Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/217

Rh behind him. I rejoice that I had such a happy friendship with him for forty years, and shall always cherish the memory of my revered and beloved friend, Robert Carter.”

The visits to Saratoga were very delightful to Mr. Carter. Dr. Strong’s house was a sort of ministerial caravansary, and the society was very congenial, For a time he went there every summer for a few weeks, and once, when recovering from a long and severe illness, was there for three months. That summer Dr. Mark Hopkins was there for a while, and they had long talks on the piazza together. The grand old Doctor had just resigned the presidency of Williams College. In one of their chats, he told Mr. Carter that his dear friend, Mr. William E. Dodge, had for some years supplemented the President’s salary by giving him the interest of $30,000. When he resigned the presidency, he said to the directors that he could no longer take this, but it must go to his successor. The directors told him that he must settle that with Mr. Dodge. Accordingly Dr. Hopkins spoke to him about it. Mr. Dodge made answer, “You may do as you please about taking the money, but it was intended for you personally, and not as President, and if you do not accept it, it reverts to me. If you take it as long as you live, at your death it will go to the College.” With the utmost simplicity, Dr. Hopkins, after finishing the story, said, “Mr. Carter, what could I do?” With a twinkle in his eye, Mr. Carter responded, “Surely there was but one course open to you.”

Another incident of this summer was connected with the Rev. Joel Parker, D.D., who was spending some weeks with his wife at Dr. Strong’s, and with whom Mr. and Mrs. Carter became quite intimate. One day