New-York tribune., 1919-01-09


Corbett."
That was in 1897. In his day Raphael
himself had been prizefghter. This
fact, coupled with his rescue of a
woman and several children from a
burning building, led Commissioner
Roosevelt, as he was then, to appoint
him to the force.
For an hour and half, while the
family withdrew, Raphael sat beside
the body of the man he loved above
all things on earth, bidding him fare
we'll. The Jewish religion had taught
him that tie souls of the dead do not
leave their bodies until the last rites
are performed, and he knew that the
great spirit of his former chief still
stood close beside the quiet body.
Communes Alone With Spirit
And so alone in the great shadowy
room Otto Raphael sat beside the
coffin and talked to Theodore Roosevelt
as simply and faithfully as though the
living man occupied chair beside him.
No one may know the details of that
wonderful conversation, but at its close
the policeman left the house with a
face that was transfigured.
At midday it stopped showing, though
the sky was still leaden and heavy.
The town was filling rapidly with
strangers, and at the great house on
the hill they were making ready for the
simple services that were to precede
the removal of the body to the church.
A hitehaired Catholic priest was
among those who came to Oyster Bay.
He was the Rev. Father j. J. Curran,
pastor of the Church of St. Mary, at
Wilkes Barre, who was of great aid to
President Roosevelt during the coal
strike of 1902
II came" he said, "to pay tribute to
the best man that ever lived"
Major General Leonard Wood, Colonel
Roosevelt's superior during the Span
ish-American War and his fast, life
dong friend, was among the few ad-
mitted to Sycamore HILL Another who
was made welcome was Harry Donovan,
son of mike" Donovan, Colonel Roose-
velt's old sparring partner. He was
the only unlimited guest who was per-
mitted to enter the grounds.
Thousands Kept Back
Twenty-Five patrolmen from New
York, under the command of Captain
Thor, directed traffic through the
village and kept back the thousands
who have gathered about the little red
rooted Episcopalian church. Six
mounted policemen under command of
Captain Edward J. Bourke, whom
Colonel Roosevelt appointed to the
force, formed guard of honor for the
hearse
At noon the Rev. DR.. George Tai
mage, rectcr of the church here, con-
Quoted the services at Sycamore Hill.
He read the 91st Psalm and recited
several collects. The coffin was not
opened, either here or at the church,
and when it was carried from the
trophy room by the undertaker's assis-
tants Mrs. Roosevelt retired and did
not accompany her son, daughters and
the rest of the family to the church.
. Meanwhile, under the brown rafters
of the church. they were gathering
men in uniform and in civilian clothes,
men supreme in their fields of en-
deayor, men who were shabbily dressed
but who loved the man whose body was
soon to lie before the chancel.
Captain Archie an Usher
Captain Archie Roosevelt, his face
haggard aud worn, was one Of the ush-
ers. Theodore Douglas Robinson,
Nicholas Longworth and William Loeb
were the others.
There was little movement in the
church. Outside the melting snow
dripped steadily from the caves. A
breeze sprang up and awoke the wave
action whistling buoy in Oyster Bay.
All through the brief service it keened
softly.
The chancel was afiame with flowers
1-SC viz "o%~ "u4tC OiOOUS Oh mourn
ing, but gorgeous carnations, orchids
and roses brave in red, gold and vary
ing shades of violet. Above the en-
trance to the church was an American
flag. Another hung from the left of
the chancel. Christmas greens and a
bell of laurel still decorated the build
ing.
Presently DR.. Talmage, in surplice
and stole. entered from the vestry. He
was followed by Bishop Burgess of
Long Island, who took no part in the
service. Outside the hearse rolled
slowly up 10 the church through a
crowd that stood bareheaded, and the
mounted police wheeled to one side
and raised nightsticks in salute.
In the church all was still. Sud-
denly the windows on the right, which
had been dull and lifeless against the
dark winter sky, began to glow.
Through the storm clouds of morning
She sun was breaking. Faint shadows
OF scarlet and blue and gold from the
stained glass reached forth across the
enurch: DR.. Talmage walked slowly
down the aisle.
Congregation Arises
Il am the resurrection and the life
saith the Lord; he that believeth in
me, though he were dead, yet shall he
hye and whosoever liveth and believ-
eth in me shall never die"
Al