The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-09-18
"BIa BOY OF SIX POUNDS"

time, for the stairs OF both flights seemed
but four or five inches each in height
but we were not so exalted above meas.
ure as thus to indicate our own pedal su-
periority. At the head of the first flight
in the sewing-room stood the diminutive
Wheeler & Wilson sewing machine, q
wedding present, fifteen years ago, from
that enterprising firm, who at their own
expense caused this exquisitely pearl.
inlaid and panel-painted plaything to
precede the little travellers, in every land
they visited around the globe. 1t is Q
plaything in size alone, Mrs. Stratton
making it do good service to the present
day. In the front entry over the en-.
trance was the Generals grand piano.
about two feet high, one of his pastors
fingers striking three of the keys at once,
and with difficulty covering only one. Il
was made in England, and cost $500, be.
ing inlaid with pearl and richly gilded
and enamelled. But the General was
"out of practice" indeed, chad given uI
playing altogether" Perhaps our great.
est treat was the inspection of
THElR OWN APARTMENT.
Here were the Penates. Admitted into
the penetralia, we must not transcend
prerogative, but may be permitted tc
write that here everything is adapted tc
themselves alone. Bureau, cabinet
dressing table, sofa, chairs and bed were
all diminutive; the last elaborately
carved from ebony, and richly canopied
in damask and lace, gift from his father
We were 10th to leave this sat generis
room-we should never again behold its
like. But we feared to weary our most
complaisant host and hostess, and hasten
ed ON through guest-rooms sumptuously
appointed. Stay, before we left his room
the General displayed his Masonic rega.
lia and jewels, donned his plumed
Knights Templar chapeau, unsheathed
his swords-which last the little Madam
observed that she feared more than the
burglars they might threaten-and ex-
hibited his ministerial coat" with its
velvet collar and tight-buttoning breast,
too Lilliputian, it seemed, even for him.
Ascending to the third story, we saw the
gilded iron-bedstead surmounted with a
crown, which he formerly took with him
in his celibate days. Then we enjoyed
his delight in leading by two points an
antagonist in short game of billiards on
his Phelan and Collander table, made
expressly for him, all so tiny. Thence
we descend to the stable-hosts and
guests forgot the kitchen 1.-THE most in
teresting part of the house." the General
said.
HIS CARRIAGES ARE CURIosITIEs.
The public are familiar with the Eng
lish coach, and the vehicle in the form
of an English walnut. He has lately re-
ceiyed from the New Haven maker an
elegant landau, scarcely breast-high, all
its patterns having to be made expressly,
and costing $500. 1t suggests great COM
fort for the doll-like occupants. In the
harness-room was the little saddle on
which the General rode when six years
old, in the play at the French theatres
the seat was span long, and from the
centre of the seat to the edge of one OF
the flaps but trife more than span.
We could scarcely crowd two fingers into
the stirrup. Out in the yard were
"Blackman" and Daddy" his Shetland
ponies, twenty-three years old, the latter
with one eye blinded by his pugnacious
brother; separated by stout fence, for
not yet have these toy horses learned to
agree. Daddy" followed us like dog
the ponies are scarcely larger than q
great Observation-Disclosures ate Porter ap-
Piles from our hands. Major Newell de-
scribed their alacrity in boarding railroad
trains, walking up the plank with appa.
rent enjoyment. They are good trav.
ellers on the road, sometimes making
forty miles day. In their stalls, which
were neatly trimmed by John, the ex.
cellent keeper, with straw-braid, were 8
span of larger Shetlands, which the Gen
eral frequently drives to town in his little
buggy. Sometimes he appears there
driving large express wagon, into and
out of which he is lifted by others
Perched upon, the box holding taut the
reins, few objects are more grotesque
than he. By this time supper was pre-.
pared, TO which we had been Hospitality
pressed to remain. The hostess assigned
each guest a seat according to the strict.
est etiquette, and taking a chair higher
than the rest, like that preferred by
carvers, the blessing having been asked
by one of the ministers at the Generals
request, she poured out the tea.
THE SILVER SERVICE
and China tea-set were of the usual size
Adjoining the dining.room walls were
photographs of the parents, brothers and
sisters of our hosts, representing persons
rather above the average height and
weight. Our enjoyment of this English
supper, as Mrs. Stratton designated the
viands, was marred by the attempt of 9
drunken peddler, who had boldly driven
up the carriageway, to force an entrance
into the house. He "wished to see Tom
Thumb" he said. The servants and Mr.
Bump, Mrs. Stratton's father, prevented
the intrusion, not without bitter con.
hict, which drew the gentlemen from the
table. All this while the little lady sal
with the utmost composure. After sup.
per our pleasure was enhanced by the
presence of her
ESTIMABLE PARENTS.
The family name is from the French, Bon
Passe, corrupted to "Bumpus," several
families of which name reside in this
county, and finally into "Bump." The
great family Bible was unclasped; one Of
the ministers read an appropriate Sc
lection, and all knelt in prayer, in which
blessings were invoked on the household,
and thanks returned for their preserva-
ton in their many travels; and they were
commended to the care of a guiding Prov
idence in their contemplated tour.
Gathering around the piano, one of our
ladies played and sang, at the Generals
desire and for the first time that the fam
lily circle had heard it, the song CON-
memorating the death of Minnie War
rem, and dedicated to her friends. Tear
were in their eyes at its conclusion.
We left Mr.. and Mrs. Stratton, her pa
rents, and Maj. Newell, standing on the
piazza waving their farewells, and drove
out into the night homeward with many
pleasurable thoughts.