The Indianapolis journal., 1883-06-16
ANECDOTES OF JEFFERSON.
HIS Rustic Relative Outdone-HidiDg BIZ
BILE with the Democrats.

MS hustlc Relative OutdOne-Hiding BIZ
BILE with the Democrats.
Harper's Drawer for July.
Ny recollection OF Mr.. Jefferson, says an
OLD gentleman of Virginia is vivid, as l knew
him we'll, and often visited at Monticello.
tie was the handsomest man l ever saw, as
stralght as an arrow, very dignifed and
courteous In his manners to all. A superb
rider, he exercised himself on horseback till
the last year of his life. The University of
Virginia was his pet scheme, and he was
very proud of it as being his own achieve
ment. At its first session entered as a stud
ent and Mr.. Jefferson waa always pleased to
have us students at his table. Upon these oc-
casions we were generally seated
around the table, when Mr.. JEFF
ferson would enter and walk straight
to an adjoining side table specially
prepared for him, and upon which were
placed two lighted candles and small vial
by his plate. He would then say: MY
daughter l perceive there are several young
gentlemen at the table, but do not see we'll
enough to distinguish who thev are, so you
must tell me their names" Whereupon his
daughter would lead him up to each young
gentleman, who would in turn rise, when
Mr.. Jefferson would shake hands and pass
pleasant word with him. At the close of
the repast, as his own hand was too trem-
| bling, his daughter would pour from the lit
| tie vial into a tumbler few drops of medi-
be wakeful, and then he would take up the
| tumbler and candle, make stately bow to
the assemblage, and retire to his bedroom.
He always had company at his house, and
observed the French hours for meals.
A relative of Mr.. Jefferson's, though very
| desirous of visiting him, was yet disinclined
to thrust his rusticity and illiterateness on
his great kinsman. Upon one occasion, how
| ever, he was prevailed upon to attend a social
gathering at Monticello when, upon being
ushered into the salon, he was duly pre-
sented by Mr.. Jefferson to the company.
During this ceremony the awkward country
man slipped up several times on the we'll
waxed floor, and then, seating himself, thor
oughly i'll at ease. was perfectly silent After
chatting with some of his guests, Mr. Jeffer-
| son took a seat beside his relative and made
an unusual effort to be agreeable
talking on all manner of topics, but
without even receiving answers to his queries
or making the slightest impression upon the
| visitor, who remained as dumb as an oyster
In despair of drawing him out Mr.. Jefferson
happened to ask him if he liked "black-
jack" fishing. The countryman's eyes snap
| ped, and his mouth poured forth garrulous
| budget in regard to his favorite sport, to all
| which Mr.. Jefferson, amused, as were the
Others present, listened attentively. When
| at last the countryman made an end, Mr..
Jefferson opened up eloquently on the same
subject, displaying an intimate knowledge of
4 pidCk-ldGk, SO lar SURPRISING lndI Oh MS
| relative that the latter was held SPELL l-bound.
When the great Signer stopped talking the
| countryman rushed for his hat and bolted
from the mansion, nor could vociferous calls
persuade him to return.
There was greater fear of, but less faith
in, Jefferson than his relative exhibited
among the Northern Federalists, who firmly
believed that he was little better than Anti
christ. A story illustrative of the state of
feeling with regard to the French party is
related of a pious old Federalist lady who
lived in a town in Connecticut 1t was be-
lieved in her neghborhood that if the Fed
eralists were overthrown, and the Jefferson
Democrats came into power, the Christian
religion would be put down and atheism pro-
claimed, and among the first prosecutions
would be the destruction of all the Bibles.
The lady referred to was terribly wrought up
at this prospect, and cast about in her
mind how she would preserve the Script
ures in the general destruction. Al
length it occurred to her to go to Squire
s., the only Democrat of her acquaint-
ance. and throw herself upon his mercy. She
. accordingly took her family Bible to him,
and telling him that she had heard of the
intention of the Jeffersonians, asked him to
keep it for her. The Squire attempted to
! persuade her that her fears were groundless,
but she was too panic-stricken to be con-
vinced. At last he said
my good woman, if all the Bibles are to
be destroyed, what is the use of your bring
ing yours to me? That W i'll not save it when
it is found"
"Oh yes" she pleaded, with a charming
burst of trust. you take it; it will be per-
fectly SAFE They'll never think of looking
in the house of Democrat for Bible"
1