Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-14

AA1A AAR WV WV W ahI ROAg "a
did not know that the lonely old way.
farer was Jefferson Davis. He thanked
the Captain of the Neckar for bring
ing him safely into port in words Of a
cordial ring; indeed, his voice was
strong enough to have been heard with
good effect from the platform. Mr.
Davis's daughter, a slender, willowy
girl Of graceful manners, just home
from a school in Germany, added her
thanks in that very pretty, musical
German which is neve heard from
German lips, and probably never
sounds more charming to German
ears than when coming from those o.
American girls.
I'VE had a very rough trip indeed,
Mr.. Davis said, with that slow, stated,
method of speech much in vogue
among old fashioned Southern gentle.
men, after Mr.. Derby had presented
the newspaper representative. "In,
deed, the sailors say they have never
experienced such weather"
did you experience much discom-
fort on the voyage2" the writer asked.
mot at ALL" Mr.. Davis responded
rather briskly for him. 81 am never
seasick. Others, however, suffered a
good deal. The cabin was twice under
water"
Have you enjoyed your trip To
Europe, Mr.. DarIs?"
mot very much" was the reply.
with a rather panied expression. IL
was not very well most of the time
Where were you during the great.
or portion Of your %sojourn in Europe2'
In France, | went over really Ia
fetch my daughter from schoolin Ger
many, but she came to Paris to meet
me, and | spent most of my time in
Paris and Chantilly. Chantilly, you
know, is an old, little village, famou;
for its race tracks, and [ visited a
friend there"
Did you take much interest in the
boom in Confederate bonds?"
Il did not hear much Of it. NY
impression is it was mostly confined to
London on the other side, and thai
very little was heard Of it in Paris
Mr.. Davis had thus far spoken will
that measured, dignifed delivery pecu
liar to him, but now his stern feature
relapsed into a broad smile as h.
added, jocularly, Il did not inves
myself" One could see from his man
ner and from the grin with which b
shook his head-appearantly at tn.
absurdity Of the rise and in what
farcial light he regarded that alread
collapsed boom.
Us it true that your are going {
write q new book, your last one hayin
been so great a SUGGEST"
Mr.. Davis laughed. did you eve
hear Of a mar who wanted Immediate
after returning from a hunt TO go on
\ new one?"
"Yes, if it was a successful an
pleasant one was the of-hand reply
do you suppose that any Of thes
passengers on the Neckar would Xix
to return just now to Europe? Ifyou'
ask them | believe they nearly a
would tell you they never want to 2
to Europe again as long as they live 7
Mr. Davis said all this in a humorou
strain, az though the efforts incider
10 the production of his last work ha
rendered a long repose from liteai
labors TO him most welcome.
RECONCILIATION OF THE SOUTH AN
NORTH.
So far so well. But now a politics
question was preached, and Mr.. Dav
was soon on his mettle. He was aske
If he knew the recent news, and W;
told Of the speech Of Senator Davi
the temporary President Of the Unite
States Senate, expressing his desire [
leave politics as soon as his great OF
jeot, the reconciliation Of the Sout
and North, was accomplished.
well, that would be enough for an
one mar to accomplish in this world,
Mr.. Davis remarked, sententiously.
but don't you think it has bee
practically accomplished"
II should think not. to judge Of tn
legislation for the South and th
North in recent years and the want
harmony between the two sections"
II suppose you take a livelier int.
est in the subject of the reconciliatiO
of the South and North than in almoi
any other. May | ask you, therefor
how you expect that work to progrei
under President Arthur's administr1
toni"
"How can / tell" Mr.. Davis re
piled with sudden warmth; 81 lac
the opportunities to inform myself 0
the public men Of the day who have
voice in the administration" Wit
great emphasis he added: Il hay
shaken hands with political question
and moreover, | never allow any ma
to pump me-" Mr.. Davis dwelt wit
special vigor Of voice on the wor
pump as though it was the object {
bis particular aversion.
81 think a time comes" said In
former President Of the C~onfederacy
when every mar may wrap his mantl
round himself, as / have done" Thi
last declaration bad a ring Of thorougl
dignity in it, and Mr.. Davis, draWinI
himself up to his full height, turnet
away.
Fired by emulation Of the Alps, tn
Pyrenees have determined 10 ha iun
ineled. The new r.ilaay, sppfosel
bg the Senate. is To run from Sarqosg