Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-05-22
MRS. GAINES.
An Interview with the Celebrated Hsv
Orleans Usirsss

Orleans IIeIress.
! was not long since on my way In
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 oldcr). Of sandy complexion, rcgu-
lar features. pleasing. sprightly express
sion OF countenance, short, 1i6gti1e cuTig
sprinkled with gray, plainly dressed IN
black, rather trayel-worn. yet quick In
movement and restlessly fidgeting, ]
thought. about the station where she
wanted To stop, which proved TO he
South Dceriield.
With my accustomed politeness 10 the
fair sex Of whatever age or condition, ms
soon ns ] comprehcndcd the cause of her
pcrplexity took my pathfinder" and
leaning across the aisle said To her. cit
Is at South Deerfield that YOU wish 10
stop, Is it, madam"
She at once arose from her place, came
over 10 the seat Immediately in front of
me (Which then happened 10 be vacant).
and, sitting down with perfect ease and
self-posscssion, answered: Yes. | 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 10 visit
my son, who met n charming young lady
at the Northampton water-curc, 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, rs have been brought into
rather undue prominence before the pub
lie for some years past"
EIn sal IL 90, .....
scsscd manner, giving me n hurried
sketch Of her contest with her opponents
in the great lawsuit for the New Orleans
property. gradually warming UP (as she
found me a willing listencr) and pouring
forth "A steady streamof wit. sentiment.
and cloquence, rich, racy and rare. that
quite ovcrpowcred me.
Yes" she said, with the frankness
and unrcserye Of woman Of the world,
who has mingled with men and become
familiar with all phases of society, ~
showed them what "A little woman could
do. ] gained my case after thirty years
OF toll and trouble and opposition of nil
kinds and from all quarters | gained
my suit. Ii was n noble judge from your
own Massachusetts, that gave the decis-
ion, and a splendid decision IL was.
covering the whole ground and ~ clear
and 80 exhaustive that everybody ap-
proved Of it. All said it was right and
just. gained 5000. 600 by 1t.
But, said !. do you really expect
TO get possession Of the property and ac-
tually recover the full amount?n
"Thc United States Marshal" she re-
piled, " stands ready 10 put me in pos
session. But when these poor people
come Ia me, and. with tears in their eyes.
pleadingly ask. Mrs. Gaines. what shall
we do2' / tell them justice has tri-
umphed. You pcrsccuted me for thirty
years, but / have gained my case. Now
mercy comes Ia the front. Go home to
your property. ! will appeal Ia the
legislature 10 adopt some system Of re-
lief ! am willing IN compromise for
- 100000 in tcn-year installmcnts. ]
have pledged myself. as a thank-offcring
to my Maker. who has given me success.
to spend the rest of my days in doing all
the good can. ! have shown them
what little woman can do in m un-
usual and uncongcnial sphere l. il not
always SOP As Christian civilization
progresses woman comes TO the front.
And she rose from her seat with the in
spiratiOn of her theme. " And now :"
said she. u tell them I am going to
show them how little woman can re-
form The politicians
! laughed heartily NJ the idea and did
not hesitate 10 intimate. very plainly.
that she would find that a much harder
job than conquering in the Gaines suit
" I'll tell you how I'll do IL. said she.
have not moved In Washington So
cicty for nothing. know its weaknesses
and its strength. its ins and outs, its dis
ease and its remedy. I'll build man.
moth hotel in Washington and I'll make
the terms 50 low that no member Of Con-
gress shall have an excuse for not bring
ing his wife with him. that they NAV
thus fulfill the legitimate destiny
which God designed for them: and thus
the fostering evil which gnaws at the
very vitals Of society at the capital of
the nation will be cured"
Thus she went on. not in blase man.
ner, for though she talked rapidly, and
gesticulated. and stood up and moved
about, it was all so properly and grace
fully done that the other passengers had
no suspicion who the speaker was, or
what was the subject of our conversa-
ton. Henry LiUingstone. ia Boston CoE-
rieT.