Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-05-02

neral service had been held in obedi-
sence to Bartons request. Gordon, Har-
sris, Williams and small group of
newspaper men had come up to the
stoOms. Falmouth read a simple serv-
lice, 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
I toms will left most Of his personal ef-
fects to his friend. The furniture and
books he gave to Hope House. A small
sum of money was divided among
few of the Colorado people who had
been helped by Barton and were still
in need.
After Gordon had attended to these
ssimple details. his heart still burning
over the events that had become his
tory after the fire, he at last came to
Barton's desk and the disposal Of it's
contents. There was almost no cor
efespondence. A simple formal note ad-
dressed to Miss Andrews asked her
to accept the furniture, pictures and
sbooks and use them in whatever way
might have written it. AS Gordon read
the cold formal statement he said to
himself. "She will never know-I sup
pose it's all right-but oh, David, to
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 fi,1t letter was written in fine,
CLOSE style, but remarkably legible and
free from wavering or uncertain end
-1ngs.
Mr. David Barton:
My Dear Sir-The promise 1 made to
your friend Mr.. Gordon that 1 would
write you after seeing my grandson is a
promise take 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 will
be in danger of a collapse. This is dis
appointment to me personally, as had
hoped to take him back with me to Sa-
Hem. The Lord and sometimes the physi-
~cians know better than we do, and 1 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. 1 shall stay here I'M
til find out.
Mr.. Barton, sir, words Of mine cannot
SAY to you the deep gratitude I 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, I realize, of course, that you are
not one to desire reward other than that
which comes to every brave soul that does
its duty, but am rich old woman, with
no relatives except this boy out here, and
i would count it a great honor to be privi-
legged to do something with 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 humanity. What makes your heart
ache the hardest? Let me know where a
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 tho time here with you is
brief Thank God, sir, 1t has been brave.
When you "and~I meet on fthe 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 I
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 T have not forgotten how
he looks and hope he has not changed
oVermuch! / am. sir. with great respect
and gratitude. faithfully yours.
MRS. CAPT. GEORGE EFFINGHAM.
The allusion to the captain made
Gordon smile q little. But his face re-
gained its usual quiet seriousness as
he took up the second letter and slow
" opened and read it.
Mr.. David Barton:
my Dear Friend-I hasten at once to
answer your reply to my letter; tor your
words, assure mo that tho dAys ars few
Tor you ON the earth. >~Godt grant you
peaee, j. sir; both OF mind and spirit
- What You say about yenr fraends NJ.
Gordon and the work he is doing interests
ms e1ceedingly. have read Z, little shout
Il Mrs sAndrews, and Il believe In what she
fssdoinx.s 81 either sshei 81 NJ Gordon Yin
4. V1l.rite me stating the immediate needs Of
fha- settlement I viii send eQm&thing.