Omaha daily bee., 1906-08-12

n lSl EN- surrounding an eX-
traordinary experience of a
prominent Boston lawyer leads
10 the conjecture that our dear
est friends after their death
strive to assist us in our hopes
and 70 relieve our distress.
BY the seeming Intervention since his
death OF the late Or. Swan Moses Burnett.
Of Washington, d. c., who was the first
huA6and Of Frances Hodgson Burnett and
fatms of the original Little Lord Faun-
tleroy, Keepsake lost by Mr.. Edgar o.
Achorn, the Boston attorney. has been re-
turned to him.
The doctor and the lawyer urece lifelong
friends. and cherished an unusual COM
rsdeship. broken only by the Doctors
death last January. Shortly before Dr.
Burnett died Mr.. Achorn lost in Asheville
\. c., silver matchbox u gift from DE-
Burnett. Dr. Burnett died with knowledge
OF his friends loss, a fact which may have
significance with what followed To Mr.
Achorn the loss of the souvenir was much
intensified by the loss of the glver He
has been mystitied by its restora ton, for II
was handed to him without explanation by
stranger, believed to be a Hindoo. while
he sat oy the Nile bank contemplating
the ruins OF karnak. IN the ancient capital
OF Egypt.
How the matchbox got from North Caro-
Ina to Egypt, who the unannounced
oriental was how the finder knew the
loser-in fact, the entire remarkable oc-
currence-transcends the lawyers knOwl-
edge That the recovered matchbox is alb
solutely and beyond dispute the selfsame
souvenir that he lost in the woods at
Asheville MI Achorn Is positive. Beyond
that ne offers no testimony save a precise
description of his experience. To him the
mystery of the matchbox seems lnexpllc-
able, although psychical investigators and
adopts In occultism may gather from his
evidence additional data for their belief
That Mr.. AchoTn's experience will be Of
Wide interest may be assumed from the
various prominent affiliations OF both men,
DR.. Burnett aside from being Of world
wide prominence in his profession, having
been an eminent eye and ear specialist.
was man of deep culture and intellectual
attachments, with fondness for the fine
arts. He had occupied the chair of oph.
thalmology in the medical department OF
Georgetown University, was a former
president OF the Cosmos Club and was
president of the Washington Literary So
clety. As a student of Japanese work he
had collected one OF the finest private col.
lections Of Japanese art in America As a
bioliophile he collected many rare old vol.
umes, among which may be cited his gift
TO the Congressional Library of a complete
set of the first American edition OF Shakes.
peare.
He was thoroughly conversant and had
read much in Eastern religions, having
from philosophical standpoint. and to-
his intimates he had proclaimed himself q
Buddhist.
Their Friendship Great.
With DR.. Burnett, Mr.. Achorn shared an
interest In aesthetic study and culture
Thoroughly cosmopolitan. the Boston law
yer has spent much time In research into
Scandinavian folklore. has given to the
literary world an Intimate study OF Ibssr
deliXarRH IN me MOI no
addresses in various cities.
Kindred tastes and sympathlcs had
welded q friendship between the doctor
and the lawyer surpasslng ordinary COM
radeship over period OF fifteen TO twenty
years this friendship had mellowsd. Among
the most charming con compilations of the
memory OF his friend. OF whose purity and
sweetness OF character he speaks with
reverence Mr. Achorn has told friends
of his pleasure derived from the many dis
cussions he and DR.. Burnett used to pro-
long in the doctors library a Washington
Throughout winter evenings, as the fire.
pace softly glowed. the two would discuss
problems OF religion and philosophy Dur
ing such confidential chats. one may as
sumo. DR.. Burnett doubtless expressed his
convictions regarding soul existence and
the progress OF the soul after the death
Of the physical body. With Buddhists he
held that the development OF the soul dur
ing its tenancy OF the body determined Its
next progressive stage OF being
Insomuch as DR.. Burnett had discussed
such questions with his friend while liy-
ing, II may be assumed that to this friend
he would seek expression II after the
death OF his body his soul found means
OF Communication.
In this connectio.' the unusual incident
Of the silver matchbox may De held 10
have psychic significance.
or Mr.. Achorn's distress at losing the
matchbox the soul OF DIR. Burnstt had
learned during its earthly cycle. II hIs
soul persisted after physical death. as DR.
Burnett while living was convinced thai q
would. by means of what physical agencies
could II demonstrate its continued exist
friend would by presentation 10 thu uyins,