Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1901-11-02

after he was stricken down by the as
| sassin the president was interested in
the reception his speech at the Pan
When the first agony of his wounds was over,
he sent for his faithful secretary. Mr.. Cortelyou
entered the room and stood beside the stricken
chief.
sTt's mighty lonesome in here said the presi-
dent.
ST know it isl
The presidents eyes frightened, and the old
familiar wrinkles appeared in his face as he turn
ed eagerly to his assistant.
'tHow did they like my speech'' he asked
ut is regarded one Of the greatest you have
ever made and has attracted more attention than
anything you have said for years.
The president smiled and looked earnestly into
Mr.. Cortelyous eyes.
"How did they like it abroad?''
cit has attracted considerable attention abroad,
and everywhere the comment is favorable
isn't that goodY' And he spoke no more of
things political having heard the echo of his cry
for peace.
In the afternoon Of his last day on earth the
president began to realize that his life~was slip
ping away and that the efforts of science could
not save him. He asked Dr. Rixey to bring the
surgeons in. One by one the surgeons entered and
approached the bedside. When they were gather
ed about him, the president opened his eyes and
said:
have prayer
The dying man crossed his hands on his breast
and half closed his eyes, There was a beautiful
smile on his countenance. The surgeons bowed
their heads Tears streamed from the eyes of the
white clad nurses on either side of the bed. The
yellow radiance Of the sun shone softly in the
room.
"Our Father, which art in heaven" said the
president in clear, steady voice.
The lips of the surgeons moved.
'Hallowed be thy Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
The sobbing of a nurse disturbed the still air.
The president opened his eyes and closed them
again.
"Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven"
long sigh. The sands Of life were running
swiftly. The sunlight died out and raindrops
dashed against the windows.
s:Give US this day our daily bread and forgive
US our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead
not into temptation, but deliver US from evil.
Another silence. The surgeons looked at the
dying face and the tremblingSlips.
''For thine is the kingdom, the power and the
glory, forever. Ameni"
''Ament' whispered the surgeons
Outside an army of newspaper writers moved
silently about the tents of the telegraph operators
and the bayonets of the sentries pacing slowly on
all sides glittered in the afternoon light. Beyond
the clear spaces Of roped off streets were the
awed crowds Even the policemen spoke in hush.
ed voices. AS the surgeons or cabinet officers or
other friends Of the dying president appeared they
were ingUlfed by the eager seekers for news 4
Vice President Roosevelt, he who was soon to
wear the awful mantle OF authority, was sum-
moned from his distant hunting camp in the
Tender words Of sympathy from the
rulers of all nations flashing over the wires.
Darkness descended on the scene The president
was conscious again. He asked tor his wife.
Presently she came to him, leaning feebly on the
arm of Mr. Cortelyou. As she reached the side
of her husband and lover who had read to her
every day at twilight for years from the Bible,
she sank into chair, and, leaning her frai form
over the white counterpane, she took his hands
in hers and kissed them. There was group OF
friends in the room, and they drew away from the
sacred spectacle. The light of the two candles be-
hind the screen reflected family on the white
ceiling and tinted walls. It sparkled on the we'd
ding ring.
The presidents eyes were closed. His breath
came slowly. AS he felt the touch Of his wifes
lips he smiled. It was to be their last meeting.
"Goodby! Goodby, alli''
Mrs. Mckinley gazed into the white face Of the |
martyr and struggled for strength to bear it,
ut is Gods way. His will, not ours, be done.''
The president turned his face slightly toward |
iAS VIE. n tVoh Vi Anehdpie 1--we snoHe Ii luz /
laggard features. She held his hands as child |
filings to its mother. The ticking Of the clock in
he next room could be heard. Once more the |
president spoke
Nearer, my God-to-thee''--
His soul was en- his lips His face was radiant. 4
"E'en though it be cross
There was moment Of utter silence.
'That has been my inextinguishable prayer"
His voice was almost inaudible.
sit is--Cod,s-way."
1t was the last thought and the last word of the |
gentle president.
As the night wore on the signs Of life grew |
ainter. One by one the members Of the cabinet |
he relatives and the intimate friends of the dying
statesman were brought into the room by Mr.. |
oortelyou. One by one they stood at the bed |
ide and took farewell of the still form-grave
enators, old schoolinates. young men who had |