Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-03-20
FIGHT AGAINST DEATH
Dying Man Played CARDS Two
Weeks to Keep Himself alive.
FRIENDS KEPT GAME GOING.

Aged iliinoisan's Mind Diverted With
Psnuehle Till His. Son Came From
Belgium to Say FareweII-Lived to
Enjoy Last Reunion He Determir.
to Have.
Joseph Hufker of Alton. H.. whv
died recently after living long enough
to see the face of his sou Louis. who
started on Washington's birthday from
college in Belgium. where he was
studying for the Roman Catholic priest
hood, had thirteen children, and there
had not been family reunion for thir-
teen years The father was told by his
physician he was dying from cancer of
the stomach and could nof live more
than week. Il will live long enough
to hold another family reunion" he
told the doctor. who shoOk,h5s head.
Hufker ordered message sent to his
son to leave his studies. and hasten
across the'ocean to see him. and mes
sage came back that the fathers com
nand had been obeyed. Then Hufker
settled himself to the task of living
until the time would come for his son
to reach his bedside. The doctor told
him that he must keep up his spirits if
he would live the time desired. .'
Penuchle was his favorite card game,
and he was an expert who was always
able to uphold his championship claims.
To In fAl hn i,rbIprc tn in
and take the places Of his children
when they would become tired of play
ing. Mr.. Hufker seldom slept because
of the intense pain in his stomach.
Seated In bed. he would play hour aft
er hour. To add Zest to the contest he
would urge his opponents TO play bet
ter and try harder to beat him, but he
remained the unbeaten champion Of
this game with death. A dozen decks
Of cards were worn out.
Hufker played his game so we'll that
he stayed the hand of death one week,
then ten days. then two weeks. The
doctor ceased making his visits, saying
II was no use to attempt anything fur
ther for the man.
With his face set grimly in his deter
mhatlon not to die. the old man van
quished one after another Of his oppo-
nents. Every night would find his OPP
ponents of the night before ready to
seat themselves on the bed where the
man was dying and keep him alive by
holding up his interest in the game.
When winning was too easy. Mr.. HUFF
ker would begin to grow tired. and he
would spur the players on to better
efforts.
The son. who was on the way, was
not heard from by the father until he
walked into the room He had kept the
family in ignorance of his arrival at
New York and had taken a train i'm
mediately for Alton without telegraph
Ing. The suspense aidedin keeping the
father alive When the son had COM
pleted the journey of 5000 miles to at
tend his fnther, the other day he walk
ed into the room with both hands out
stretched and a smile on his face.
"Fathcr, I've come at last" he ex-
claimed. The dying man was even
then engaged in a game OF pehhch'e
He swept aside the cards, forgetting
that his opponents were about to bea'
him. and clasped his son in his arms
The father survived the arrival OF his
son only one day. He enjoyed the last
reunion he had determined to have
Another daughter, who is Il nun III a
convent, was at his bedside. apd all OF
the thirteen children were together fol
the first time in thirteen years.
.Hufker died happily. He was given
the assurance before his death that his
sons early departure from the coilegee
in Belgium would not prevent his De-
ing ordained as a priest. He had been
very jealous in pursuing his studies
and had completed bis work ahead OF
| time. He will be ordained as priest al
Alton IN June by Bishop James Ryan
| The attending surgeon said during the
progress of the case that 1t was only
the card games and hope of seeing MS
| son that kept the old man alive,