The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-02-13

Efnngham- Ine Iu-
neral service had been held in obedi-
ence to Barton's request. Gordon Har-
riS, Williams and n small group or
newspaper men had come up to the
rooms. Falmouth read a simple serv-
ice. and he and Gordon and Harris and
Williams afterward went out to the
cemetery. When it was all over, Cor
don, in accordance with his friends
wishes. came back TO the rooms Bar
toms will left most of his personal ef-
fects to his friend The furniture and
books he gave to Hope House A small
SUN of money WAS divided among
few of the Colorado people who had
been helped by Barton and We're still
in need.
After Gordon had attended to these
simple details. his heart still burning
over the events that had become his
tory after the fire. he ut last came to
Barton's desk and the disposal of its
contents. There was almost no cor
respondence \ simple formal note ad-
dressed to Miss Andrews asked her
to accept the furniture. pictures and
books and use them in whatever way
seemed best to her. Any stranger
might have,written it. AS Gordon read
| the cold, formal statement he said to
himself, ''She will never know-l sup
pose it's all right-but oh, David. to
| think Of dy1ng or hunger"
One of the letters from Mrs. Effing-
ham had been opened. 1t was dated
eight days earlier than the other. which
had come to Barton ON the day of his
death, and still remained unopened.
1 The first letter was written in a fine
close style, but remarkably legible and
free from wave -ng or uncertain end.
ings.
Mr.. David Barton:
My Dear Sir-The promise 1 made tr
| your friend Mr.. Gordon that l would
promise 1 lake pleasure in fulfilling here
| with
My grandson has recovered his health
| to a large degree, but the physicians say
he must remain in this climate or he vii
be in danger of collapse This is a ois-
| appointment to me personally. as / haC
hoped to take him back with me to Sa-
lem The Lord and sometimes the physi
| clans know better than We do, and 4 an
resigned to the Lords will anyhow anC
to the doctors unless this is schem,
on their part to make something out o
my grandson's case 1 shall stay here un
til find out
Mr.. Barton, sir. words of mine canno
say to you the deep gratitude 1 feel fol
the great kindness you showed my poo
wandering grandson When you stOppeC
him that night and put your hand on hi
shoulder and said loving word to him
you saved him from something wors
than death of the body. He was on tn
point Of cursing God and dying The Lor'
bless you. sir, and give you peace
Now, realize. of course. that you ar
. not one to desire reward other than tina
which comes to every brave soul that doe
its duty. but am rich old woman. wit
no relatives except this boy out here. an
would count 1t great honor to be priv
legged to do something with portion o
my means in some way that you nigh
| suggest In city like yours there are. o
course. very many causes that appeal {
your humanity. What makes your hear
ache the hardest? Let me know where
few thousand dollars will do the mos
good 1 have looked into your face. sil
| though you never saw mine. and l kno'
full well that the time here with you
brief Thank God. sir. IL has been brav'
When you and 1 meet on the other sid
the fifty and five odd years difference
our lives will not be any gulf between u
for my heart has never grown old. and
noble friends who have made life wort
while The captain will be glad to met
| you Tell him 1 have not forgotten no
he looks and hope he has not change
| overmuchi l am. sir. with great respe'
and gratitude. faithfully yours.
MRS. CAPT. GEORGE EFFINGHAM-
The allusion to the captain mad
Gordon smile a little. But his face r
gained its usual quiet seriousness {
he took up the second letter and slov
ly opened and read it.
Mr.. David Bafton:
Ny Dear Friend-I hasten at once
answer your reply to my letter. fo- yo'
words assure me that the days are fe
| for you on the earth God grant ~
peace sir both of mind and spirit.
What you say about your friend NJ
| Gordon and the work he is doing interes
me exceedingly. / have read little abo
Miss Andrews, and l believe in what 81
is doing. If either she or Mr.. Gordon W
write me stating the immediate needs
the settlement. L will send somethin
The only condition 1 make Is a reque
that my name be not used anywhere