The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-09-17

we term a strong-minded woman. }
But she was far removed from that
questionable honor. The late Thomas
4 H. Benton, in q book which is much
better monument of his memory than
the bronze abortion in Lafayette park,
gives charming picture of "Aunt
Rachel, +" as he eaffectionately called her.
In this sketch, drawn by a loving hand,
/ she is represented as an extremity mod
est and unassuming person, who never
lost her native simplicity of thought
and action in attempting to keep pace
with the rising fortunes of her hus-
| band. When the most brilliant tri-
umph of the war had lifted him high
above all competition, and when that
triumph had been supplemented by
his election to the first Office in the
gift of his countrymen, she was the
same amiabIe, sensible, and unaf-
fected woman as when they lived
together in log cabin and had moth
to distinguish them from their hum
blest neighbors. To her he was never
''the general'' but always "Mr. Jack
son. and she valued his wonderful
success in life for the pleasure it gave
him, and not for the glory reflected up
on her. A sincere and ardent Chris
tian, fond wife, true friend, cons
tant and liberal benefactor of the poor,
God and man, and found therein her
highest happiness. All who knew her
loved Aunt Rachel, as such women,
from their rarity, deserve to be loved
and when she died there was mourn
ing, not only in the stately Hermit
age" but in every negro hut for miles
around.
jackson, as we have remarked, never
entirely rallied from the blow which
his wife's death Inflicted. He went to
the White House in many respects a
changed man. He laid aside, to a
great extent, those tremendous oaths
which used to make the air of Tennes-
see turn blue; he grew softer, tenderer,
more ready to forgive than in former
years, and was, for her sake, the firm
and indomitabIe champion of all SLAM
dered women. He broke up his cabi-
net in sustaining Mrs. Eaton, and
would never listen to or countenance
any of that so-called gossip" which
delights in insinuations against female
virtue. But his wife was pure, and he
believed-and was proud to believe
all herseX as pure as she. He wore
next to his heart an oId-fashioned
miniature of his lost darling, and each
night before retiring he laid it on the
table beside the bed, SO that he might
look at it while reading chapter in the
Bible. Their ashes repose side by side,
and, if there be such thing as reunion
beyond the confines of the tomb, sure
ly their souls are blended in the land
where death never comes, nor any
sickness nor sorrow, but where love is
immortal as He who gave it.
DETERMINED TO GET AN ANSWER.
A tall, portly, dignified citizen of the
Quaker persuasion, we'll known in
Philadelphia, arrived in New York the
other day, having no baggage but
light travelling satchel, was utterly OBJ
livious to the appeals of the hackmen
as he emerged from the railway sta
ton.
tFee-thay anoo hotel! Fifth av-
enoo-go in ritup! Fifth avenoo ?o
Broadbrim stalked right on without
a word. Another knight of the whip
charged down upon him.
ttSay Nicholas hotel Say Nicholas
hotel coach? This way for the s. Mich
oIas !"
No response from the passenger, and
not muscle moved at this appeal.
Then there was rush of half a dozen.
'Kerrage, sir, kerrage? Wanter ride
''Winsur house! Whose going up to
the Winsur ?'
''Astor House, sir?n
'sBreevoiG House /? Breevoit?-
Metropolitan Hotel ~ Fright down
Broadway ?"-stEre you are, kerridge,
sir ?''
The traveller Ioomed up like atenpin
among vinegar cruets. and with face as
placid as pan of milk, was calmly
and silently moving away from the
crowd of jarvies, who looked after him
something like amusement, when 8
sudden thought seemed to strike one,
who, running after him, seized hold of
one ofthe handles of his travelling bag
'tDeaf and Dumb Asylum, sir? Go
ing right up.n
This was too much. Dignity relax
ed into laugh, and the driver got a
fare for down town hotel.