The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-11-06
Mrs. Fremont's "reminiscences.

We doubt not that many readers Of the
IErELIloESCER are perusiug the charm.
ing papers that are appearing in Harpzs
Maga=iRt from the pen Of Mrs. Fremonh
This lady was pretty we'll known in
Wheeling few years sgo-duriug the
War-at that time she spent a por ton of
-the Sear 1862 in our midst. In Harper's
for November, she gives US the following
sketch other early home life under the
roof Of her distinguished father, Thomas
q. Benton.
Our house in " ashington was headquar-
tiers for the varied interests from all these
places, while about mother there collect
ed and shaped iLseli circle which formed
for many yesrs really 1alOa, 10 be broken
up only By her loss OF health.
This life rubbed out many little preju-
dies, and fitted US better than any resd-
ing conld have done TO comprehend the
necessary differences and equal merits Of
different people, and that although differ.
ent, each could be right. The manner in
which my father taught us also led US up
10 the same ideas.
The French language Was necessity,
and that We acquired without any trouble,
because We hal nurse who began it with
US IS soon as We could speak; whatever
goveTness or teacher We had, my father
always was our real teacher, my mother
reserVihg one day and one lire OF lnstruc-
ton, which, like the red strand in English
naval colors, marked US for her own.
While in Washington We had our rou.
tine Of studies and town life; in New Or.
leans my elder sister and myself rose to
the proportion OF members of society, for
my fathers clients when on their visits to
Washington were pleased to have us for
their little interpreters, and when We
would be in New Orleans they would
insist on treating Us IS grown people,
inviting Us formally to dinners, where We
would be taken IN formally BY grown
gentlemen and sit through the whole en-
tertainment There was great inherited
wealth among these planters; they were
generally educated in Paris, and, with the
combined resources Of climate, TASTE and
wealth, their mode Of living was beautiful
a. well as luxurious.
In st. Louis, where our house stood
among Its large trees in Equare Of its
own, We had to large degree pleasant
outdoor life. Our lessons we're always
given on the broad gallery running
around the house, and in every way We
had great deal Of open air lie; but our
true delight in out OF doors was only to
Be had at my grandfatheE's place in Nir-
GINA. When going there from Washing.
ton We used no public conveyance beyond
Fredericksburg. There the carnage and
saddle horses met Us, my mother as we'll
as my father often making the Journey
back on horseback, while the carriase
was there for us children and for her 10
return to when tired-a London built
travelling coach, which gave all the rest
one looked tor-larRe, hIgh-swuug, and
with so many springs that the iolting
from the execrab!e roads vas greatly les.
sened.
The interval between the close Of the
long session and the winter was too short
for the long, tedious journey to St. Louis
and back. We only made that on alter.
nate years alter the short session, when
high water gave Us large steamboats, and
comfortable transportation for our little
crowd. What We do now in two days,
required then several weeks.
Ny father knew no plan Of life that
separated him from his family, so We led
this charming nomadie existence, with its
fixed points in such contrast to the troub.
le Of travel and distance between them.
Washington was in one way work, and
St Louis and New Orleans had their
sides Of political work and his duties "a a
lawyer. But it was all holiday here, and
my father enjoyed it thoroughly. Espec.
tally he enjoyed the autumn shooting.
The birds were most plentiful in certain
large Wheat-felds, which In their warm
tinis Of stubble undula,ed'over the south
face Of the hills, the trees OF the aIittle
orchard" and the park making a good
screen 10 the north.
Here and there through tie fields were
good apple trees; under one oil these We
would rest and eat our luncheon Of bis
GuAt AAA sJnlG lIulb AAASil lEOtu inc lESG
above US; and then my father would take
a book from his pocket, usually classic
in French tranSlAtion, from which he
would read aloud for me to translate.
There we're plenty oiideas, even words,
that / did not understand. Ifithad been
n description Of the steam engine, l
shouId have gone through il with equal
good will and docility, but much Of il re.
manned in my memory, and grew into
Ii. Hard words and hard ideas tired my
mind, as the long tramps and ploWed
fields tired my young feet; but with time
I grew used 10 both, and the benefit Of
both remained with me-these long sun.
ny mornings were the most delightful
phase in which my lessons came. In
winter ] had my corner at the library
table. No matter how good our teachers |
we're. my father had Us prepare our les.