The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-05-14
LEADS AA NORTH CAROLINA DADlES I'M NEWS AND CIRCULATION.

be hard to find, laughingy dubbed
him "Grandpa." because of his striking
resemblance to his illustrious grand
father.
This name clung to him through life,
and whenever used by one Of his friends,
caused his face to light up with the
sweetest of smiles; indeed, to this, and
every other manifestation of affection:
his tender, loving heart responded with
the greatest eagerness.
Framed in one of natures happy
moods, his fine figure, erect carriage
1.-THE, supple limbs would Indicate long
life; and but for his terrible head trou-
BILE. his physical condition was good.
Mr.. Gatling did not remember when
he learned to love his mother, or when
he was taught to say "Our Farvey's
Payer" as his childish lips were wont
to designate our Lords Prayer, neither
was he ever conscious of the time when
he was free from physical suffering.
When he was scarcely three years of age
this trouble began, and the parOXySms Of
pain would frequently last for more than
forty eight hours. AS he grew older,
they increased in frequency, intensity
and Duration; getting no relief here, he
sought it in the sanitariums and hospi-
tails North, putting himself under the
most skilled physicians the country af
forded; exceedingly painful and trying
surgical operations were more than once
performed upon his head, but without
any material benefit.
The following extract from a letter
just received speaks for him: "RoDert
was under my professional care both
times he was in Danvlle. so we had
the opportunity to become quite well
acquainted. and I think he let me under
stand him better than he did most peo-
pie, perhaps; and thus l learned to know
and thoroughly respect his beautiful
character, one Of unusual consideration,
gentleness, patient endurance, even III
time of extreme pain, and the soul OF
honor in all he deemed right. These
qualities commanded the respect of
everyone he met at the sanitarium.
We say .'He was this" Is it not more
true to say .He is this?" The suffer
ing body was his, but it is not his now,
for he himself is the same Robert today
in that life he has so recently entered
as he was in the day in this life. l
can not think of any friend in the other
life other than present tense people.
Surroundings have changed, not they.
What and where that life may be. no
one has told us, but we believe it is in
the Fathers love and care, hence 1T
must be well with our friends. So let
us look out and from ourselves and our
sorrow, to Robert. who now is free in
deed. and rejoice with him and for him
in this.
Robert was, in my opinion, very i'll;
a grave cause only could give rise to that
constant. severe pain which SO often
amounted to intense agony. battling
every effort to obtain relief. There comes
a point in physical suffering where the
very last atom of strength is exhausted
in endurance, and then the natural
thing to do is to step out and away: so
| was not surprised to learn that Robert
had done this.
In fact, many times when l was using
every measure in my power to give the
poor hoy relief, and was made fairly
heartsick at my failure, | would men
tally say, Il never could or would stand
such suffering" In fact, none of us
would for that matter, nor would we do
a thing meriting condemnation, either.
recognizing this, and has only sympathy
for the poor sufferer, and gladness that
he is free from the terrible, bodily tor
ture.
During all these years of agony no
complaint ever passed his lips, no mur-
murings were ever heard. Very rarely,
when overcome by his intense suffering,
he would speak in d cross, fretful tone;
but as soon as he was himself again, he
would, in the most loving manner, make
the amende honorable.
The writer has been thrown more or
less intimately with young people for
more than thirty years, and can truth
| fully say he never came in contact with
a sweeter disposition, the soul OF honor.
accomplishing, unselfish, thoughtful, II
was impossible to know him and not TO
| love him.
Last summer he was induced to try
| psychological therapeutics, to find only
! the same results
| In January he went to Morganton to
| try the effects of complete change OF
| climate and environment, together with
| the aid of the physician in charge; this,
| as all other remedies had done, proved
| unayailing: his agony becoming more
| and more unbearable, is it any wonder
| he lost hope?
( May we not believe he is enjoying the
rest vouchsafed to the weary. through
| our God whose Almighty power is man
/ ifested chiefly in showing mercy! l dc
| not doubt it.
/ Just as / am. though tossed about;
With many conflict, many DOUBT
Fighting and fears, within and without
| o Lamb of God, come
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