The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-11-08

| The rich crown Jewel, Love, of Paradise
When life falls from us like wiAereC
husk.
FAREWELL TO LIBERTY HALL
The Home Alexander 81. Stephens
Left for the Georgia Governors
Mansion.
A correspondent of the Atlanta (Ga.)
Constitution says: On Monday, al
$50, sharp, the committee entered the
spacious grounds of the Liberty Hall
estate, passed the church in the corner,
the lawn of Bermuda grass, the old
fashioned, spacious piazza, into the par
lor Of perhaps the most interesting
statesman of the last thirty years. 1t
was plain parlor, plainly furnished,
but suggestive of ease and comfort. GA
the wall was the best picture of Gen.
Toombs ever saw, taken at his prime,
and looking, as a bystander said, as
that king of men looked when he de-
manded Of the North, in the name of
the South, Indemnity for the past and
security for the future" A fine por-
trait of Linton Stephens hung vis-a-vis
to an equally fine portrait of his first
wife. A portrait of Gen. Lee hung
over the mantel, fanked by a portrait
of Howell Cobb, and fronted by the
well-known print of Webster Ad-
dressing the Senate" The spaces be-
tween these pictures was pretty well
filled with smaller portraits, testimo-
mails, bas-reliefs, many of them very
old. There were but two portraits of
ladies, besides the one we mentioned,
and one of these was a fine picture of
Mrs. w. H. FELTON,. On the table,
among other books, was an album, bear
ing on the first page the autographs of
Rutherford B. Hayes, Lucy w. Hayes
and James A. Garfield.
While we were examining these, Mr..
Stephens rolled into the room, managing
his chair with singular grace and ease.
Capt. Henry jackson, the chairman Of
the State Democratic Executive Com
mittee, made a short and happy talk,
and introduced the committee. Mr..
Stephens replied in a few appreciative
words, and after the usual handshaking
the party adjourned to breakfast in the
dining room. A more characteristic
room than this would be hard to find.
Roomy, spacious, without display, it |
was homelike in every sense. Two
tables were set Mr.. Stephens rolling
his chair to the head of one of them,
lifted his hat and with bowed head rev.
erently asked the blessing of God on his
home and guests. The breakfast was
a bountiful one of fried chicken, steak,
eggs, biscuit, rolls, home
made butter, syrup, etc. No less than
eight servants clustered about the table
and helped the guests, while a major
lomo Of unyielding dignity directed
their movements, and three picaninnies
stood by the open fireplace and watched
The proceedings with undisguised inter-
EST. A family of FIVE kittens tumbled
about the floor, while two dogs, occupy
ng the rounds of a staircase that led
from the dining room into the second
story, overlooked the scene.
Mr.. Stephens presided with charm
ng cordially and grace. Every guest
vas made to feel at home and merrier
,r more enjoyable breakfast was never
Known. Ny vis-a-vis at the table said
Il think Mr. Stephens has entertained
more guests in this room than any
American has ever entertained in one
'oom. For forty years, lacking only
,wo, he has presided in this very place,
md every day this table has been free
20 all who came. Gov Howell Cobb en-
perhaps more lavishly than
inv Georgian in public life, but Mr..
Stephens has lived so much longer. No
nan ever welcomed so many guests in
me room as Mr.. Stephens has welcomed |
n this"
II bought this house" said Mr.. Ste
,hens, Sin 1912 from Mr.. Bird-and to-
lay for the first time it is to be closed
lp. We are packing up every thing, and
he house viii be closed to-day, except
or Mr.. O,Neill an old friend of mine,
vho is now approaching his ninetieth
rear, and who will continue to live
lere."
'sThis is my library" said Mr.. Steph-
ms, in which have spent many day
nd night of work, and which / leave
With great reluctance 1t was not
,retentious room but well filed. An
immense basket of seed for distribution
at on the floor. In a corner was pile
,fsweet potatoes. The entire wall space
vas covered with books. These were
Mostly on topics relating to the war and
questions. Every con-
.eivable history of the war and every
realise on government ever published
t appeared, were here, and the most OF
hem well thumbed.
You will notice" said Mr.. Stephens,
that have my house lighted with gas.
t is acurious fact but my gas costs me
ess than my matches. You must
lave unskillful scratchers then I" No.
But great many Of my visitors smoke
oipes, as I do, and It takes four or FIVE
matches to Light pipe, especially in
he hands Of those who are used to Goals.
t costs me 80 cents week for matches
nd only $40 . year for gas. There is
10 Investment co1ntrY gentleman can
make that pays 50 well rs to have his
lwn gas machine.
This room, said Mr.. Stephens,
rhirling into bedroom adjoining the
ibrarY, was occupied the night It was
inished by Smith 0'Brien, the last of
be line Of tie Irish Kings Of Munster.
spent ! week with me, and was the
.randest man ii some respects ever
new. His book on representative gov
rnment IS the profoundesk work ever
cad, except Mr. Calhoun =. and il much
nore elaborate. He Was the foremost
T tie Irish patriots II dignity and
over. ] hid Io0mhs here to meet him ]
and 4 was interesting 10 see