Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-11-19

tho care and education of her grand.
children. In afiluent circumstances,
and the possessor Of much real estate
in this city, she spared no trouble or
expense in their education. The style
in which sbc livod after her return
from Spain, the snmptuousness OF her
toilrts, and her great beauty, which
even at sixty was still remarkable, are
matters OF tradition in Washington.
"l have never seen any one so beau
tiful, says an old resident; "and when
she drove out ia carriage with four
horses and lveried servants, there was
nothing in Washington to compare
with hcr equipage, not even the Presi-
dents own. She was very gay and
fond of display"
/ Mrs. Eaton in early life united with
the Foundry Methodist church, and
was held in the highest estimation by
tho members of that congregation.
That church was poor when she joined
IL. Mcthodism was not then popu-
lar creed, and those who professed 1t
encountered obstacles and trials in tho
adherence TO their faith which they do
not meet now. Mrs. Eaton was not
consistent member SO far as obedience
TO the discipline was concerned. That
excellent code OF regulation for the
government OF a religious body strictly
iorbids "the putting on Of gold and
costly apparel" but she was rotcd for
the elegance and sumptuousness OF her
dress. The discipline forbds dancing,
and she, passlonately fond Of that
amusement, pursued it with zeal and
pleasure. But she was very liberal,
not alono to the church as an organi-
zation, but TO individuals, and her
charity with those Of her own "house-
hold in faith" more than covered such
triflipg sins as fondness for dancing
and good clothes OF Mrs. Ea.
tons charities, profuse, unostentatious,
whole-souled, the record would fill
many volumes. Hers was tender
heart and it kept her purse-striDgs al.
ways loosened. For years she was
the Lady Bountiful of her neighbor,
hood, and her sympathies were never
appealed TO in vain. Nor did she
wait to be called upon for aid Her
benevoence was OF that broad, deep,
active kind that sought occasion for
Its exercise. 1t was q custom with
her TO hunt up cases of suffering, and
many has been the cheerloss hearth
that her fuel has transformed 10 light
and warmth and comfort; many the
empty larder that her open. handed
ness has filed many the Ill clad form
that garments from her have clothed.
Nor was it in cases of material suffer-
ing alone that her presence consoled
and her kindness relieved. She assist.
ed the struggling to rise, and pointed
ont the way Of succor when no mere
earthly consolation availed. Many
were the converts whom this ambitious
woman, this queen of society, this
arbitress Of political dcstines, has
brought to the altar Of the Foundry
church when she found all other efforts
at relief were vain, and that the dis
ease required the Great Physicians
prescription. 1t would be both uHkind
and impolitic TO mention names, but
there are many prominent citizens Of
Washington to-day, happy and we'll
to-do, whom the generous kindness of
Mrs. Eaton raised from the gloom of
poverty and ignorance to the radiance
of happy afiluence.
Among the teachers whom Mrs.
Eaton engaged for her grandchildren
was one Antonio Buchignani, who
gave lessons in dancing and deport-
ment. He is still remembered in this
city as an exceeding handsome man.
He served for a time as Librarian of
Congress. Mrs. Eaton not only en-
ployed him for her own children, hut
by the prestige Of her patronage she
made him the fashion, aided him pc
cunlarily, and took him to live in her
family. With an iniatuation TO which
her subsequent misfortune might be
traced, she married him, boy not
twenty one, and lived with him fvo
years. They removed to New York,
where she established him in business.
In spite Of marriage contract which
had secured her property to herself, hc
finally got it all, personal and real es-
tate, into his own hands, and eloped
with the granddaughter, Emily Ran
dolph. They went to Europe. Mrs.
Eaton procured an immediate divorce,
and returned TO her old home in this
city, where she has ever since resided.
Broken in health and in spirits, she
was for long time sadly changed.
During these last years of her life she
has, however, regained much Of her
animation, and any one who has
met her Of late years must have mar
yelled at the wonderful elasticity OF
spirit and the brave cheerfulness with
which she lived out the twilight of
once brilliant life. She talked brill
iantly and well, and had many remi-
niscences Of the notable people Of the
past. General jackson was her hero,
as well he might be. Mrs. Jackson
sho describes as q large, portly
woman with sweet benevolent face,
who always insisted on having pray
ers." When she came here she
received in her parlors, and the
open. handed hospitality of the Her
mitage was transferred 10 Wash
ington. Mrs Eaton describes visit
to the Hermitage how the many sorv-
ants were cared for as though they
were children, and the proverbial hos.
pitalty of the house. Gen. Jackson's
inconsolable grief after the death of
his wife is well known. Missed from
the dinner table one day by his guests,
Mrs. Eaton was finally sent 10 seek
him, and found him in the garden
where his wife was buried. In q passion
Of grief he had thrown himself down
on the tomb. OF his Characteristic
hate Of affeciation, she relates an in.
stance. Among the guests at dinner
party, at the Hermitage, was Judge
Of the court of Tennessee, with wife
whose head bad been quite turned by
q season in Washington. Present also
was brother of the lady's, who had
been tailor, which fact was carefully
ignored. Tho lady's airs and graces
grew insufferable, and finally General
Jackson pricked the bubble OF herpridc
by saying TO the brother, "You know
| really never had comfortable coat
on my back since you quit tailoring
Mrs. Eaton remembered with all the