Nat Goodwin's BookGoodwin, Nat. C. (Nathaniel Carll)
General
Nat Goodwin's Book
Goodwin, Nat. C. (Nathaniel Carll)
Actors -- Correspondence
She prepared a luncheon for us (which did not quite suit my fancy, but
I was too polite to refuse it). It was some kind of a mushy mixture,
requiring the use of a mortar and pestle, which the natives manipulate
quite skillfully. It consisted of several ingredients, one of which I
thought was----never mind! That was soon over, thank the Lord, and Mrs.
Stevenson showed us the house. We reveled in R. L.'s study which was
filled with many original prints, books, emblems and gifts of every
description.
In this room he passed away one afternoon while giving a reception to
the natives who loved him dearly. While bestowing his hospitality he
complained of a pain in his side and, excusing himself to his guests,
started for his chamber. His wife, noticing his deathly pallor, rushed
to his assistance. (Mrs. Stevenson was explicit in her description.)
"Give them my compliments," he said to her as she half carried him
toward his bedroom. "Tell them I'm a trifle ill, but we will all be
together a week from to-night." And he waved an adieu and tried to hide
the pain that racked his body. "It's nothing," he kept repeating to
his wife, "it will soon pass away." But just as he entered his bedroom
words failed him; he could only smile, grasp her hand and sink back
onto the bed.
Thus passed the soul of one of the dearest men and one of the most
brilliant. He suffered but he uttered no complaint. He had a kindly
word even for savages. Now his body lies at the top of a huge mountain
and if you look steadily you can almost outline the form as if it were
lying on some great catafalque. It is most difficult of access; it took
the natives two days and nights to place him on his bed of flowers. But
to this day many of the sturdier ones make the toilsome climb and pay
homage to the man they call their "dear master."
There alone he lies, as far as possible away from this plaything called
earth. Huge trees stand like silent sentinels sheltering him from wind
and rain. His companions are the little birds who sing his praises
through all the hours of the day and night. Above the moon and stars
dance with joy and I can fairly hear the jolly old moon say, "Bobby,
we've got you at last!" And each star is whispering as it twinkles
along, "Bobby has come, Bobby has come!"
Rest on, Robert, until eternity has grown gray. If we worshipped you
down here, what must they be doing for you now? The world is jealous.
We have only your memory. They have your soul.
Tears streamed down my face as I bade goodby to Mrs. Stevenson. It was
all very sad, but I wouldn't have missed it for the crown the Bourbons
lost.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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