The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-07-27
MRS. GARFIELD AT HOME
Her Quiet Life aud Improved Ap.
pearance-Nolly ana the Bows.

MRS. GARFIELD AT HOME
Her Quiet Life aud Improved Ap.
pearance-Mony ana the Boys.
From the New York Sun.
Mrs. Garfield has made her home in
Cleveland, and selected her surround.
ings in so quiet and careful a manner
that comparatively few Of the late presi-
dents more intimate associates, have
any knowledge of her plans and of her
daily life. Her house is plain brick
structure, situated on small lot in Pros
pect street. She paid $50. 900 for it, and
regards it more in the light Of an invest
ment than as permanent home for
herself and children, The affections of
the Garfield family are evidently CEN
tered in the cottage at NJ .ntor, and
there is an impression that their resi-
dence at any other place will be tempo
rary. The occupants Of the CITY home
at present are Mrs. Garfield, the late
presidents mother: Mrs. Larabie, his
sister, who is in failing health; Miss
Molly Garfield, and the younger boys,
Irwin and Abram. The solemn-looking
tootman VIII ushers the visitor into the
drawing room is the only ceremopious
person to be found in the house. In
consequence of Mrs. Garfeld's with
drawal from all society the. family usually
dine alone. Grandmother Garfield sell
dom sits dinner through, and when the
desert is served she takes whatever she
fancies in her hands and adjourns to the
library. She is the one occupant of the
house who is always visible. With her
white hair and white cap. she can be
seen at the window, in little wicker
rocking-chair, busted with her knitting
or the daily papers.
Miss Molly is now charming girl of
of physical beauty than to any other
member of the family. She is pursuing
her studies at private school, and has
few acouaintances outside of her school
associates. She is bright scholar, and
her mind is but little given to society
matters. Irwin is like the Rudolphs, his
mothers family. His mind is keen, and
he possesses a shrew.l mother wit. For
a long time it was thought that the chill
Gren were ignorant of the fact that they
were the subjects of public comment,
but one day, after Irwin had been cor
rected by his mother, he astonished her
by repeating word for word, an extract
from an eastern paper in which he was
made to appear the very model Of juven-
lie excellence.
Irwin ar d Abram, the Youngest boy,
together. form what might be called a
team. They are regular young athletes,
and are the prime movers in the boyish
sports of the neighborhood. Harry and
James are in the transition state-neith-
er men nor boys. Harry is somewhat
romantic, being fond of painting, poetry,
vocal and instrumental music. He
draws very cleverly. has pleasant ten
or voice, and is unusually sklllful at the
piano for one of his age. While he is a
creditable student, his mind is given up
to such variety of subjeotsthat he does
not perfect himself in any one of them.
James is in allrespects Harry's opposite.
He leads in his classes, and is much
given to outdoor games.
Mrs. Garfield herself is q changed wom-
an, and one who saw her two years
ago, burdened with the responsibilities
of life she never cared for, would
scarcely recognize her so much has she
improved. The deep lines that once
marked her face are gone, and in their
stead is an expression that belongs only
W OIlC " III Is well COue
tent with the world. She manages her
affairs seemingly forgetfull of the
past and unmindful of the future, and
yet to one knowing her it is apparent
that she has q regard for both. When
asked by visitor who was paying her
a visit of coincidence if she was not COM
forted by the fact that the entire world
mourned with her, she replied: Eyes,
when think about it,"
To her friends Mrs. Garfield seldom
speaks of her late husband rs dead, but
makes use of the present tense in her
illusions to him. In her surroundings
there is but little to denote the sad trag-
edy of his death, ard all things per.
tanning to his sickness in the way of
pictures, buses, resolutions of respect,
and the like are placed by themselves
in memorial room. In her drawing
room is q fine portrait of Gen. Garfield,
taken in his uniform; on the piano rests
the picture of Queen Victoria, which
she sent to Mrs. Garfield, and on table
are a few books, mostly classic authors.
1t is understood that no member of
the family will go to Washington dur
ing the present administration, and
Mrs. Garfield doubts if she can ever
bring herself to visit again the scenes
OF the saddest moments of her life.