Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-23

considerate OF others, Of everybody abou
him, that ever saw. He was one of the
most cheerful and sunny. He had I
sense of humor. It was not beneath hi
dignity to joke. Dying and knowing b.
was dying, repeatedly he laughed ant
brought out the funny side of things. HI
bore his suffering with smile. HI
faced the end with composure and faith
and that is to say he was at the last a.
he had been all his life, calm, collected
considerable, patient and courageous.
want to say just few words about
those last days. This is not an GRAFTON
1t ia simple talk by a friend to Other
friends. have written 1t down contrary
to my custom, that my own deep sorrow
may not prevent my giving to you, the
thing it is an inspiration and joy to
know.
On Easter Sunday he attended church
The week following he was unusually
well. Friday, the 9Th of April. he went
out, took a car ride, descended a long
flight of stairs at Georgetown, went out
upon the Aqueduct Bridge to see the
majestic river and the bluffs. He came
home alone, tired but we'll, although al
supper, as If with a premonition, for he
never said thing like that, he said ats
the last time" That night in the night
he was stricken. A skillful and able
doctor whom we all love came at once.
Other specialists were called in but II
was difficulty hard to reach. His
suffering was intense. When saw him
Saturday we felt the worst was over
relief had come, although he was gray
and exhausted from the pain.
Sunday was cheerful day for all.
The danger was over. But Sunday night
again came the attack. The doctors and
another surgeon were with him for hours
and conditions were discovered that
made US realize that the dear old friend,
the grand and noble man had lived out
bis days. That Monday afternoon he
talked with me calmly and frankly
about the end. He had said all that he
needed to say. He had done all that he
needed to do.
l seldom talk with those going about
the change. It's my part as all others
to keep up their hope and courage to the
last. But deceit and pretense seemed 80
useless and trivial in the presence of such
a life. He knew what he faced. He
said, "It has come very suddenly but it
is all right" offered prayer and he
made an earnest response. We talked
Of the dear wife who went five years be-
fore, whose picture looked down upon
us from the wall. And l said, ~ don't
believe either you or she will be very far
away" and he answered, "No, we will
not"
Up in the night with him Monday
again, the doctors worked to save his
life. Surgery brought its relief. Tues
day came with the doctor in driving
snow storm. From then on until the
end saw him almost constantly. lean
not speak, l can not begin to put into
words, the wealth of tenderness and
kindliness he exhibited to all about
him.
And 80 Tuesday afternoon passed into
Tuesday night. Patiently he fought out
the good fight. 1t did not seem to us
matter yet of hours but of days. Every
half hour his medicine was given and he
knew all about it. asked him once if
he were comfortable and he said "Com-
paratively." Enunciation grew difficult.
We could not make out one remark. He
repeated it again and again. finally
said, at does not matter much, Govern
or, does it?" and he said no. The last
word 1 caught that could understand
was Better" comforting and suggest
i've, expressing what he believed and
what we all believe of him and of all our
beloved dead.
At five minutes of IL surrounded by all
his children he fell asleep quietly and
peacefully as a child. The end was
worthy of the beginning. The sunset as
beautiful as the sunrise. Through his
day ran a marvellous unity and that
unity was not broken when the body
failed.
respect the convictions of the church.
honor the faith men build on the Old
Book. / rejoice in the service we have
year after year on Easter, but when all is
said and done, more is taught bya noble
life than by all the doctrine of the Uni
verse.
Talk to me about such man dying!
Talk to me about such man gone, an
initiated, blotted out! It's not belief
that's hard and doubt that's easy, it's
doubt that is the hardest thing in the
world.
In the presence of such life, how
small seems the pickering and the SQUAD
bling of,the world, how petty our hate
and our jealousy, how ignoble our strife,
how faithless our care and anxiety, our
tears and our fears.
There is just one verse that they
ought to carve on his tomb. Not ellis
warfare is accomplished" the rec
ord of honor and office-but the highest
and deepest proposition that ever fell
from human lips: "Blessed are the pure
in heart, for they shall see God"
Fryeburg and Brldgton Academy's