Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-02

a line there, and reads and rereadS before
he is satisfied.
Reporter: How does the sentiment OF
his writings accord with his real char
acter2
Mrs. Miller Very we'll, indeed.
Reporter: He appears to consider all
women angels2 l.s ftelf
Mrs. Miller: Silent angels, though.
His ideal Of woman is passive crea-
ture, over whom man must have com
plete and undisputed control. His po-
ems, Even SO, which | know was in
tended for myself, is a sample:
IS She has not much to say. and she
Lifts never voice to question me
In aught do--and that is much,
j love her for her patient trust.
And my loves forty-fold return
value l have not TO learn"
That is his idea exactly, and he has
acted it out in his whole life. Another
portion of the poem speaks of
That round. brown, patient hand
Of hers, that never rests till | return,
Which think is true reflex of his sem
timent in regard to woman. ! consider
his descriptions very fine, but the idea
he intends to convey is faulty.
l.
poet, both as a poet and man2
ldrs. Miller: He has no conception of
right or wrong, aud / make that as an
apology for many things he has done.
He loves fine emotion, and neglects
other and more important points.
Reporter; Is he not alfectionate in his
nature2 W l
Mrs. Miller: He has no affection what
ever in his manner, bearing or de-
meanor.
Reporter: 1t would appear from his
poems that he was all affection.
Mrs. Miller: That may be, but it is not
so.
Reporter: When was "Myrrh," the
poem he dedicated to you, published.
Mrs. Miller: 1t was written and pub
lished about the time of our separation.
The sentiment that pervades it is very
fine.
Reporter: His eccentricitics are nat
ural enough to him, l suppose.
Mrs. Miller: He has whims; his life
consists Of whims; but am inclined to
think that many of his eccentricities, es-
pccially in his dress, are affected. Ithas
been the dream of his life TO initiate
Byron, and he attempts it even in his
walk. Lord Byron was lame, you know.
Mr.. Miller was not lame until he became
famous. In Oregon his step was firm
and elastic. am of the opinion that
this is all aii'ectation.
Reporter: How long were you his wife
Mrs. Miller: 1t would have been ten
years this month.
Reporter: You have children living,
have you not2 flsl ti p y
Mrs. Miller (smiling); Three; Maud,
Brick and Hair. Maud, my eldest, is
eight years old. She resembles her
father, and is as pretty as she can be.
Hair is my youngest. | call him prince
Hair" My boys are handsome little
fellows. Perhaps it is mothers weak
ness to call her children beautiful but
surely it is heavenly weakness, and |
would do anything and sacrifice every
thing to contribute to their happiness.
They are with my mother in Portland.
Reporter: Their father must be very
fond of them2
Mrs. Miller: He was not unkind to
them, but he has no love for children,
and | endeavored to keep them from an
noying him. | would have given any
thing to have made him love them. He
did not kiss Maud until she was eight
months old.
Reporter: How did you act towards
each other upon his return from Lon
don2
Mrs. Miller: He had left me desti-
tute, and | did not hear from him for a
year, until Oregon became indignant
and the press began to circulate stories
of his conduct. He then wrote to me
and my friends and sent written denial
to the charges, which he asked me to
publish. When he returned to Oregon
we met at the house of friend, and met
as friends.
Reporter: Do you intend to lead
literary life here2
Mrs. Miller must educate and sup
port my children, and shall use every
honorable means to do so, even raising
myself from comparative Obscurity by
Mr.. Miller's own reputation. 1t remains
to be seen how critical public will re-
ceive me.
The Reporter soon after took his
leave.