Part 20 (2/2)

General Toombs at the funeral of his friend p.r.o.nounced a eulogium on the dead. His words were tremulous, and the trooping, tender memories of half a century crowded into the anguish of that moment. Toombs and Stephens, so long united in life, were not long parted in death.

In September, 1883, Mrs. Toombs died at her summer residence in Clarkesville, Ga. Their devoted friend, Dr. Steiner, was with them at the time, and rendered the double offices of family physician and sympathetic friend. Between these two men there had been a warm and long friends.h.i.+p. Dr. Steiner talked with General Toombs about his spiritual condition. A G.o.dly man himself, the doctor thought that he might remove any doubts that might linger in the mind of the stricken husband. He was gratified to hear that the way was clear. ”Why, doctor,” said General Toombs, ”I am a prayerful man. I read the Bible and the Prayer Book every day.” ”Then why not be baptized, General?” ”Baptize me, doctor,”

was his prompt reply. Dr. Steiner answered that there was no immediate need of that. The general was in good health. Dr. Steiner had baptized patients, he said, but it was in times of emergency. It was the desire of General Toombs to be baptized at the bedside of his wife. In a short time Robert Toombs was in communion with the Southern Methodist Church.

It was his wife's beautiful example, ”moving beside that soaring, stormy spirit, praying to G.o.d for blessings on it,” which brought him to a confession of his faith, and left him in full fellows.h.i.+p with G.o.d's people.

General Toombs' health commenced visibly to fail after his wife's death, and the loss of Mr. Stephens made life lonely. His younger brother Gabriel, himself in the shadow of a great affliction, was with him constantly. They were devotedly attached to each other. Mr. Gabriel Toombs is, in personal appearance, very much like his brother. The long, iron-gray hair, brushed straight out from his head, reminds one of Robert Toombs. He is smaller in stature, and is a man of strong abilities, even temperament, and well-balanced mind. His brother had great regard for his business judgment and political sagacity, and often consulted him on public matters. These men lived near each other in Was.h.i.+ngton, their families grew up together, and General Toombs regarded his brother's children almost as he did his own.

On the 30th of September, 1885, Robert Toombs was confined to his house by illness. It was a general breaking down of his whole system. It was evident that he was nearing his end. During his last illness his mind would wander, and then his faculties would return with singular clearness. He suffered little pain. As Henry Grady said of him, it seemed that this kingly power and great vitality, which had subdued everything else, would finally conquer death. His ruling instinct was strong in dissolution. He still preserved to the last his faculty of grasping with ease public situations, and ”framing terse epigrams, which he threw out like proverbs.”

During one of his lucid intervals he asked for the news. He was told; ”General, the Georgia Legislature has not yet adjourned.”

”Lord, send for Cromwell,” he answered, as he turned on his pillow.

Another time he was told that the Prohibitionists were holding an election in the town. ”Prohibitionists,” said he, ”are men of small pints.”

His mind at this period dwelt mainly on serious thoughts. The Bible was read to him daily. He was perfectly aware of his condition. He said to Dr. Steiner: ”Looking over my broad field of life, I have not a resentment. I would not pang a heart.”

He talked in his delirium of Mr. Stephens and Dr. Steiner. The latter recalled him and said: ”General, I am here by your side; Mr. Stephens, you know, has crossed over the river.” Coming to himself, he said: ”Yes, I know I am fast pa.s.sing away. Life's fitful fever will soon be over. I would not blot out a single act of my life.”

Dr. Steiner declared that he never before realized so fully the appropriateness of Mr. Stephens' tribute to Toombs; ”His was the greatest mind I ever came in contact with. Its operations, even in its errors, remind me of a mighty waste of waters.”

When the time came for Dr. Steiner to return to his home in Augusta, General Toombs bade him good-by. ”I am sorry,” said he, ”the hour is come. I hope we shall meet in a better place.”

After Thursday, December 10, General Toombs did not regain consciousness. On Monday, December 15, 1885, at 6 o'clock P. M., he breathed his last. Just as the darkness of a winter evening stole over the land the great spirit of the statesman walked into eternal light.

He was buried on Thursday, December 18, at twelve o'clock. The funeral exercises were held in the little brick Methodist church where his wife and daughter had wors.h.i.+ped.

The funeral was simple, according to his wishes. A large number of public men in Georgia attended the services. Dr. Hillyer, a prominent Baptist divine and cla.s.smate of General Toombs, a.s.sisted in the services. Rt. Rev. John W. Beckwith, Episcopal Bishop of Georgia, who had been his closest religious adviser after the death of the Methodist Bishop George F. Pierce, delivered a beautiful eulogium.

The remains were interred in the Was.h.i.+ngton cemetery, by the side of the body of his wife. A handsome marble shaft, bearing the simple and speaking inscription ”Robert Toombs,” marks the spot which is sacred to all Georgians.

THE END.

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