The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1883-01-20
Longfellow's Courtesy.

During the Centennial year we were sitting
together one beautiful afternoon on his piazzl
smoking and talking. While we were in tie
midst of our conversation l observed two men
and two women coming toward us across the
lawn. Theywere obviously New England country
folks returning from the Centennial Exhibition.
The men had the slow, deliberate rustic walk
and were dressed in il%l-ftting black broadcloth.
the very look of which made one perspire. The
women, who were leading the way, had an ap-
pearnnce of pluck and enterprise, as if they were
determined TO conquer the modest dif6dence OF
their companions. Mr.. Longfellow was sitting
with his back to the street, and did not observe
them until they were within a yard of the piazza
He looked a little surprised, hut arose and saluted
the intruders with his wonted courtesy.
"Be you the poet Longfellow ?" asked one OF
the women in a voice that was incredibly unme-
lodious.
"Yes | am Mr.. Longfellow,' he answered.
There was an awkward pause, during which
the visitors stared at the poet with unabashed
glances, as if he had been a centennial relic on
exhibition.
"Now, how old a man might you be?' queried
the other female abruptly.
Il am sixty years old, madam
Pears to me you look considerably Older -
SAID one of the men, looking up sideways to Mr..
Longfellow's face with a critical air.
My looks may belle me. ! am no Older"
could not but wonder the extreme urbanity
VII WbiCh uC dhcncEeu LDccc DIuDI QUESTIONS,
showing no annoyance in his face, and no resent
ment. And when, finally, at their request, he
coduc;ed the party through the house, he SUBJ
mitted with the same gentle courtesy to a cross
examination regarding his family and personal
affairs which would have tried the patience OF tn
archaDgel Gabriel. When, at the end Of half an
hour, he returned, apologizing for his absence, |
made a remark which was, perhaps, a little dis
respectful to his late visitors.
They meant no disrespect to me by their
questions he answered, with that beautiful
gentleness which was 50 characteristic of his
manner. 1t is perfectly proper, where they come
from, to interest ones self in the personal affairs
Of everybody.
But it must be a great inconvenience to you
1 observed. to be so frequently disturbed by
such excursionists."
"Weil, during the present year | admit it has
been a little trying. Nevertheless, l always dis
like sending a man or woman away who has
come out here for the purpose OF seeing me or my
house. or course, | have to do il occasionally,
but it is always disagreeable to me needlessly to
disappoint anyone Those women whom you
saw are a good, staunch New England type and |
like them in spite of their lack OF tact and their
abrupt manners. They are good, Woodworking
women, who make good wives and good mothers.
And yet, the other day, | was greatly amused at
one of the same class who came here with a large
basket-whether she had anything to sell ! did
not ascertain-apparently for the purpose of tell
ing ne that she had read 8 Evangeline from be-
ginning to end, and, she added, there hen't
many folks can say that l am convinced now
that she had no intention whatever of being rude
to me. She was merely awkward and nervous, and
said what she did not mean to say. l asked her
f she had found the reading of Evangeline'
such a dreadful task. The question seemed to
surprise Lr she grew embarrassed, and showed
plainly that she had no recollection of having said
anything unconplimentary."