The daily gazette., 1882-03-29
BETTY AND THE BABY.
sERGEAMT MAsoH's WIFE AND
CHILD.
A "PREss" coRREsPoNDENr's VISIT
TO TaEIK HUBBLE HONE.
G. N. Ogden in Press.

9. n. Ogden In Press.
At q point nineteen mIIes from OFaps,
and twenty one mlles from FrederIcks
burg on The north side ofths roac apc
within 6fty yards Gift sands 9 tWo-
story double Rabled hoDSe. This dwell
ling was built less than year ago. The
clap boards have mot been painted, and
the clay ussd 10 cement the stone chin.
ney standing against the east end and
running far up beyond the gable is a
fresh and white as the day 1t was mixed.
Excellantly built split rail fences sur
round the house and enclose garden
and . calf pen on the right. Stretching
away 10 the left are about twenty acres
Of newly broken ground, scores OF stand
ing stumps testlfylng 10 the grip that ma
ture had, until recently, kept upon the
soil. Three small sheds, built tf pine
slabs, and made warm BY earth heaped
about the foundations, serve for stock
pens, stables and barn. One or two
stacks of hay aud straw give assurance
Of an abundance Of fodder. Chickens,
guinea fJwls and three rather dimInu-
live roostels clucked, peeped and cEowed
In the vicinity Of the sheds. Two noisy
curs slept 10 front ef the dirty boxts Q,
their only occupation beng to announce
the advent OF strangers by Intermittent
bowls and bafklDss. In the distance one
other house, Q bright green held Of new
ly sprouting wheat and dense woodland
only can be seen.
Here resides Mra. John A. Mason, the
vie CfSergeant Mason, with her uncle,
John Webb, Mrr. Webb and the baby.
The interior Of the house see@ed to cor
respond with the exterior. The sitting
room was scrupulously clean aud dis.
mally bare. Thewood work had not been
painted and only one coat Of unwhite-
washed plaster covered tha wAllP. The
floor bad never known q carpet or rug.
A bright Gre burned In q small fire-p'a ace,
the only cheerful thing about the apar..
ment. In one corner Stood an old-fash-
Ioned high post bedstead, tho bed Gov
cred with venerable spread tfA dark
blue color. Oppos to this bed s.ood an
equally antique bureau With many draw
epS, an extremely servieeable piece OF
furniture. In another corner reposed q
wooden chest painted black. This chest
was almf s. hidden from view by b large
spinning wheel, none Of the toy affairs
th0b DOtho RCAeVuo AONS W pNo1S9a AOA
ornamental purposes, bat big, strong,
rUughly-made machine'in every day USE
-Four wooden chairs s1d q beuch, upon
which stood pail OF drinking water,
completed the furniture OF the room. A
little wooden cart and tin drinklne
cup ASP sttracted my attention. Mrs
Mason soon entered, her child on her
arm.
She Is about 81 years old, tall and
spare built, with form that no man
could call graceful. Her shoulders
are high, her arms are long and heI
hands and feet are large. At first
glance Mrs. Mascn's face would not
be pronounced attractive, but alter
few moments of conversation the
good points Of her 0ountenance are
seen. She has very fine light hair,
brushed smoothly back from her tenn
ples and ooiled in simple knot behind,
fastened with an old-fashioned tortoise
shell comb; affair comI Iexion, that
would undoubtedly freckle il much
exposed to the wind high, smooth
forehead eyes that are at times light
blue and again gray, according astheil
possessor IL In respondent or pleasant
humor ;an aquiline nose rather large
mouth, with rosy lips, that In laugh
ing disclose set of large and irregu-
larry formed teeth an oval chin, end
ing In slender neck, proportioned tC
the tallness Of her body, She seems
most attractive when she laughs, and
her smile is indicative of what her ac-
| quaintancess say are her characteristics
gentleness and kindness. Tears come
quickly in her eyes when her unfor'
Iunate husband il discussed and they
dry easily when new subjects are
introduced. She seems to be too deli.
cate for her surroundings and shows
marks of refinement and intelligeHcG
not common with the female inhabi
tants of the wilderness.
OF Mrs. Mason's devotion to hel
! husband and her child, of her distress
when told Of his severe sentenca, and
her hope that he will be speedily par
doned or released, the rough woods
men in the nelghborhood bear ample
testimony.
| The baby's name is Charlie. He is i
blue-eyed, tow-headed, sturdy, mis-
chieveus little scamp, fifteen month
4 old. He was well described by hi
grand aunt, who told me that b
Favored his ma" Mother and chill
were neatly but very plainly attired i
home cut calico dresses.
! TIara sS,aa = .. - na0aafan - n-wsaf