The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-08-02

The House at BeRuVOtr' ana no"
Jefferson DAVIS Passes MS Time
There.

Making my way unguardly into par
ratings that opened like a funnel at I'LL
depot, and then narrowed into plank lam
that led inevitably to an old-fasioned cool
locking hotel, l stepped up to the registe
!. and asked if Mr.. Davis was in mississippi
City or its neighborhood. Mine host re
piled that he had not seen Mr.. Davis, bu
he had heard that he was stopping at Mrs
Dorsey's" He further informed me tina
Mrs Dorsey was sort OF literary woman
that she was rich, and that her residence
was known as "Beauvior;" and spelled a.
''Bpvwah," and that for a consideration
could secure transportation to the same
In a half hour was on the way.
never had more melancholy ride thaL
that which followed The road led through
heavy pine forests. The tall, brown trees
rose straight and monotonous from drltts
of white powdered sand-the moan OF tne
wind through their tufted heads mlnShng
strangely with the swishing sound OF inc
waves of the yellow gulf as they rolled
ceaselessly on the beach. At almost every
turn of the road we came upon old houses
of imposing size, character, ana sur,
roundings: Worm-eaten and decnyeo
piers ran out into the water--Eooiiess po"'
and bathing houses were scattered along
the shores broken-down fences OF hne pat
tern barely limited the shape OF former
Enclosures. There were mansions, dead
locking, deserted, with grass growing on
their roofs; there were stables and carriage,
houses, and pigeon-cotes all dlstlseu anu
tenantless; handsome grounds choKeo ul
| with weeds and sand drifts. Occasionally
there was sure to be seen some pert attelhp!
at reclamation that only set oil the general
desolation more wildly. was travelline
through strip of country formerly one OF
the most fashionable and celebrated
was here III the old days that the millions
aires of New Orleans brought their frlenas
and families for the summer, having estaD-
lishments here that in splendor and luXuIl-
GUS appointments equaled anything 10 De
found in this then prodlgal land WIN
the gulf rolling at their feet; with strong
saline breezes driving the heatNwaVes BACK;
with the best of surf bathing, yachtlng,
fishing and hunting and with society
brilliant, well-assured and knit together ny
| the memory of half-a>dozen generations,
they had all they desired. learn that IN
the past years this gulf shore has regalne9i
much of its lost glory, and that songs ana
laughter ence more I'LL these desolate
houses and yachts and sailing boats once
more speck the yellow waste OF waters
At length house of noble proportions
situated on the crest of matchless bit OF
beach, approached by handsome and we'll
kept grounds, confronted me. My driver
stopped and notified me that this was where
Mrs. Dorsey lived. A gentleman was SIT
ting on the piazza, with large table, cows
cred with papers, by his side. A large do9
was coming down the walk, and turned to
| A. hot n11rlal the
beach. The barking of the dog at the fence
determined me to remain in abstrcted med
itation OH the gulf, until the gentleman,
who my driver confdentialy Informed the
back of my head had started to meet me,
could reach the gate.
did you wish to see any one, Sir!
A kind bnt grave voice, tall, slender
man, with brown hair and whiskers tips
ping out grey clear eyes, calm brow, erect
carriage, and Undesirable air of dignity and
sadness. There was the first and last presi-
dent of the Confederate States of America.
Upon presenting my credentials, Mr..
Davis welcomed me warmly, and shaking
nv hand eravely led the way to the house.
Az we walked up the high broad steps of
the piazza, q small lady, with hair, worn as
Mrs. HAYES wears hers and looking res
markably like Mrs. Mary Z. Bryan, the
authoress. came out of the front door.
This was Mrs. Sarah E. Dorsey, one of the
most noted women of Louisiana and the
benefactress Of sir. Davis, She is an
authoress of some note, having written
Pamela, q novel, and l think biography OF
one of Louisiana's governors. She owned
valuable river plantations, and was at the
| time of my visit deeply interested in the
| e Dot;nnol lnuaas for the MisSiSs
| sippi. She was thorough stujent-com-
Danionable with and devoted to Mr.. Davis.
| remember that with an assured air OF
protectorship she superintendent any allu-
sions that the ex-president made to the public
affairs-a kind censorship that he humored,
if he did not regard it.
At her request Mr.. Davis had made Beau
vior bis home during the time he WAS ems
gagged on his book. Accepting this invita-
ton, he had quietly dropped out of the
world. l have never seen a more delight
full household than gathered at Beauvior at
this time. Besides Mr.. Davis and Mrs.
Dorsey, there was young JET, most agree
APPLE and earnest young fellow; boy rel
alive of Mrs. Davis from the North, who,
with Jeff, jr., was reading law under the
ex.president, smart and courteous young
ster, and Mr.. Davis old colored body SER
want, Who is passionately attached to him.
This made up the family, and there was a
friendly interest and easy eloquence in all
the intercourse, whether it assembled to the
tremendous affairs in which the leader had
been involved or dropped to the affairs
about the farm. There was no stiffness or
nrtiticiality in the conversation, but at once
a charming abandon and decorum, whether
it was sitting in group on the piazza
watching the gulf, while the strong salt
breezes blowing from spice-land famed our
faces-or walking through the orange grove
with Mr.. Davis and the boys or snugly
ensconced with Mr.. Davis in his study. |
remember how dcvotedly Mr.. Davis was at
tached to his son, and how fondly he be-
came interested in all that the bright, frank
young fellow turned his hand to. He was
engaged, with, the help of the body~servant,
in building a boat, and the president halt
ed US for q half-hour in discussing with his
son the prospects of the venture. The boy
was studious, Well-strung, robust-having
the features of his mother, but many OF his
fathers characteristics altogether an adj
nlirable boy. He died of yellow fever last
year, and with him died the last of his king
ly line.
Mr.. Davis could not have selected better
place in which TO perform the great work
upon which he is engaged. The house at
Beauv1Or is an immense roomy mansion,
built in the old-fashioned Southern style. |
The hall is wider than an ordinary room,
and covers more space than the whole floor |
of tenement house. It was laid with |
light mating and in the centre is large |
circular damasli sofa, the centre-piece ris-
ing above the seats and holding large tray |
Of flowers. The rooms are very large, and |
the piazza probably thirty feet wide, and |
runs all around the house. The parlors, |
dining-rooms, ect, are furnished as they |
are usually furnished by persons of culture |
and wealth; but there was better assoIt- |
ment Of large chairs than ever saw be- |
fore.
On the right hand of the house is q small |
two room house, built for Mr.. Davis |
especial use. This is his workshop. One I