Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-07

rove Tor her offspring Is the ruling passion or her
heart, and that her real enjoyment is not found
In the material splendor which surrounds her,
and the luster of which is dimmed by the beauty
OF her own person and the grace of her manner
and conversation. The room alluded to is the
chlldren's play-rOOm, in which the younger
daughters, POrtia and Katharine literally revel
for several hours during each day, and which
contains dolls of every conceivable size and
style, many Of which were purchased in France
and Germany, ana the room abounds with Gu
rious toys, cribs, cradles, and carriages. The
floor Ia strewn with them, and the shelves Of
little cabinets are filed with these tokens Of q
mothers love. Little Portia and Kate are never
SO happy as when showing this room and Its
contents to occasional visitors whom their intu-
itions assure them will be gratified thereby and
their attentions will not cease until such guests
are induced to take swing In the grove on the
lawn. and have admired their little carriage and
the pair of trained goats. which they manage
with the dexterity Of veteran cOachmen.
MRS. SPRAGUE AND HER CHILDREN.
It is very obvious, even to casual observer,
That in the companionship of her three daugh-
tiers Mrs. Sprague finds her great consolation
for the trials and disappointment of her mar
ried life, and that their present happiness and
future usefulness are the objects of her chief
solicitude. Assisted by capable gOverness
she has undertaken the entire charge of their
education and their proficiency i'm the English
",
and German languages, attest her fitness for
the arduOus task she has assumed. While her
affection for her daughters is of 1Dhe most devO-
ted character, the absent son, who is In charge
OF his father, is not forgotten. She speaks of
him in tones of mOtherlv tenderness, and points
with pride to his portrait in the uniform of a
naval cadet, which hangs upon the wall. Mrs.
Sprague retains much OF the beauty for which
she was noted In her earlier years. Time has
touched her but lightly. Not streak OF silver
ioo no ricI ,bJ,r hoir xxhio chod hor
classic brow. and if an expression of sadness
is occasionally detected in her countenance, and
heard i'm her silvery voice, it is but mOmentary.
She is remarkable for her uniform cheerfulness,
and for the cordial greeting which she extends
to every friend who apprC aches her, and never
casts a shadow over any circle of friends that
may chance to surround her, by any allusiOn to
her domestic troubles. She evidently feels that
the future is hers and that if she will she can
give it a rose color. One thing is certain, her
charm of manner and grace and elegance of con-
versation are beyond the cOrrOding touch Of
time and cannot fail to render her more attrac-
tive and admired as age advances.
THE ROMANCE OF EDGEwOOD.
A sketch of Edgewood and its inmates would
be incomplete without a brief glance at its his
tory, and the romance connected with its pur-
chase by the father Of its present owner. 1t is
well known that in the year 1927 Mr.. Chase was
a student at law in the office of William Writ,
Attorney General OF the United States. Mr..
Writ was the father of two accomplished daugh-
tiers who seemed to have excited the admira-
ton OF the young student, which admiration
found expression in a poem written in blank
verse, and entitled THE Sisters" This poem
displayed poetic talents Of no common ORDER
and was an eloquent and beautiful tribute to
the young women who had inspired his muse,
though it did not afterwards appear that either
OF them excited deeper sentiment than that of
m fhnip oil
mental endOwments, which seemed to have been
of a high order According to his own confession,
he found the delightful family circle of Mr.. Writ
very attractive. and he was ever welcomed
to 1t with cordial kindness, but stronger at
traction existed elsewhere, and this was the old
mansion at EdgewoOd, in which resided Col
Berry, who was blessed with an only daughter
whose presence formed the light of his house.
hold. Col. Berry was gentleman of the old
school; naturally ariStOcratic, and not inclined
to encourage the visits OF young men to whom
the presence of this only daughter was doubt
less strong attraction; but having conceived a
strong liking for young Chase he always gave
him cordial welcome and, aided by his daugh-
ter, did all in his power to render his visits
source of genial pleasure. Hence EdgewoOd
became the favOrite resort of the young law
student, and here were passed some Of his hap
piest hours during the period in which he was
engaged in the study of law. 1t does not ap-
pear that Miss Berry inspired any tenderer emo
tioh III the HedIt vi Tue young student Lnan Cnat
OF a deep and lasting friendship; but the
kindness with which he WIS treated
by the household of Edgewood made a pef1na-
nent impression on his mind and caused THE
house and its inmates to be associated with the
most pleasant memories of this period of his ex-
istence, and he was often heard to remark that
If in after life it should become his good fortune
to acquire means sufficient to purchase an estate
In the country he should endeayOr to become
the owner of EdgewoOd.
In the year 1868 Edgewood was offered for
sale, and Judge Chase became its purchaser.
The old mansion seemed to have been planned
to meet his tastes. and from the day he first
crossed its threshold the guest of its original
proprietor until he took up his permanent abode
therein he was never so happy as when per-
mitted to retire from the busy world and seek
repose Of body and mind within its spacious
walls.
Note.-Since the foregoing sketch was put
in type the writer has learned that during
its occupancy by Colonel Berry the es-
tate now known as EdgewoOd was called
Metropolis View; a title which seemed to Mr.
Chase neither appropriate nor euphoniOus.
After some delay in selecting suitable name
for his purchase. its location near the edge Of a
dense wood suggested the one by which it has
since been designated.