Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-09-07
GREYS'rUNH GARNI:URE.

= lONIl u "A EGN u
The Gorgeous Retreat in Which the Aged
Samuel Awaits he Setting of Kills Earthly
Sun, Surrounded by Lavish Luxury and
Attended by a Ninistering Angel at so
Much Per Month.
HASTINGS ON THE HUDSON, Special Cores
pondence, Aug 23.-Nyack, or the Place Of
Elms, as it WAS named by the Indians, succeeds
the little towns Of Tappan and Piermont.
Strange old stories of an Indian maiden's curse
resi- upon its elm frnged heights, Summers
drought and winters cold," the terrible pen
atty the town must pay because it's old Dutch
settlers raised hue and cry when
An Indian maid was borne away
In her lovers arm at twilight gray.
From Nyack we wandered no:tiwayd to Haver-
straw, noted for its brick hilrs, then to Stony
Point where gallant old Antony Wayne penned'
the laconic message: s'The Amer can flag
waves here" at o'clock one morning to
Gen. Washington. This Western Point, with
Verplanck's Point on the east shore, forms the
southern pass OF the Highlands, while old
ssCro'nest," so called from depression near
the summit of the mountain, and Storm King,
above West Point, form, with Breakneck
mountain opposite, the northern gate Of the
Highlands. Before invading this stronghold
of military science, fashion and deliciously do
lightful scenery, we crossed to the eastern
shore and descended the river to that portion
of the country over which the genius
of Washington Irving has cast a
legendary spell Down through the
Sleepy Hollow woodlands we came one
golden afternoon, quietly thinking over the
scene successfully the Paulding monument we
s.nl J., ~
ond Sidney, the scholarly gentleman and ao-
der Andre, was taken. We we're on our way
to Graystone, ex-Gov. Tilden's superb coun-
try seat, between Hastings and YoDkers.
Down past Ardsley, a summer home OF Cyrus
". Fields, and the Jay Gould palace at Irving
ton, we invaded--as guest, be it understood
several Of the less world-renowned and per-
haps more rurally beautiful mansions and
baronial parks of this glorious Hudson shore.
Nowhere in the world is hospitality so thor
onghly charming and unostentatious as among
old Westchester county families, nowhere does
people so quickly find their own
level. If that level rise with the
fingers Of Jay Gould ON the pulse Of the
stock markets, you will doubtless become a
guest upon the exquisite yacht Atlanta, de-
wiedy white marble chateau rising from IT.
vington's locust woodlands. If you have dabhled
in the literature of our country and belong TO
that peaceful old school Of seno1-poets and
deml- journalists who have dwelt in the Idle
wilds and Underclifs along this marvellous old
river, then the gates of the far-famed Sunny
side admit you to the perfect peace Of its cuI-
tured repose. If, however, the money markets
of the present and book knowledge of the
past have no charms for you, then,
perhaps, politics may lead you to seek
the genial, gentlemanly ex governor
in the casted heights Of Graystone. Ten to
one if you see him. He believes in the dolce
far niente Of quiet life, not strictly home
life, for, since his elegant and womanly sister
has elected to retire to home of her own in
New York, the good ex- governor has wisely
yielded to the advice Of his distinguished
physician and resigned himself to the tenderly
thoughtful care OF most estlmable party,
one whom the Germans would call, ''alte gouver-
housekeeper nor high-born enough for COM
panion, but something of a return to first
principles-s devoted infantile department +
chief, q very competent nursery governess.
CASTLE T1DEN.
It would be quite impossible to describe the
architectural grandeur of Graystone.
medieval castle, with crenelated battlements
and towers of massive proportions. stands on
commanding hill, which Slopes down through
orchards and chestnut groves to the great
river. The central tower rises above 8 porch
approached by three colossal stone staircases.
The front is for carriages. You step at once
upon the granite pavement three feet above
the ground, and ascend to the broad porch
like veranda, while semi-circular steps lead
up from either side. The veshbule with tes-
is exquisitely carved in walnut, paneled
in porcelain and PAINTED in Egyptian
design above the elaborately carved panel
frames. 4 low-yoiced valet admits you to a
| q superb hall, nearly forty feet wide, and
running the whole length Of the mansion to
the river view piazza in the rear. The splendor
of Eastern looms gives portieres Of exquisite
workmanship to the grand salons and .recep-
ton rooms opening off from this huge hall,
carpeted with rugs of princely price,, and
and Vatican treasures. On the right; is r.
small study, library or: Office. the daily
abode of the ex-governor's private secretary.
Books. bells, telephone, sud we. believe
telegraph also, connect this room. With
New York and the rest Of We
| retiring rooms of tho ex-governor, where. be
rests from over srduous labors, and where he
! takes his afternoon nap, soothed to slumbes by
the voice OF his lady reader. Then the great
az there is no family to enjoy them. Beyond
this staircase, still on the left, is the dining
room. charming apartment furnished in
black walnut and green leather. great glass
closed etageres OF rare porcelains and silver,
tall ferns and palms and epergnes OF exquisite
exotics on everyside. The views of the river
and northern pleasure grounds from the broad
stone mulIionad windows of this room are
grand In the extreme. Crossing the hall we
pause for q moment on the broad
| veranda to look down on the green clover
fields, orchards, and that uondrous tree
| another Charter oak. but known in all thu.
country roand as the Tilden oAk-a toe which,
| so fascinated the governor 4 fem years ago that
b. had q solid embankment, sixteen feet high
shoveled down, so that he could soc thasoak
from this, verandA A tastefully- furnished
BOULDER, opposite the dining room, adioias the
draWing-room, which. in its furniture OF blne
| and gold. Is not unlike the blue rpon at the
White House. Superb vases Of ssvrss, Ores
den and Limoges, marvellous taHea and cab-
iAeAs OF Indian aud AbyssiniAnt workmanship,
| few master pieces Of French and
spanish art grace this pranceIy room.
Then almost HeAried at lookin9 ct the numer-
GUS art-objecta aud the elaborate enbroideries
Of tables, mAntles aud sofas. Ne enter faaei-
MATING little houdoir in Lfiian red shades OF
damaak and satin. HeEa< are portraits O. the