The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-08-08

AZ her request, Mr.. Davis has made
Beauvoir his home during the time he
was engaged on his book. Accepting
this invitation, be had quietly dropped
out Of the world. l have never seen q
more delightful household than that
gathered At Beauvoir At this time. Be-
sides Mr.. Davis and Mrs. Dorsey, there
was young Jeff., most agreeable and
earnest young fellow; a boy relative d
Mrs. Davis, from the North, who, with
Jeh DR. was reading law under the
ex-President, q smart and courteous
youngster, and Mr.. Davis's old colored
body servant, who is passionately at
tached 70 him. This made up the fam
lily, and there was friendly interest and
easy eloquence Ia all the intercourse.
whether it assembled TO the tremendous
affairs in which the leader had been in
volved, or dropped to the affairs about
the farm. There was no stiffness or
arti6ciality in the conversation, but at
once a charming abandon and decorum
whether II 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 en-
sconced with Mr.. Davis in his study |
remember how devotedly Mr.. Davis was
attached to his son, and how fondly he
became 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 halted US for half-hour
in discussing with his son the prospects
Of the venture. The boy was studious,
well-strung, robust-haying the features
OF his mother, but many Of the fathers
characteristics altogether an admira-
BILE boy. He died Of yellow fever last
year, and with him died the last Of his
kingly line.
Mr.. Davis could not have selected
better place in which to perform the
great work upon which he Is engaged.
The house at Beauvoir is an immense
roomy mansion, built in the old-fash-
Toned Southern style. The hall is wider
than an ordinary room. and covers more
space than the whole floor Of q tene-
ment house. II was laid with light
mating, and in the center is large
damask sofa, the center-p piece rising
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, ETC., are fur
nished as they are usually furnished BY
persons of culture and wealth, but there
was q better assortment Of large chairs
than ever saw before.
On the right hand Of the house is q
small two-room house, built for Mr..
Davis's especial use. This is his work
shop. One room Is his library. This
Is filled TO the ceiling with books, STEP
ladder being necessary to reach the
higher shelves. The books are histo-
ries, records, etc, mostly bearing on
the late war. In the middle OF the room
is large table on which are various
books and sheets Of paper. A large en-
craving of sacred character surmounts
the mantel. The next room is intended
for resting in case Mr.. Davis should de-
sire to lie down. Mr.. Davis says that
be has probably an unequaled library Of
reference for the great subject in which
he Is interested. He says that he has
been engaged for years in getting
together all the material that he could
probably need, and he is now ready for
work. On the left hand side Of the
house Is a similar building, which was
Mrs. Dorsey's study. This was most
tastily furnished, and contained fine
library, with an immense
y full collection Of works Of Southern
authors. Mrs. Dorsey spent the most
81 her time in this coy little retreat.
The grounds about the place are very
There are an orange grove,
! fine vineyard, orchards, lawns and
'ome superb groves. The climate Is
almost tropical, and there is profusion
Il bright and fragrant flowers. was
struck with drove Of peacocks. that
made the woods gay with their fine
Gathers. These were Mr.. Davis's es-
,ecial pets, and 1t was pretty sight TO
ZEE him feed them, which he did regu-
arly twice day.
II Is impossible to overestimate the
'aution and carefulness with which Mr.. |
Davis has worked upon his history Of
he rebellion. He feels that his will be
he authoritative defense Of the cause
4 his people, and he fully appreciates
he gravity Of his task. 1t is two years
ince saw him, and he was reported
hen TO be finishing up his work. Ids
covered that he had hardly begun il,
laving spent years in simply arranging
he material for it. Mr.. Davis Is most
SYSTEMATIC worker, and is possessed Of
,reat endurance. He is arapid writer,
md Is q ripe scholar. II Is the argu.
nent and the facts on which he has
'ondered 50 long. No idea can be
ormed Of the scope Of the coming book.
I Is certain, however, that an unexpect-
d space will be given to the discussion
( the motives and necessities that led
Q the war. 1t will not be vehicle Of