The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-04-25
Mrs. Myra Clarke Gaines.

Mrs. Gaines tho plucky little claimant
ol large slice Of valuable ground in tha
heart Of the city of New Orleans, is one
of the notable persons Of the congression.
al season in this city, and may be seen,
almost any fair day, fitting along the
corridors IF the capitol or through the
Railways Of Wizards hotel with the
elastic step of a girl Of sixteen. For
nearly halfcentury this indefatgabe
lady has been before the public ss li,j.
giant, and her extended experience 10
courts and among lawyers. as we'll as Il
tho prominent men Of the day since tho
administration Of Andrew Jackson, has
enriched her mind with e fund of infor-
nation in the way of personal reminis.
cences, incidents. and anecdotes of the
career of men who have long since
passed away: She was on terms Of
friendship with Clay, Webster, Calhoun,
and Benton, and mingled in tho old.tms
society of Washington city.
She has been f9tiug this great NOR.
al battle" as she calls it, for forty-iour
years, and uow, GU ihc ascending scale
beyond sixty.nine years, she says that
she expects ultimate success, although
it be gained over pathway Strewn with
the bleaching bones of many lawyers.
Judge Paschal and Jeremiah Black are
her lawyers at present, and through their
efforts decision has been recently Oh.
tanned lu the supreme court of the Uni.
ted States, taking the case from :he state
courts of Louisiana, which from local in.
fueDces are uplriendiy to her cause, ,e
the United States circuit courts. Tie
| whole amount involved will reach to
from $4,000 600 to S20,O00,0O0, and Il
she finally succeeds in gaining posscssic L
OF this prinely sum Of money, to use h.i
own language she will "scatter it who,
it will do the most good"
She relates with much gusto a little
incident that occurred at presidentia
reception, some years ago, which she at
tended under the escort Of an English
gentleman Lord Lyons was prescrS
on the occasion and her Engisi
friend proposed an introduction, and Il
that end asked her to advance toward hi,
lordship for the purpose. The little lady
drew herself up in offended dignity. arc
promptly replied "Sir, American ladic,
never advance Tor introduction !" and sC
the matter ended A few evenings after
ward, she met Lord Lyons at reception
a. Secretary Stewards, when he was pre-
sentod in due form, and at the same tint
uniformed Of the grave mistake made hJ
his oountrymsD. She is perfectly al
home in politics, law. and religion, Dr.
believes that Gen. Bristow is the conin!
tonant Of the White House.
Mrs. Gaines has short, delicate fgu G
which is always arrayed in a ncat.Gttin.
black silk walking.dress. A jaunty ha
with white waving plume usually adorn
her we'll shaped head, which is erowDet
with wealth Of auburn hair worn il
fri2zels around in front. Her feature
are small aud delicate, und her complex
leu retains d snoothncss ard freshnea
rarely found in advanced uge. Her es q
are dark and lustroua. aud twinkle viii
good hupor in chatty conversation. Sr
has peculiar laugh, which, wh
once heard, can never be forgotten. A
together she is remarkable woman, tai
OF push, energy, aud vitality, aud few b
her sex could have bat,led SO long IN til
lace of almost insurmountable difficultir,
ana it is evident there is 10 such word A
fail in her vocabulary H'sshingto
Correspondence of N.w York Graphic.