The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-11-23

and other Hawk-Eyetems." 1t includ-
ed a number of short sketches and
.squibs" that had been published in
the Hawk-Eye The book bore this
Inscription: ITO Frank Hatton. Edi-
tor-fn-Chief, and My Associates on
the Hawk-Eye, in happy remembrance
is inscribed"
The preface was Enthusiastically
Burdettish:
THE appearance of a new book Is
an indication that another man has
found mission, has entered upon the
performance of lofty duty, actuated
only by the noblest impulses that can
spur the soul of man to action. It Is
the proud boast of the profession OF
literature, that no man ever published
q book for selfish purposes or with
ignoble aim. Books have been pub
lished for the consolation OF the dis
tressed; for the guidance of the wan
dering; for the relief Of the destitute;
for the hope OF the penitent; for up
lifting the burdened soul above its sor-
rows and fears; for the amelioration
of the condition OF all mankind; for
the right against the wrong; for the
good against the bad; for the truth.
This book is published for two dollars
per yolume.'' R. ]. b.
Not unlike Mark Twain, Burdette
often leads his readers up to sur
prises; sometimes through pathos to
sudden CLINT OF humor; and at other
times through humor and laughter,
suddenly debouching upon a plain of
more serious thought and wholesome
conclusion. In all his wit and humor
there is marked absence Of the
coarseness and irreverence which
some humorists have seemed to regard
as essential, or at least permissible.
The cleanness of Burdette's writings
will strengthen the permanency OF
their popularity.
Mr.. Burdette had charming per-
sonality; genial, sprightly, bubbling
over with the plsasantries of life. He
was fine conversationalist, and had
an inexhaustible stock Of anecdotes,
good stories and funny personal ex-
periences which he used with prodig-
atty and always with remarkable per-
thence to the subject OF conversation.
His demeanor was natural, unaffected,
and his very nature gave the impress
sion of good will and good fellowship
for all who came in contact with him.
His fun was never forced; he was like
the little boy who was reprimanded
by the teacher for whistling in school,
II didn't whistle" said the lad, at
whistled ITSELF"
When Mr.. Burdette first started up
on his lecture tours, still making Bur
lington his home, he returned, fire.
ouently. His entrance in the editorial
room upon such occasions was the
spontaneous signal to the staff to drop
all work, no matter how pressing, to
greet the wanderer. A moment more
and there was an epidemic Of laugh
ter as he related some of his exper-
fences on the road, on thu lecture plat
form, or the train, or at the station or
a hotel. He was quick to discern the
humorous or ridiculous side Of any
LAiAlS dAu CrCly tAAA6. ao SAC asa
dena- dispatch announcing his death
quotes him. "Burdette died with the
conviction that there was not only
just as much fun in the world today
as ever, but "a great deal more-be-
cause as he said, there are more
people in 1t, and people are the fun
niest things on this side OF the grave
!.
After awhile Mr.. Burdette removed
to Bryn Mawr, Pa, where was locat-
ed a fine school which he wished his
10y to attend. And from there he
covered the lecture field, and wrote
for the press and wrought out, In part.
his subsequent career as author and
preacher, and philosopher of the bright
side of life, even amid the SORROWS that
come into every life and to every fire
side. The citizens Of Burlington, who
had so deeply enjoyed Mr.. Burdette's
fellow citizenship regretted his re-
moval but followed him with their
best wishes. rejoiced in his success
and never ceased to claim him as a
Burlingtonian. And bob" reciprocal
ed the good will of city full Of
friends and treasured the memory OF
Burlington as one OF the happiest per-
iods of his life And now we find,
with Hood,
There's not string attuned to mirth
But has its chord in melancholy
N-aAhva pDhf