly unbeloved.
Clemens" the colonel said 60 is the
most exemplary fellow I know. 1t is
strange he hasn't more friends"
Alas, poor -" Mark replied, ''he
hasn't a redeeming vice"
l was sitting at the window one cold
searching Sunday afternoon In the early
spring, when l saw Col Johnston ap-
preaching, and ran out to meet him. He
had been looking for the house, he said
had rang a dozen or more bells, and. de-
spairing of finding II, was going home
He sank into a chair speechess from ex-
haustion. and we brought him some res
toratives In a little while he revived.
and was soon laughing and talking in his
usual charming manner He complained
of great weakness, however, and of utter
loss of appetite, and we noted with sor-
row his wasted form and frequent, omi-
nous cough.
AS we stood on the step watching him
as he made his way down the street, he
turned and smiled back at us, saying:
Goodbye, children" Soon after that we
heard of his Illness. That was the last
time we ever saw him.
Gilberta S. Whittle