
Yesterday on my way up to Olive to see my wife's father, who is near the end of his
life's journey, I read in the Tribune of the death of Wm
O'Connor.
I It
was news I had been expecting for some time, yet it was a stunning blow
for all that I know how keenly you must feel it, & you have
my deepest sympathy. No words come to my pen adequate to express the sense of the
loss we have we suffered in the death of that chivalrous & eloquent soul. How strange
that his life has all passed, that I shall see or hear him no more.
And it is sad to me to think that he has left behind him no work or book that at all
expresses the measure of his great powers. What
a gift of speech that man had! If you can tell me anything about his last days I
shall be very glad to hear it. Also where he is buried.
I am pretty well, & have been immersed in farm work for the past six weeks. We
have rented our house to a New York man for 5 months. Julian & I live in the old
house with a man who works for me, & Ursula boards in Po'Keepsie. I hope this
great heat for the past few days has not prostrated you. Tell Harry
Trauble Traubel
to write to me.
The wave of orchard bloom has just passed over us & the world has been very lovely. Drop me a line my dear friend if you are able to do so.
With the old love John Burroughs