Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-14
JOHN BURROUGHS THE SILENT.
Presidents Companion Never Talks for
the Sake Of Being Sociable.
From the Chicago News.

From the Chicago News.
John Burroughs. the poet-naturalist, who
is accompanying the President on his west
ern trip, holds the American championship
for taciturnity. He never talks merely to
be saying something or to be agreeable.
When the conversational muse is with him
he is the best company imaginable. but
when his inspiration has taken its flight
there Is about much company in John
Burroughs as there Is in deaf and dumb
person. He pays no more attention to re-
marks addressed to him than If he did not
hear them.
Those who know Of the remarkable devel
opment Of this trait in the Presidents
travelling companion fear that Mr.. Roose-
velt who Is prone to judge men by their
conversational powers, will experience some
lonesome times after he and Burroughs
shut themselves out from civilization In
the Yellowstone Park.
One Of the Presidents intimates who also
knows Burroughs well says there is a wide
difference in the way these two notables
commune with nature The President Is
the same in the mountain Businesses as he
Is in the White House. He likes to give
voice-and loud voice at that-to his de-
light and admiration. Burroughs spends
his life in silent enjoyment. and it is said
that he greatly dislikes any effort to change
his mode.
AS an instance of his remarkable ability
to keep his mouth shut. 1t Is related that
an aggressive magazine editor went to visit
Burroughs at his hermit retreat In the Adj
rondacks few months ago. He was well
acquainted with the naturalist, having had
a number Of business transactions with
him. Burroughs met the literary man at
the door of his hut and offered a warm
welcome. Then he took him on ten-mile
tramp up and down the hills. When they
returned to the cottage he shook hands
warmly with the visitor and said goodbye
and declared that he was the most enter
tanning guest he had had for long time.
Not word had been spoken during the
ten-mile walk and the visit was an abso-
lutte failure, from the editors point Of view,
but he did not possess the ability to break
through the cloak Of silence with watch
Burroughs had enveloped himself.
Burroughs lived in Washington forty
years ago He was then an army nurse.
At that time Walt Whitman was employed
in the Treasury Department. and these two
made the acquaintance of street car con-
ductor, whose first name was Mike. The
three roOmed together in a very humble
place, where the rent matched the endur-
ance Of their pocket books. Mike, judged
by the worlds standard. was the best off,
for each month he received 500 In the de-
preciated paper money of the time for his
services to the tramway company. He still
occupies this enviable position, for he is
now the head baggage master at one of the
important stations on the Pennsylvania
railroad.
Burroughs secured little patch Of land
near the capital. where the trio made re-
treat, and this finally became so attractive
to Burroughs that he gave up his govern
ment position. There he tended to the COW,
raised vegetables, watched the trees grow
and studied the bugs and birds which were
always welcome to his patch. Human be-
ings were not invited there. They annoyed
the things Burroughs loved best. His only
human acquaintance were Whitman and
Mike. 1t is quite likely that he would not
have tolerated them after he became en-
crossed in his nature studies had they been
laxative but Whitman could sit still and
look at the garden for hours at time,
while the car conductor could always re-
member not to rub the naturalist the wrong
way and keep as silent as his companions.
When Washington grew out to the retreat
Burroughs gave up his place. He is not
happy in the noise and hustle of civiliza
ton He SAYS he must have quiet.