Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-07-03
Mrs. General Lee.

But for the presence Of Mrs. Gen.
eral Lee in our vicinity, the past week
would have been numbered among
the dullest Of our eriods Of sumner
stupidity. Her visit excited the Gu
riosity Of all the ladies, helped us to
little gossip, aud possible sensa-
ton for the future. The lady has not
honored Washington With her pres
ence. She made her headquarters
with friends in Alexandria, and the
Capital quite poured itself out in
continuous stream Of homage TO her
She was visited by hundreds of ladies.
They went by the boats and by the
cars, in parties Of Eve, in parties of
ten, in parties Of twenty. Each day
of her stay in Alexandra her house
was throDged with aduiring people,
and whether their pilgrimage was to
pay homage, TO console, or to crafty
curiosity. or each and all of these,
they succeeded In appropriating her
personal attention without much in
terval during her stay.
Mrs. Lee is in6rm from a severe
rheumatic affection. Indeed, she is
well nigh helpless, having no use Of
her limbs for locomotiun. She sits
in chair that is mounted on wheels,
and is moved about as necessity re-
quires. Except her inability to walk
she is in apparently sound health,
and is exceedingly handsome and
sprightly. Her harris perfectly white,
but is plentiful and glossy, and does
not make her look old. Her face is
bright, free from wrinkles or care
marks, and full fife aud expression
She is over sixty, but looks much
younger. She talks much and well
but cautiously.
She sent for al the old servants,
whs were manumitted by her fathers
will, and most of them visited her
They were all delighted to see bel
again. 1t was their FIRST opportunity
since they were freed, and they all
take little PRIZE in having resided al
Arlington. She talked to them very
kindly, questioned them as to their
present condition, expressed her graf.
ificstion that they were all comforta
BILE and doing we'll, and gave them
each little keepsake.
The servants wero very fond ofMr
GUSTS, their original owner, aud they
we're much attached to Mrs, Lee, but
for Master Bob" thay did not cher
ish unbounded admiration. They
we're all aware of the provision Of Mr.
GUSTS will giving them freedom; bu
they became possessed of the belle
that the General did not design to
carry out the command of his father
in-law, but that he intended to senC
them to Rich ond and have them sold
Therefore they went with great dis
trust, and when they reached Their
destination, where they we're sent tC
find employment, were in grief an
terror; grief for having been takeI
from the only home they had evel
known, and terror from the fear o.
being PUT upon the block Of the auc
tioneer. Their apprehensioas were
groundless, however, as places were
presently found for them. With the
close OF the war they came back, ant
all who have survived are enjoying
their civil rights under the shadow o.
the Capital. The Arlington servantI
were more than usually intelligent
Many of them we're taught to read
and one ofthem, now grown to woman
hood developed such talent for N usic
that she is now leader in the cho il
of one Of the colored churches, sing
at their concerts, aud is quite primd-
donna.
But to come back to the mistress
During her stay at Alexandra, she
made one visit to Arlington. She rod e
up in carriage, but, being helpless
she was not able to get out and &c
through The house. She commented
upon the appearance Of the grounds
around the maDsiou, and thought they
had been greatly improved. This sh'
might safely admit, as the flower gar
dens are carefully tended, and there
are miles Of mac damned drives, com
handing the finest views. She cravec
a bunch of flowers, which was given
her, but the attendant was wholly 40
conscious that the lady to whom be
presented them was, in more forum
ate days, the dispenser of such court
estes at Arlington. - Washington Ere
nina Chronicle