The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-07-19
Random Sketches
Robert J. Hurdette Again.

| early IN the month there was writ
ten sketch with the coming birth.
day anniversary Of Robert j. Burdette
as the essence. Some minor details
We're thrown around it, written hasti.
| ly from q dim memory grown DINNER
from the lapse Of many years. It was
not sure and not claimed that the
dates intimated were absolutely cor
rect and to prove that they were not
given as final, the next few days OF
spare moments were given UP to list
ening for some matured voice on the
subject. One man was met who is u.s.
ually clear on such subjects and he
had come here and located few
years before the incidents recited
took place. He was not very positive
in his recollection though he seemed
to be impressed with the idea that
Burdette's lecture "The Rise and Fall
of the Moustche' was delivered
as his initial lecture work and
that 1t was given at the old Baptist
church, under the auspices of Lad.
les society of that church. He fur
Their said that he heard Burdectte in
another lecture in Keokuk after that,
given at hall somewhere down on
Main street, the title he did not clear
ly remember, but the subject was
THE Mother-in-law,' and he distinctly
remembers the opening words OF that
lecture: What is Home Without Il
Mother-in-law,'- spoken in Bob's
droll way, that the words were i'm
pressed upon his mind with SO much
humorous force, that he had retained
the impression even to this day.
1t is much easier to crticise a minor
detail in a story, long years after the
events occurred, when the witnesses
are nearly all dead or scattered, than
it is to make Reasonable story con-
scientiously told after lapse of many
years. That is the experience taught
to everybody who has tried 1t. The
essence of the story told of Bob Bur
dette was that his birthday anniyer-
sary occurs July 80, and that he de-
served the kindly suggestion by cor
respondent Of st. Louis paper, that
his friends and admirers everywhere
should remember him kindly with
post cards and flowers on this ami
versary. If the story is the cause Of
placing single memento into his
hands it will have proved successful
in attaining the heartfelt wishes of
the writer.
Now comes communication from
out west where the sun sets, saying:
II notice the following in your issue
Of July 6, regarding Bob Burdette:
Probably about his last visit here as a
lecturer was when he gave his popular
lecture "The Rise and Fall Of the
Mustache" to large and much pleas
ed audience at the old First Baptist
church in this CITY,
"That marked his initial appearance
as lecturer. It was given under the
auspices Of the Ladies Aid society of
the Baptist church"
The above verifies the information
gained from an old resident of Keo-
kuk, gained few days afterwards and
given in the explanation above which
was received before the above COM
was received.
Still we hope that the pockets, hat
and boots of Burdette will be cram
med with postals and flowers on the
of his birth. The main
facts of the story were correct-Bob's
is just ahead of us and
he should be kindly remembered
through the mails on the happy event
with the added earnest wish that he
may enjoy the pleasures of heartfelt
tokens from friends in many succeed.
ing anniversaries.
Loves Music.
Love held harp between his hands
and low
The masterhand, upon the harp
strings land,
BY way Of prelude such sweet
strain played
Which made the heart with happy |
tears oerflow,
But sadder, wilder did that music
grow;
And, like the wall Of woods by storm
gusts sway'd
While yet the awful thunder's wrath
is stay'd,
And earth lies faint beneath the COM
ing blow,
Still wilder waxed the tune until at