New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-19
CoLFAx's cOURTsHIP.

CoLFAX s COURTSHIP.
A friend of Colfax gave me a glimpse Of
his early courtshp the other day. He met
his wife when they were both little chill
dren at or near Fort Edward, New York.
They played together, and the little girl,
Evelne, when the CeltaXes were going
away, said to Mrs Matthews:
Auuty, mayn't I call you ma, like
Schuyler -
"Yes, ;" said Mrs. Matthews.
The young Miss was then just beginning
to write, and soon afterward she wrote a
! letter inelosiny her love for Schuyler,
Their acquaintanceship never ceased. When
Colfax had money enough he built a little
| one-story house, still standing at South
| Bend, and then he went for his playmate
and brought her to his nest. Many ladies
| in Washington knew Mrs. Colfax, and they
speak no less of her lovely nature than of
| her perfect faith happiness, and pride in
her young husband. Now the steamboat
bearing the name of Schuyler Coltax goes
| by the little old house and the larger new
one but the house of one story is perhaps
to be the most revered when this man of
luck comes at last to the narrowest house
of all.
When Colfax was nominated the news
was brought first to his mother, then to his
sister.
Miss Matthews only said swell, that is
lust brothers luck y
Very unlike these episodes is that which
ensues.
COLFAX AT THE DEATH OF LINCOLN.
The day that Mr.. Lincoln saw the last OF
earth he asked Colfax, whom he warmly
esteemed and relied upon, to accompany
him to the theatre that night. 1t was the
J night but one before Colfax was to start
} upon his Rocky Mountain trip.
! C1lfax replied, SIT is impossible, sir; all
| my time is engaged
"What kind of play is this American
Cousin Colfax ?" asked the President.
! Mr.. Colfax said it was Just the thing to
) be amused WITH and make one forgetful o.
ones cares.
z Then said Lincoln: Heres little mes
sage want you to carry to the mines. Let
/ me read it to you"
: And while they waited at the Office door,
=, Lincoln read to Colfax his last composition
E in this world, and then placed it in his side
a coat pocket.
a "Good byr" said Lincoln. "I'll tele-
r graph you at San Francisco"
That night Celfax, going home from a
0 visit to the Postmaster General, who lived
/ L
I dence, passed by the Metropolitan Hotel
e Seeing crowd there he hurried by, as il
Y his wont when there are indications of 9
: quarrel; but a man cried
2 "COlfaX ~
q The Speaker stopped.
f 1.-The President has been murdered,
J, said the man.
!. The Speaker laughed in his face.
e "Why, left him. said he, " not more
J, than an houE ago."
/ "Well, sir, was in the theatre myself
z and saw him shot,"
a At the word " theatre" Colfax saw it all
It He hailed a cabman and was driven rapid
" to the White House. There he dismisset
J, the carriage. Ringing the bell, the porte
/ said that there was no doubt the Presiden
g was murdered, but his body had not com
Y home. The Speaker walked with Senate
a COnness down to the little brick hous
4 where Mr.. Lincoln lay dying, and, bein
5, admitted, stood by the martyr till daylight
1t Soon after the life of Lincoln expired.
3 This accident links Mr. CoIfax to Lii
b coin as closely as Grant, and beth wei
Ie probably nearest the emaneipater
" thoughts when be received the disappointe
h actors bullet. Tom Taylor is a pleasiu
i'd but not extraordinary dramatist; Il
y, American Cousin, however, by reason I
i'd its association with Lincoln's death, wi
O. probably keep the stage as long as Il
" mock drama in Hamlet" It belongs
ie history now, and not to literature.
ty When Coliax saw Lincoln so shortly b
is fore his murder, he was accompanied,
at believe, by Representative Howard. Tl
To- topic Of conversation was Lincoln's rescin
lis ing Of bis permission ssg he Legislature