The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-09-19

one. His eyes were vacant. He passed
through the throng and seated himself
behind Governor Odell. sinking far
down into his chair and resting his
head upon his hand. During all the
service that followed he did not stir.
Just before IL President Roosevelt
entered, coming into the room from
the rear through the library. After
passing into the hall he had made his
way around through the sitting room
behind into the library. There was an
instantaneous movement In the room
- the President appeared.
Every one rose and all eyes were
turned toward the President. He
moved forward again with the tide Of
the procession to his place at the head
Of the line Of cabinet oficsrs. He held
himself erect. his left hand carrying
his silk hat Those who were coming
toward him fell back on either side
to let him pass. He paused once or
twice to shake hands silently, but
there was no smile to accompany his
greetings. He, too, like the man deep
down in his seat against the wall,
who had forgotten to rise when the
President Of the United States entered,
seemed to be restraining great grief.
When President Roosevelt reached the
head OF the line Of cabinet oficers he
kept his face away from the casket.
The infantryman guarding the dead
stood before him rigid as statue. Al
though the commander-in-chief ap-
preached until he could have touched
him, the soldier did not salute.
Roosevelt Looks Upon the Dead Face.
The President appeared to be steel
ing himself for a look into the face
of him whose death had made him
the first ruler of the world. The ten.
sion in the room was great. Every
one seemed to be waiting. The minis
ter Of the gospel stood with the Holy
Book In his hand ready to begin. Per.
haps 1t might have been 60 seconds.
It seemed longer. Then the Presi.
dent turned and at the same time ad.
vanced step. He bowed his head
and looked upon the man whose bur.
den and responsibility he had taken
up. Long he gazed. standing immova-
BILE save for twitching Of the muscles
of the chin as he labored with heavy
breath to repress his emotion. At last
he stepped back.
Charles Edward Locke, Of the Della
ware Avenue M. e. Church, con-
Quoted the services. Out from the hall
there welled the beautiful words Of
Lead, Kindly Light" sung by quar-.
tette. 1t was President McKinley's
favorite hymn. Every one within the
sound OF the music knew 1t and half
OF those in the room put their faces
into their hands to hide their tears.
Comptroller Dawes leaned against
bookcase and wept. President Roose-
welt seemed to be swaying to and fro
a. II his footing were insecure.
When the singing ended the clergy
man read from the word Of the 18th
chapter Of Corinthians !. Again the
voices rose with the words of Nearer,
My God. to Thee" the very words
President Mckinley had repeated at
intervals OF consciousness during the
day OF. agony before he died. As the
music died away the pastor spoke
again. Let us pray" he said, and
every head fell upon its breast.
All present Joined in the Lords
Prayer as the minister repeated It.,
President Roosevelt's voice being audi
BILE at the back Of the room. The serv-
ices concluded with a simple benedic-
tion. The funeral director was about
to step forward to place the cover on
the casket. when suddenly there was a
movement behind Governor Odell. Sen.
ator Hanna, who had risen, saw that
the last opportunity to look into the
countenance of his dead friend had
come. Pressing forward, in an instant
he was at the side Of the casket and
bending over and looking down into It.
Almost two minutes passed, and then
he turned away and the coffin was
closed.