News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-03-18

49, t0dh gLtStentRg eyes.
Ohm GORDON wa
rvwn, reading the tw,
" letters that DaviC
Barton had received
~aslzEzz> from the old lady
IEss....--.------- Mrs. Captain Georg
bingham. The fu
neral service had been held in Obedi
ence to Barton's request. Gordon, HaT
ris, Williams and a small group o
newspaper men had come up to TIL
rooms. Falmouth read a simple sery
ice, and he and Gordon and Harris anC
Williams afterward went out to tb,
cemetery. When it was all over, Cor
don, in accordance with his friend
wishes, came back to the rooms. Bar
tons will left most of his personal ef
fects to his friend. The furniture anC
books he gave to Hope House. A small
sum of money was divided among {
few OF the Colorado people who haC
been helped by Barton and We're still
in need
After Gordon had attended to theso
simple details, his heart still BURNING
over the events that had become his
tory after the fire, he at last came t
Barton's desk and the disposal Of it
contents. There was almost no cor
respondence. A simple formal note ad
dressed to Miss Andrews asked he
to accept the furniture, pictures ans
books and use them in whatever way
seemed best to her. Any stranger
might have written it. as Gordon rea(
the cold, formal statement he said t
himself. "She will never know-l sup
pose it's all right-but oh, David, tc
think of dying OF hunger"
One of the letters from Mrs. Efing.
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
The first letter was written in fine,
close style, but remarkably legible and
free from wavering or uncertain end
ings.
Mr.. David Barton:
My Dear Sir-The promise I made to
your friend Mr.. Gordon that l would
write you after seeing my grandson is d
promise l take pleasure in fulfilling here
with.
My grandson has recovered his health
to large degree, but the physicians say
he must remain in this climate or he will
be in danger of collapse. This is a dis
appointment to me personally, as | had
RI al with tn ca,
lem. The Lord and sometimes the physi-
clans know better than we do, and | am
resigned to the Lords will anyhow and
to the doctors unless this is a scheme
on their part to make something out of
my grandsons case. l shall stay here un-
til l find out.
Mr.. Barton, sir, words of mine cannot
say TO you the deep gratitude L feel for
the great kindness you showed my poor
wandering grandson. When you stopped
him that night and put your hand on his
shoulder and said a loving word to him,
you saved him from something worse
than death of the body. He was on the
point of cursing God and dying The Lord
bless you, sir, and give you peace.
Now, l realize, of course, that you are
not one to desire reward other than that
which comes to every brave soul that does
it's duty, but l am a rich Old woman, with
no relatives except this boy out here and
| would count it a great honor to be privi-
legged to do something with a portion Of
my means in some way that you might
suggest In a city like yours there are of
course, very many causes that appeal TO
your manity. What makes your heart
ache the hardest? Let me know where
few thousand dollars will do the most
good. | have looked into your face, sir
though you never saw mine and | know
full we'll that the time here with you is
brief. Thank God, sir, it has been brave
When you and | meet on the other side,
the fifty and five odd years difference in
our lives will not be any gulf between us,
FOR my heart has never grown old, and |
shall be rejoiced to count you among the
noble friends who have made life worth
while. The captain will be glad to meet
you. Tell him 1 have not forgotten how
ne looks and hope he has not changed
)vermuch! l am, sir, with great respect
and gratitude faithfully yours,
MRS CAPT. GEORGE EFFINGHAM.
The allusion to the captain made
Gordon smile little But his face re-
gained its usual quiet seriousness as
ne took up the second letter and slow
y opened and read it.
Mr.. David Barton:
My Dear Friend-I hasten at once to
answer your reply to my letter, for your
words assure me that the days are few
or you on the earth. God grant you
,eace, sir both of mind and spirit.
What you say about your friend Mr.
Gordon and the work he is doing interests
ne exceedingly. l have read a little about
Mss Andrews, and / believe in what she
s doing. If either she or Mr.. Gordon will
write me stating the immediate needs of
he settlement, | will send something
The only condition l make is a request
hat my name be not used anywhere in
connection with the gift. | don't want to
lee my name over a doorway, THE Mrs.
captain George bingham Retreat or
The Mrs Captain George Efhngham
free Reading Room and Library" Aside
rom that / don't care what is done with
he money; only | want to know how
much will do something real well. l like
he idea of putting it into something that
will help children. Why on earth any
me wants to live in city if he can live
anywhere else Is puzzle to me, but after
hey once get there | suppose we can't
SIX too many questions about it; at
east asking the questions will not relieve
he situation that has already been made.
/ am sure the captain will be pleased
With the use made of his money. If he
SKIS you any questions about it. tell him
have saved enough to bury my poor old