The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-12-13
ABIGAIL ADAMS:

ABIGAIL ADAMS:
Abigail Adams was the daughter
and granddaughter OF clergymen; ana
her marriage, at the age OF twenty,
with John Adams, who raised her to
the proudest height the country
knows, was considered not at all
flattering one at the time. She found
great happiness, nevertheless, during
the ten years that her husband prac-
tised his profession before he was
elected a delegate to Philadelphia ana
launched upon a sea OF daring ana OF
trouble. After her husband depart
ure, and in all his many and bitter aD-
sences. alone, and with a hostile SOL
diery near her. she managed his farm,
took care of the poor, buried her DEAD,
taught her children. and pursued her
own studies; for, always OF delicate
health, she had never been sent TO
school, although. reading eagerly ana
according to her tastes, she had per-
haps cultivated herself to much more
purpose than instructors could nave
done. Her husband was absent from
her. save for an occasional visit, Ior
the greater part of four years. after
which he was sent to France, BRUSH
man-of-war lying in wait for the ntJle
vessel that carried him and his eldeSC
bov: and she was left again. with her
young family alone in time OF war,
surrounded by armed enemies, with
narrow meaus, unable to hear from
her husband for many months, ana
with his parting injunction to cheer
her, ''In danger fly to the woods.
Every wife will know how great was
the sacrifice that Abigail Adams daily
made in that year and Il half.
On Mr.. Adams return he was I'M
mediately dispatched again to Europe,
this time to negotiate peace, ana IL
was not till six years afterWard that
she was able to join him; when she
spent quiet year in France before
assuming her position rs VIE OF the
first American Minister at the Court
of st. James. He was very well re-
ceived there at first by the King and
Queen, but afterwards some ranking
ill-feeling on their part, concerning
the loss of the colonies, OccaSlOned
her discomfort, and she was eager TO
return home afer three years OF court
life, although, as it proved, 1T was on
ly to make her appearance again IN
public life within year time. as
the wefe of the Vice-President. Her
health, however, that had failed I'M
der the strain of all these years and
experiences, prevented her entering
very fully into the festivities, either
when at her residence OF Richmond
Hill or at Philadelphia. at last her
husband was chosen to the Presidency;
the seat of government was removed
to Washington, Il mere sketch OF Il
city in q swamp, and Mrs. Adams was
the first lady of the White House.
The White House, very spacious
and elegant one then, and still Suffi-
cient for all republican uses, was but
half finished when she entered 1.-THE
plaster scarcely dry, the paint yet
green, the grounds numbered with
building materials; the roads in every
direction were mud-sloughs, and all
the OUTLYING world was a wilderness.
There was not even an Enclosure tor
drying clothes near the house. ana
Mrs. Adams had the great, unfinished
audience-chamber, now known us the
East Room, used for that purpose,
and held her drawing-rooms i'll the
room now used as the library of the
private family. Mrs. Adams followed
the ceremonious fashion of Mrs.
Washington; and, although she was
but four months III the White House,
leaving it on account of the intermit-
tent fever prevailing in that locality,
She established the routine of ETH
Quette that has since prevailed there,
which, varied frequently by individu.
al fancy, usually returns to much .the
old custom.
Mrs Adams old age. was passed in
pleasant retirement. from which she
always kept aHvely outlook on affairs
She lived to see her son Secretary OF
State. and had her life been spared q
little longer she would have seen him
inheriting his fathers honors as Pres
ident. She died at the age of seven
ty-four. and her husband survived
her but six years.
Although not beautiful, Mrs. Ad
ans was agreeable and elegant in ap
pearance. and astrong resemblance tt
her is borne even by her grandchildren
in the third degree. She was grea
woman-great III intellect inpurpose
in patience, and great in triumph.