The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-24

MS death ne had achieved a reputa-
tion worthy of emulatiom trpon his
return from the Philippine trip above
referred To he cast about for some
thing to do.
In South Africa,
The situation in South Africa had
attracted his attention and it was his
own impulse that leu him to volun-
teer To go to Pretoria to replace Con-
SUI Macrum. IT was realized here that
Pretoria would be beseiged and that
an official status would be little pro-
lection against this phase of war.
Then the expenses of livelihood In
Pretoria We're far in excess of the
salary OF the consulate. so that ne
who took the place served his coun-
try at a personal loss. These consid-
eratons did not deter young Hay and
he went forward to his post and there
succeeded in dschargng as n simple
consul diplomatic duties requiring the
exercise of the greatest tact and good
judgment.
The Beers received him with sus-
picion. knowing of his sometime resi-
dcnce in England. when his father was
| ambassador at London. But this he
soon dispelled, and in the end the
Beers learned to trust him and they
showed their gratitude for the many
kindly offices young Hay performed for
their sick and wounded comrades on
the other sides of the lines. on the
| other hand. the british prisoners who
filled the Boer places of detention in
the early stages of the war owed many
necessities and many little l,ixuries to
the American consul. Fever was epi-
Il -.
of the consulate was eXhausting. but
not until the wave of war had pa sSed
over the place and the city was again
safe, did Mr.. Hay feel that he could
leave his post. Long before he actual
ly started away from Pretoria, he had
received permission from the state de-
partment to return to the United
States OH leave of absence.
Expensive Employment.
He left South Africa last November
and returned to the United States by
way of London. Soon after reaching
Washington. he rendered his resigna-
ton as consul at Pretoria. 1t had
been for him an expensive employ
ment. In a year he had spent his
fathers salary and his own. or course,
much of this disbursement was in the
way of private charity, the calls of
which in the siege and afterwards
We're simply irresistible. Since his
resignation, Mr.. Hay had entered into
no regular employment. though he had
devoted himself in part to assisting
in the conduct of his ia ther's personal
business.
However, by the irony of fate, there
had just come to him one of those
golden opportunities that he had
seized upon gratefully and was about
To apply himself to 1t when his un-
toward ED came. 1t had been the
prOudest recollection of John Hays
| life that he had served Abraham Lin
coin as his assistant private secretary.
So it was to be the lot of Adelbert
to serve William Mckinley in like
capacity. lie had been offered and
had accepted the position of assistant
secretary to the president, a place
now held by Major Pruden. The lat
ter. after many years service at the
white house. has been made a pay
master in the United States army.
He was under orders to report to the
paymaster general for service July
next, when Mr.. Hay was to have sue
ceeded him.
w me me- utdl Is severe SllOth 10
his friends, those who knew young Mr..
Hay Intimately from his college days
were quite able to comprehend the cir
cumstanceS of the fatal accident. 1t
is said to have been not at all un-
usual for him to stand an hour or
so at his bedroom window at night,
smoking while engaged in meditation.
In fact this is said to have been al
| most a habit with him. and this in
connection with the further fact that
he had suffered at more or less fire.
uuent intervals from attacks of Ner-
tigo, makes the manner of his taking
off easy for his intimate friends to
understand.