Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-10
MRS. GAINES AGAIN,
An Interview with the Celebrated New
Orleans Heiress.

Henry Livingston in Boston Courier.l
I was not long since on my way to
Greenfield, Mass, when my attention
was attracted by a little woman in the
seat on the opposite side of the car
from where l was sitting. She was
apparently about so years of age,
(though in fact much older) of sandy
complexion, regular features, pleasing,
sprightly expression of %countcnance,
short, neglige curls sprinkled with
gray, plainly dressed in black, rather
travel worn, yet quick in movement
and restlessly idgeting, | thought.
about the station where she wanted to
stop, which proved TO be South Deer
field.
With my accustomed politeness to.
the fair sex of whatever age or condi-
ton, as soon as | comprehended the
cause of her perplexity | took my
Pathfinder and leaning across the
aisle said to her, 1T is at South Deer
field that you wish to stop, is it
madam y
She at once arose from her place,
came over to the seat Immediately in
front of me (which then happened to
be vacant and sitting down with per-
feet ease and elf-possession answered:
Yes, | have telegraphed my son,
who lives some FIVE or six miles away,
to meet me at South Deer6eld. |
left New Orleans several days ago and
am on my way to visit my son who
met a charming young lady at the
Northampton water cure, where we
were staying some time ago, and mar
ried her, and he now lives at Aver. |
am Mrs. General Gaines, with whose
history you may, perhaps, be some.
what acquainted, as | have been
brought into rather undue prominence
before the pablic for some years
past
She talked on in an easy, rapid, self
possessed manner, giving me a hurried
sketch of her contest with her Oppo-
nents in the great lawsuits for the
New Orleans property, gradually
warming up Gas she found me a will
ing listener) and pouring forth a
steady stream Of wit. sentiment and
eloquence, rich, racy and rare, that
quite overpowered me.
Yes" 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, Il showed them what a little
woman could do. | gained my case
after thirty years of toll and trouble
and opposition OF all kinds and from
all quarters. | gained my suit. II
was a noble judge from your own
Massachusetts, that gave the decision,
and a splendid decision it was. cover
ing the whole ground and SO clear and
so exhaustive that everybody approved
of it. All said it was right and Just.
| gained S., 900 by it.
But" said |, do you really ex-
pect to get possession of the property
and actually recover the full amount?n
THE United States Marshal" she
replied, " stands ready to put me in
possession. 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 triumphed. You
prosecuted me for thirty years, but |
have gained my case. Now mercy
comes to the front. Go home to
your property, | will appeal to the
legislature to adopt some system Of
relief. | am willing TO compromise
for 2, 4j0,OO0 in ten year installments.
| have pledged myself, as a thank
offering to my Maker, who has given
me success, to spend the rest Of my
days in doing all the good | can. |
have shoTnthem what a little woman
can do in an unusual and uneongenial
sphere. Is ii not always soq As
Christian civilization progresses wo-
man comes to the front" And she
rose from her seat with the inspiration
Of her theme. AID now" said she
! tell them ] am going to show then
how a little woman can reform the
politicians,
laughed heartily at the idea and
did not hesitate to intimate. yer,
plainly, that she would find that /
much harder Job than e~onquering il
tho Gaines suit.
:, Ill tell you how I'll do IT,. sale
she. Il have not moved in Washing
ton society for nothing. / know Il
weakness and Us strength, its ms anC
It's outs. It's disease snd IL remedy
III build a mammoth hotel in Wash
ingtOn and II make the terms so Low
that 30 member Of congress shall hayI
an e1cuse for not bringing his wifi
with him, that they may thus fulfil
the legitimate destiny which God de
signed Tor them and thus the tester
ing evil which gnaWs at the vitals 0
/, society at the capital Of the nation vii
be cured.
Thus she went on, not in a.blas
mannsF, i0F though she talkad rapidly
aud gesticulated, and stood up, an,
moved about, it was all so properl
and gracefully done hat the othe
passengers had no suspicion who tn
speaker was or what was the subiec
0f our conversation.
twas but a brief moment, GOVERN.
; the distance between two stations
get 50 rapidly had she talked and S
Interested bad became that when
had handed her over 70 her son Whor
we found waiting at the station.
! could hardly realize that | had reall
mel aud had Such a pleasant Interview
! With the little great woman, VIII
: for more than thirty years had file
50 large a space in the public eye
AID Ehen ] announced to the passen
i gers that that was the celebrated NM
4 Gegcral Gaines there was a genera
y rush 10 the windows 10 get a look 4
= Har and an avrrn~..a. - I'll