Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-06-27


years he often spoke Of their mother
to his children. and toward the last
looked forward to meeting her again.
In his last hours she was much in
his thought. Three days before his
death while he was lying on tae sofa
In the sitting room his daughter heard
him cali his wife about ten times,
speaking softly. as if to some one
near, Maria, Maria,v
Throughout his entire life. our friend
was never III. having a particularly
sound and robust constitution which
he took pride in and preserved by
eliminating all bad habits The only
time he was Ill was some seven years
ago when he suffered from an attack
Of tonsilitis
His mind was as vigorous as his
body. lie was good at computation,
which be did mentally In figuring up
his accounts. he seldom used paper
and pencil He was a great reader
both in German and English, and was
familiar with the best in the litera-
lures OF both countries. He had a won
derful memory which he had stored
with selections from his fayorite au.
thors which pleased him, and he was
wont to quote much from this col.
lection of literary gems. In the last
few years OF his life. He was very
fond OF the poet Schiller and made
copious and apt citations on many an
occasion when the conversation would
warrant IL.
Our old friend was very fond of mu.
sic, though possessed of no skill in
this particular branch OF the liberal
arts He was very fond of listening to
music, and was especially appreciatiye
of songs and hymns. A few weeks
before his death he wanted to hear
again, Die Wacht Am Rhein,' the
Star-Spangled Banner" and "the Day
of the Lord" After listening atten-
lively to the music. he remarked that
the Star-Spangled Banner was one OF
the most beautiful melodies he had
ever heard.
While protesting no creed Mr.. VIII
was a religious man, In the broadcast
eense, with profound respect for the
Great Ruler OF the universe and an ad.
Diiration for the Infinite Mind which
of mortal thought. He respected and
obeyed the laws OF God and man. His
habit of thought was philosophical
and many OF his sayings sounded like
bits of the classics, resembling in
form and content the Thoughts" OF
Marcus Aurelius or Epictetus. Strong
IL optimistic. our old friends hopeful
and CHEEKY disposition has frightened
many weary day for friend The
old timers, and some not SO old. can
youch for this beautiful trait in his
character
His was a beautiful old age In un
ruffled sequence his days glided by
full of peace us the river In spring
time LIES winter he spent as he had
so often pictured it in younger days:
in his own home. and Independent
with his own to care for his comfort
and no long Illness before his COINS
way. None of the feeblenesses or frsil
ties of age We're manifested in him
His mind was clear until the end
and his spirit az serene as his face,
we say much of the beauty of youth
its freshness and its promise; the pow
er and realization Of maturity. but ole
age at its best, needs no excuse sucf
as the world is wont to give-it IL the
most beautiful Of all For the sweet
ness and mellowness of char
acter that experience brings Il
| those who live we'll, and tn,
charity big enough to cover the whole
worlds sins with mantle OF tender
ness is "a crown OF glory and dia
dem of beauty" before which youthful
beauty fades and radiant achievement
dims and pales.
When youth and maturity are bu
vanished dreams, and the rays of thu
Eternal morning begin to peep owe
the hills of time, and shine In thei
glory on you and me. may we, too.
g" > when our summons comes
To join that innumerable caravan,
Which moves TO that mysterious realn
where each
Shall take his chamber In the silen
halls of death
Go. not like the quarry slave at nigh,
Sustained and soothed by an unfaltei
ing trust
Approach our graves like one VIII
wraps
The draperies OF his couch about hir
And lies down TO pleasant dreams.
BLUEBELL.
l NtrN NnighlrtI