The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-06-15
Gossip
About Men and Won en-.

General Garfield has been building a new
house for himself at his Mentor, Ohio, farm
from plans almost entirely made by the rosy,
motherly wife who has helped their boys fit
for college. There is nothing grand about the
Garfield farmhouse, but it is pleasant, con-
venient country house, with a roomy porch
along its front and part of the side roomy
apartments and snuggery for the general ON
the rear part of the second floor, where he will
keep few books handy, though still doing his
solid work in the library building put up
short distance from the house year or two
since. The house is two and half stories,
and go by 80 feet. Two of its best rooms are
being specially fitted for Garfield's mother, to
whom he once proudly took home $25 earned
chopping 100 cords of wood The whole cost
OF the building is only to be between $1,000
and $4,000, and it is to be finished in time for
occupancy right away.
Senator Bruce, the first colored man to pre-
side over the Senate of the United States and
National Convention, has been successful.
not only in politics, but in business. He owns
two large plantations ON the Mississippi river,
is currently reputed to be worth 100000, and
unlike some other negroes of wealth and in
huence in politics, his character has always
been good.
OF the late Bishop Ames the following anec-
dote is related: While presiding over GER
tain conference in the West member began
TRADE against the universities, education, etc.,
thanking God that he had never been cor
rupted by contact with college. After pro-
ceeding thus few minutes the bishop inter
rupted him with the question: "Do UNDER
stand that the brother thanks God for his ig-
norance?" well, yes,' was the answer, "you
can put it that way If you want to-" well,
all have to say" said the bishop in his sweet,
musical tones, "all have to say is that the
brother has great deal to thank God for"
Considerable hilarity has recently been ex-
cited in Austro-Hungarian military circles by
an incident quantity illustrating the rigid
strictness with which Magyar non-commis-
stoned officers are wont to carry out, to the
very letter, the instructions contained in the
imperial royal military code. A private SOL
dier died in the barrack infirmary at Kaschau,
and his body, in due course was consigned to
the grave with the customary military honors.
1t was observed, however, by a superior officer
present at the ceremony of interment that the
firing party following the coffin marched into
the cemetery with fixed bayonets; contrary to
the established military usage in similar cases.
As soon as the burial rites had been concluded,
he sent for the sergeant commanding the par
ty, and asked him with some asperity, wheth-
er he did not know that it was contrary to reg
ulations for funeral escort tomarch with fixed
bayonets. Stiff1y at the salute, the conscienti-
tious sergeant replied, Eyes, sir: I am quite
aware of that. But 1 beg respectfully to re-
port that the deceased was under arrest during
his illness, and at the time of his death. It
was therefore the duty of his escort to fix bayo-
nets" VERY well, you may CO." was the
rejoinder, and the model disciplinarian retired
with the proud consciousness that he had tri-
umphantly proved his case.
Mrs. Garfield is lady who will honor the
White House by her gentle presence She is o
woman OF sweet and winning spirit, and Of
bright and cultivated mind. And Miss Lucre.
tia Rudolph she was an exceedingly pretty
and interesting girl, and her marriage with
the general was on both sides one of ideal af-
fection. Her intellect has kept pace with her
husbands; she has studied the books he stud
led, taken up languages with him, and has so
trained herself as to fit her boys for college in
the most thorough manner. She is an excel
lent Latin scholar, and is also proficient in
several modern languages She is a little lady
graceful in carriage, and having most frank
and charming manners.
Mrs. Edmunds is person of fine culture 1t
is said that the first impression is that of re-
pose and gentleness and quiet dignity, with
soft manner not in the least self-assertive. OF
medium figure and brunette complexion, the
arched eyebrows remind one Of those French
beauties, such as the old masters were fond of
delineatng as expressive of devotional spirit.
At once, as you enter Mrs. Edmunds drawing
room, you perceive an air Of refined domestic
culture, such as pertains to a New England
home. There are books and music, pictures
and embroidery, all bespeaking the taste not
only, but the TALENT of the genial hostess.
Admiral Porter lives in very unostenta.
tious way at Washington. He never goes to
the Navy Department.; but sticks close to
house, where he has his office, and is rarely
seen in the streets. He owns good horses, but
when out he is as likely to be in his daughters
pony phaeton, instead of the dignifed family
carriage. He entertains handsomely, but
mostly at dinners. He goes out only enough
to keep him in the circle of society. In ap-
pearance he has not a military air and he looks
no more like an old salt than any business
man. He is about five feet nine inches high,
with figure wel-knit and straight, and just
stout enough. He weighs about 1S0. He is
not particularly striking man. but impresses
by his conversation. He is now sixty-tive
years old, but he looks fifteen years younger.
He has been engaged for seven years in writ
ing history of the navy during the war.