The chronicle=news., 1913-01-25

composed the vocal score associated
Wit IL. And to declare that the
music is worthy OF the words Is the
highest praise within adulations
reach.
When the poets end was near and
his wife was temporarily laid aside
Miss Jessie became a ministcring an
gel to him and his family. for her
ncvcr-tiring care over his sick bed.
he presented her with several poet
ical tributes OF gratitude and when
he WAS called away. the public took
occasion to mark their appreciation
of her devotion to the poet. Not only
was she assiduous in every attention
that could in any way tend TO ale
viate the suicrinps or promote the
comfort OF the distinguished suffer-
er. but In addition took his four boys
to her own home and tended them
until their mother was relieved.
Robert. the eldest boy. was with
her Tor upwards OF "A year, On the
sd of June. 1893. she became the
wife of James Thompson. writer OF
| Dumfrles. and at the great national
festival held In honor Of the sons OF
the bard. by special request OF Scot
tish people. Jessie Lewars and her
L
der to the poets direct relatives.
1, would be impossible to speak OF
| all the women that Inspired the poet
| in one short article. Those selected
Engaged his attention. and enjoyed
his friendship In n special manner.
nnd IL Is noteworthy that every one
OF the hiGhborn and cultured wo-
men exchanged the courtcsics OF cor
rcspondcncc or had opporiunp!tics
:.of conversation with the poet. not
only continued devoted to him
through life. but exalted his MEM
ory after his death. All felt hat. in
his own phrase. ITO know him was
10 love him." are Mt least to he aware
that knowing him gave new slim
ulus to their existence. and confer.
red distinction on themselves and
| connections.
His presence was magnetic, every
one felt II. some who came. expect
ing to meet and humble u too pre-
sumptIrs rustic. succumbcd TO nm
Influence that sent amazed and
eratified away. There was no pre-
sumption. There was no desire TO
shown off. neither was there con-
straint. But there was a natural no.
hility OF manner aud mind than
commanded admiration and delight
| with women. this attractive person.
nj influence WAS felt much more In
tensely. Their sympathetic natures
| yielded Mt once. Even the famous
Jane Duchess OF Gordcn. the women
who controlled men wherever she
me, them. admitted after her inter-
View with the poet. that she never.
until then. had met man that
l Il s,.ts 4,.sh ..Nf hn
feet In a few minutes. -
ic, higher praise than this was
given by one who spoke out OF thor
cugh knowledge and study o: his
character. The gifted. but unfor-
tunatc Clarlnda Mrs. Maclchosc,
She and Burns had sad. final IN
scrSicw some months after her re-
turn from the West indies. weak In
health aud broken In heart with the
knowlcdIc that II rascalty husband.
had. by his Infamous conduct. put
mn end forever to all hope OF recon-
Citation with him. She knew 600.
that Burns never could be hers.
still. she wished 10 see him. and he.
oil his part. was eager to meet her
again. Perhaps. he felt that he had
some rcpara,ion to offer for past
conduct. They We're together for
hours. What was said during the
Interview. has never been disclosed.
i'ut Clarindl 10 others. later. with
tears In her voice and Il glow OF In.
tcnsest admiration. lighted up her
wan face. declared OF all the men
who approached her. and they had
been many. none had behaved as
nobly rs Burns. or had given her
such high conception OF manhood
Clarinda carried her loyalty Ia
Burns through Il life which extended
far beyond HIS. but In .timattng the
poets reputation. during what was
truly his declining years, IL is oi
more account, perhaps, to note that
the coGspicuously good cultured wo-
men stcadfastly adhered to him
Miss Margaret Chalmers. more high
iy gifted than CIarinda. and OF ir-
rcproachlblc moral character. held
To him. as did also her cousin, Miss
Hamilton Lady MacK.nzic). Mrs
Riddel. forgetting the tiff which had
ruftlcd her dignity and estrangcd
them for u time. drew to him with
words of sympathy and comfort
when he began to sink under his
final Illness. brave Jessie Lcwars,
not only nurscd him TO the last. but
gave home and n mothers attention
to his children. The one OF all tho
women" who remained absent and
silent, was the one who. in justice
TO herself. should not have done So
Mrs. Dunlop, what Influenced her is
not known. 1t may have been i'll
health. She had complained OF deaf
ness and failing sight. But. even
this would not excuse her cruel dis