The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-03-30

heart in those days OF 1921, '22
and '2S. But those days with
their infamy passed over him as
a breath of wind that did not
flicker the even-flaming candle OF
his devotion and faith.
How well those lony.consecrat-
ed generations Of Ca1vinis:n had
poured their iron faith into every
chamber of his soul! Voiceiess
to refute the days sophtstrias and
the calumnies Of the passing
hour that covered his ideals
with ignominy, powerless to stop
noisy currents which, others
thought, were sweeping over mis-
life's work. he moved through his
little routine Of the day serene
and, in SO far as a man broken,
impotent, and down may be happy
in the midst Of alarms, his spirit
Haunted its gay banner and knew
no inner grief. America had
never seen before so inspiring q
spectacle, so triumphant a eli
max to bitter tragedy.
Often Went to Theater.
Every physical care and COM
fort surrounded him. He often
went to Keith's Theater when the
bill changed, and two strong door,
men gently helped him to his
seat. The bright vaudeville
cheered him, ana he never missed
the twinkle of pretty pair OF
heels. He kept an allowance going
to old Dave Bryant, Of Whining
ton, that had continued through
- HNNlf a.
thing to remind old Dave OF the
better days. During the White
House years this allowance had
never ceased, and sometimes an
overcoat or a suit went with II
for which Dave mad occasionally
refused a kings ransom from
curiosity hunters. And in the last
days his mind may have been
on Dave and the Wilmington
scenes.
Edith Boiling Wilson could
make him smile 20 the last hour
Of his conscious life by the buoy
ancy of her presence. Her arms
were almost literally about MIN
as he went down through those
last weeks slowly into the valley
of the shadow.
For six months he had been
growing weaker. Armistice Day,
1928. q crowd gathered uptown
In Dupont Circle. Joe Tumulty
had hired a scratch" band, and
Victor Murdoch headed q process
cession that walked out to 8
street. 1t was not the elite Of
washington, not the elect OF the
Government, but the simple people,
department clerks, young boys
and girls, and few struggling
colored people on the edge Of the
crowd, which was not in march
ing order, but swept along the
street, some on the sidewalks,
some in the center Of the pave.
ment.
'UncIe Sam" At The Head
Near the head of the procession
was an old man who looked like
Uncle Sam, kindly, familiar old
gentleman who lent his presence
to any town procession no mat
ter what it's import. AS the crowd
came nearer to s street, came
closer to Wilson's home, the peo-
pie Of the faubourg, some OF the
Really Best Peaple, joined it. The
ex-service men In the crowd were
placed at the head of the pro-
cession. Respectfully it gathered
about the door OF the Wilson
house on S street.
When the band ceased playing,
the expectant eyes Of the crowd
saw an old man come out leaning
heavily upon his cane. Support
ing him stood Senator Carter
Glass, Of Virginia, who read q
prepaid Introductory address. The
old man beside the Senator lift
ed his face, and they saw a kind
ly smile that Wilson was wont to
bestow upon the populace in his
happier days, the last CLEAN OF
the lamp from the hall Of the
Irish kings.
Amid the cheers were tears in
the eye that saw the waning
smile. He asked about the young
men in front Of the door. learned
they were ex-service men, and
then his eyes filled up. Wilson
began to speak, apparently think.
ing that the whole crowd was Of
ex-service men. He recited his
speech carefully in a voice unex-
pectedly clear. Then he paused.
Number Of Old Friends.
Around the doorway were gath.
cred a number OF his old friends.
The windows about him wcro
filled with former associates. Sen
ator Swanson, Of Virginia, not to
be out of the picture with his
colleague, Senator Glass, support.
ing the President, was conspicu-
ously leaning over the sash. When
the ex-President paused, he said:
That's all can do" The crowd
broke into sturdy, supporting
cheers. He seemed to have fin
ished.
The police were busy whaching
camera-men dragging a snap
shooter from an elm tree opposite.
The band seized the silence. They
were about to break away when
he began again. The band had to
be sQuelched. Then he finished
his speech. 1t was not a particu-
larly notable utterance. 1t had
none Of the old fire, none OF the
appealing fervor that the War
President had kindled, but it held
high and mistaken the torch OF
his faith. He smiled again, waved
his free hand, and so turned
jauntily from the crowd forever.
to face the messenger who had
been calling him through his de-
clining years.