Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-04-25
MRS. GAINES.
An Interview with the Celebrated New
Orleans Heiress.

An Interview with the Celebrated New
Orleans Heiress.
| was not long since on my way to
Greenfield, Mass, when my attention
was attracted by n little woman in the
seat on the opposite side of the car from
where | was sitting. She was apparently
about fifty years of age (though in fact
much older, of sandy complexion, regu-
lar features, pleasing, sprightly expires
sion of cOuntenance, short, Hegtlge curls
sprinkled with gray, plainly dressed il
black, rather travel-worn. yet quick in
movement and restlessly tidgeting, |
thought, about the station where she
wanted to stop, which proved to be
South Deeriield.
With my accustomed politeness to the
fair sex of whatever age or condition, as
soon as l comprehended the cause of her
perplexity | took my Pathfinder" and
leaning across the aisle said to her: "lt
is at South Deerfield that you wish to
stop, is it, MADAME
She at once arose from her place, came
over to the seat Immediately in front of
me (Which then happened to be vacanD,
and, sitting down with perfect ease and
possession, answered: Eyes, | have
telegraphed my son, who lives some five
or six miles away, to meet me at South
Deerfield. | left New Orleans several
days ago, and am on my way to visit
my son, who met charming young lady
at the Northampton water-cure, where
we were staying some time ago, and
married her, and he now lives at Aver.
| am Mrs. General Gaines, with whose
history you may, perhaps, be somewhat
acquainted, as | have been brought into
rather undue prominence before the pub
lie for some years past"
She talked on in easy, rapid, self-pOs-
seSsed manner, giving me hurried
sketch of her contest with her opponents
in the great lawsuit for the New Orleans
property, gradually warming up Gas she
found me willing listener) and pouring
forth a steady streamof wit, sentiment,
and eloquence, rich, racy and rare, that
quite overpOwered me.
EYES," she said with the frankness
and unreserve of a woman of the world,
who has mingled with men and become
familiar with all phases of society, " |
showed them what little woman could
do, l gained my case after thirty years
of toll and trouble, and opposition of all
kinds and from all quarters. gained
my suit. 1t was noble udge from your
own Massachusetts, that gave the decis-
ion, and q splendid decision it was,
covering the whole ground and so clear
and so exhaustive that everybody APP
proved of it. All said it was right and
just. gained 100000 by it.
But, said I, do you really expect
to get possession of the property and &C
tually recover the full amountPn
%The United States Marshall she re-
piled, stands ready to put me in pos
session. But when these poor people
come to me, and, with tears in their eyes
pleadingly ask, Mrs. Gaines, what shall
we do?' / tell them justice has tri-
umphed. You prosecuted me for thirty
years, but have gained my case. Now
mercy comes to the front. Go home tC
your property. I will appeal to the
legislature to adopt some system of re-
lief. | am willing to compromise fol-
$2,400,000 in ten-year installments.
have pledged myself, as thank-offerine
to my Maker, who has given me success
to spend the rest of my days in doing al
the good | can. | have shown then
what little woman can do in an I'm.
usual and uncongenial sphere. Is il not
always so? As Christian civilization
progresses woman comes to the front.
And she rose from her seat with the in
SEPARATION of her theme. "And now,
said she, Il tell them l am going t.
show them how little woman can re
form the politicians.
| laughed heartily at the idea and die
not hesitate to intimate, very plainly
that she would find that much harder
job than conquering in the Gaines suit
"I'll tell you how I'll do it," said she
g have not moved in Washington so
ciety for nothing. know its weaknesse
and its strength, its ms and outs, its dis
ease and its remedy. I'll build mann
moth hotel in Washington and I'll max
the terms so low that no member of Con
gress shall have an excuse for not bring
ing his wife with him, that they ma,
thus fulfill the legitimate destin
which God designed for them; and thu
the fostering evil which gnaws at til
very vitals of society at the capital c
the nation will be cured"
Thus she went on, not in blase man
ner, for though she talked rapidly, an
gesticulated, and stood up and move
about, it was all so properly and grace
fully done that the other passengers ha
no suspicion who the speaker was, O
what was. the subject of our converse
, tion.-Henry Livingstone, IN Boston Goa
rter.