The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-04-19
li9ns, !, indispensable, whether in or out Of

A few years after this, Mr.. Marcy was
residing at the Hotel Sans Souci in Ball |
ston Spa, in the summer, and my family
were guests in the same house. The
alarm was given that Mr.. Marcy was
dead He had just come in from a walk,
and lying down upon the bed, expired.
The room was soon filed with the board
ers, physician was summoned: he search
ed for signs Of life and asked one of the
ladies of my family to place her hand over
his heart, as her more delicate touch might
detect its throb. All was still. His eyes
were wide open, and she closed them.
In the course Of the week Mrs. Pierce
was to hold leyee, and she was so kind
as to request me to assist in the reception.
A few minutes before II M, the appointed
hour, the President called for me, and we
went into the East Room awaiting Mrs.
Pierce, and the opening Of the doors for
company. We walked up and down the
long apartment In silence his thoughts /
do not know; but mine were such as these
-"What sublime position does this man
hold the chosen Chief Magistrate Of one
Of the most powerful nations on earth in
a few moments the doors will open, and
ambassadors from distant kingdoms. sena-
tors, scholars, "fair women and brave
iaen Will enter, pay their respects and
retire. As such reflections were in nv
mind, he laid his hand on my shoulder
and, as IT he OWNED my thoughts, remark
ed "After all, man who can preach
the gospel, and win men to Christ, holds
the highest office on earth
In few minutes we were 10 position,
receiving the distinguished company
The day was brilliant, the dresses were
elegant morning costumes, the company
included representatives of many courts
and peoples. Mr.. Pierce was a gentleman
OF graceful manners, and Mrs. Pierce
very delicate in health, was an accomplish.
ed woman of the highest personal worth
Sad, almost melancholy, she shrank frcu
such q scene, in which duty held her but
she would be equal to her position.
Two lads were presented, strangers anC
, unattended She greeted them kindly
/ almost tenderly, and as they turned ava,
she looked at me with eyes full of tears
and said, softly, "Ah, those boys, thos,
, dear boys" Aud there in the midst o
, all the splendor Of that scene, with fashion
pride and state around her, the vision O
D her boy, her lost boy, her only child, ha,
t entered the hall, and her poor heart diet
r within her as she thought of him and he
} buried love. She trembled as with aI
: ague, and, at my suggestion, sat dow
until she regained composure.
c During the week that passed in th
f Pfeident's house, heard less of party an
r politics than would be heard in day oul
J. side. At table, when leading statesme
t were present, with conflicting views q
n public questions, it was proper to ayoi
/ such topics as would provoke discussion
+ The conversation was, for the most par
t on live subjects in literature, art, philost
c ply, and the progress of the age. 4,
g Senator n. p. Tallmadgc, of Dutehe:
a county, n. H., who became Spiritualist
5 had recently put forth a volume Of reyela
d tons from statesmen and others in ii
o spirit-world. After dinner, extracts wer
!, read by these living statesmen from Ii
utteranecs Of Madison, Calhoun aud otl
IS ers, aud the general impression was tht
l. they had amazingly degcnerated In Int
= leetual force by their change Of stat
IS Even Mr.. Tallmadge, it was remarke,
), must have softened, or he could not has
e edited such twaddle and thought it sens,
y The Sabbath at the White House W,
0 wholly devoted to such pursuits as woul
IS mark Christian home in New Englan,
/ No company was received We went
church twice. The reading and convel
sation were in keeping with the day
the evening had long conversation wit
a MIR. Pierce on the subject always uppcl
n most in her mind the boy that Die,
! She told me-but | cannot feel it to
f proper to write the words of fond motl
]. er, whose life was blighted in the hour {
t her brightest hope.
c Mr.. and Mrs. Pierce have been dea
$ several years. King David said, whe
his boy died, IL shall go to him. The
f have found their boy.
n