Topic 29 
“TRYING TO KILL ME"

IT sometimes seems that some of my admiring friends wish to work me to death.  The idea of most committees seems to be to pass me on to the next place as nearly dead as possible."

Most considerate of the comfort of others, Colonel Roosevelt at times complained of the lack of consideration for him.

"It is queer," he said on another occasion, this time when he was reported recovered from a serious illness, "that people should hail my discharge from the hospital as the signal to pile invitations to work on me.  Really it seems as though one half of the letters congratulating me on my recovery conclude with an invitation to speak here, there, anywhere.  There are hundreds of them."

Returning from his last extensive tour of the West, the Colonel spoke of this demand of speeches from him.  He had been ill on this trip, and as we neared New York, I ventured to advise that he spend the summer quietly at Oyster Bay.

"I hope," I said, "that if I may say so, this experience has taught you something.  It is a result of your not following Dr.  James's orders and taking a rest.  It is a warning.  You must take things easy."

"I shall do that; I shall have to do that.  But I shall have to do some things."

"Colonel, you simply will have to rest.  There are two hot months ahead, there's good boating and fishing at Oyster Bay, you have n't cut your winter's wood yet.  I am presuming, I know, but you must rest, for there's hard work ahead and you will be needed.  In saying this I do not mean to be offensive."

"You are not; you are perfectly right, and I shall take things easier.  You simply say what all my real friends say.  But I must go to Passaic July 4.  I must do that."

"You should not accept any more invitations.  It is asking too much."

" I know it is.  The usual committee idea is to pass me along to the next town as nearly dead as possible, always taking pains to see that I do not die on their hands."

"And don't yield to any 'just one speech' appeal."

" I won't.  You are saying what those who really have my interest at heart say.  The others say to me, 'Save yourself,' and then ask me to come out and speak for them.  Jim Goodrich wants me to return to Indiana for another speech.  I'll see him in helL first."