Only the barren, dusty road of decay will mark the meadows of melody that Riley has planted with the seeds of song and when Dame Nature commands his spirit to join the other singers in the celestial choir we who are left saddened can only kneel upon the sod made fragrant by his presence and entreat the messengers to bear him gently over the hills out to "Old Aunt Mary's" where the "Raggerty" man will whisper "Good-bye, Jim; take care of Yourself." As events transpired it was I who nearly started on the last long journey--and Jim recovered. And one day in 1912 came this message to ease my bed of pain:-- Indianapolis Ind Oct 9 Via Long Beach Calif Oct 10th 12 NAT GOODWIN, _Ocean Park Calif._ Heartiest appreciation for your good birthday greetings and all best wishes for your speedy recovery Loyally as ever. 9 28 A. M. JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY _Chapter XXXIII_ DIGBY BELL AND DE WOLF HOPPER It is a supreme satisfaction to look back over a period of 25 years, and realize one has retained the friendship of even one man. I have been successful with a few, but the most gratifying has been the continued friendship between Digby Bell, De Wolf Hopper and myself. We began our respective careers in the seventies, at about the same time, and have appeared often in the same characterizations, principally in comic and light opera, and always enjoyed the other's performances much better than our own. We have frequently appeared at benefit performances and always enjoyed ourselves immensely, irrespective of the pleasure we were contributing to others. Bell and Hopper, are directly opposite to one another in make up and manner, although both are gifted with conspicuous personalities, particularly Hopper. They gave a keen sense of humor accompanied with much gray matter, and I consider them two of the most intelligent men on our stage to-day. Both are gifted with the power to amuse off the stage as well as on, being splendid raconteurs. Hopper is particularly happy as an after-dinner talker and before the curtain speech-maker, and his Casey at the Bat, has become an American classic. Bell and Hopper, make charming companions and one never regrets an hour or two spent in their society. They say the only true way to know a man is to travel with him, or be associated with him in business. I had the privilege many years ago to spend many happy days in the society of Hopper, enjoying a holiday spent abroad. We intended making a journey over the Continent, but London proved so attractive that we remained there most of our time. I had the pleasure of introducing Hopper to my English friends and some of the London clubs, and he very soon made a host of friends.