National Republican., 1882-07-18
rHAp srEv EMS, EARLY HOME.
Some "Reminiscences OF TIs visits 90 n
LittIc Vermont Town.

To the stranger journeying northwerd through
the " Hollow" little hamlet Of this town, large
white house Is particularly noticeable. 1t is the
old Stevens mansion, and although II has been
remodeled and mordernized TO no considerable
extent, the severely Strengthened lines which
mark II as an old-time building are still visible
Thaddeus Stevens bought this residence when ot
the height OF his reputation, and hired young
couple TO carry on the farm and take care Of his
venerable mother. As long as she lived he made
annual visits to her home. 1t used TO be quite an
event for the little town when the great Thad
Stevens" entered Its limits. He always seemed
glad TO sec his old friends and neighbors, but
could never be persuaded to deliver a speech be.
fore them. Every possible pretext was resorted TO,
but to no purpose. He doubtless thought his
talents could be more proftably employed than
IN ,harangung country people at "picnios and
Once however he did condescend to speak be-
fore the people OF this vicinity. The occasion
was masked ball, or something of the sort, held
In an adjoining town, and the people fiocked to-
geher from every section TO hear the great leader
AZ that time the most prominent question before
the country was the admission of Texas into the
| Union. Stevens, in his role of Republican Chief,
had strongly opposed the measure in Congress, and
in the course ofbis remarks referred in snoerlng
| manner to those whose minds and eyes were filed
with the "lone star - i'll tue South. His ullusion,
as matter of course, incensed many in the audi
| ence and among them old Editor Eaton, who was
| then Drmocratc leader, and, wthul, one Of the
sharpest man in the State, Soon came his turn TO
|
| closing HIS remarks ho said that the gaze of his
| friends and himself was turned toward the
| clone star" of the South, and that they
| did not "expect nor desire to see many
| stars as the honorable gentleman beheld when
he leaped to the sidewalk from Phila.
| dephia window" referring to time when
| II became necessary for Stevens to make an exit
decidedly more rapid than dignifcd. The story
| was well known at the time aud the applause was
| of course deafening. To have been 30 signally
| vanquished with hrs own weapons by q country
editor must have wounded the great mans vanity
| not little. But such was the case. and he could
never be persuaded 10 make another speech be-
| fore his country friends.
Thad was always n great reader, and, when q
boy, became interested in II small public library
| which had been founded in this town. He remem-
bered 1t in after years. and when he died willed 1t
the sum of $1,000, the interest of which should be
spent for books and periodicals, Tho money thus
| received has been judicously expended, aud the
| town now has library than which there is only
| one better i'll the county and few better in the
State. AT the death, too, of his mother, he
| abundantly rewarded the young couple who
had been so faithful in their care of her,
| and to this day they hold him in grateful re-
| membrance for his lberaliy. Being bachelor
| himself, his affections were bestowed upon his
| nephew, who became worthless dtuukard. This
| was severe blow 10 the old man, hut, neverthe-
less, he wiled him the bulk of his estate, provided
that he would quit his habit of drinking. 1t could
not be done, however, and the money was used fol
other purposes s.-Pedcham, Peiroat Leuer 10 Spring.
| fetd Reputiicdn.