The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-11-25
PRESIDENT POLK'S WIDOW.

FRESlDEN1 IVLA WIVVWs
..rsEJ 't'., ,--4--t.l .i9lsti 3@Ll Sc
A VISIT TO ONE OF THE MOTHERS or
THE NATIoN--TENNEssEE's HoMAGE
TO HER FAMOUS SONS. :ftg,,os a,s
One of the cosy, shady streets Of
Nashville, the Boston of the South,
in an old fashioned mansion of red
brick, with wide, deep windows, and
a mammoth-pillared piazza jutting
out like the bold forehead of the ia
nous man that once lived there, is
the house Of Mrs. James Knox Polk,
widow of the tenth president of the
United States-one Of the mothers of
the nation. A slender, graceful old
lady, with snow-white neckerchief
and folds of curls that lie pat on
each side of her brow. She is ,76
years old, but her figure is as straight
her step as quick and her eyes as
bright as the eyes of a girl; active in
every benevolent scheme generous
to an extreme, hospitable according
to the traditions of Kentucky lospi-
tality, and as courtly as a queen. In
Nashville, a few days ago, the house
was pointed out to me, and, descrip-
ton of the old lady given, with the
remark that she liked to receive all
strangers. So ! thought I would
pay my respects, to rr =; ap,4 ...
~. THE WIDOW OF A PRESIDENT, ~
And about monday I entered the
gate of ''the Polk. place. and went
up the long gravel walk that leads to
the house. The yard is laid out in
the old-fashioned style, with flower
beds in different designs, borders Of
box and shrubs Of different sorts
placed at mathematical Intervals
An old-fashioned brass knocker as
bright as mirror, asked entrance
| for me, and bent, rickety old. negro
woman answered the summons,
els Mrs, Polk at home?" '
eyes, sab; will you step in, sab
Missus Polk is at home, sab, but was
just gwine out, sab, and she's boun'
to go bout this time. Take a chair
sah."
She led me into an old-fashioned
parlor, with shell Of all sorts on the
.mantel and chintz curtains with large
flowery figures hung before the win
dows. On the walls were portraits
of men in wigs and military uniforms
: Of the old regime, and women will
high, powdered hair and ruffles, will
a few antique prints and half faded
landscapes. The furniture was hea
Wy mahogany and exquisitely carvee
and Che carpet, half-covered Will
, canvas, was a relic Of ancient ele
, gance. Twas able only to glance a
f things for a monent after the servan
. left. Mrs. Polk entered and extend
: ing her hand cordially said: '@''
!, 81 see you are a stranger, SIR bu
$ 1 am happy to see you nevertheless
People call every day to see me,
= said she laughing, 'sto see how a VIC
man lives that lived in the Whit
0 House once, and 1 value the after
ton very highly" DIS 3 p ti9!
Thanked her, and attempted t
s explain and apologized for my intrr
t sion, but she tapped her hand imp:
o tiently with her parasol, and said:
It ''The apology is on my part, ST
u for I Unjust beg yout to excuse me.
Il have an appointment at this hour
l, is quite imperative I should meet,
e I would be pleased to entertain yo'
l. I pray you will excuse me, and mall
d yourself as much at home in m
house and on my grounds as if
it were here. My servants will sho
a you what people. generally wish
4 see. They are accustomed to seer
1t strangers, sir; eha! ha! quite accu
at toned to it, I assure you.'
le Itwas something ! had read abo
t. this graceful, old-fashioned courtes
g. but never saw before real illu
re tration of afn9h o: troll qwa
u THE MANNERS OF THE REPUBLIC.
w .ilis4 II q IN COURT. 3ea } Il
ed And as I escorted the nimble' {
49, lady to her carriage, she chat
away as cordially as if she was r
A grandmother, and Insisted upon
$: calling again. Her riding dress v
so of the shiny silken material that {
on Z sees at old folks concerts; black, a
he cut long-waisted, with a plain belt
- corded ribbon. At her necktwa