Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-07-01
MRS. GARsiELD's HOME.
Her Quiet Life and improvement In
Her Appearance.
The Cottage at Mentor Seldom Visited
Miss Molly sad the Boys-Their
Studies and nabits-Wai Never
Again Go to Washington.

Special Correspondence ofae Sunday Regisser.
CLEVELAND, June 29.-Mrs. Garfield
has made her home in Cleveland, and
selected her surroundings in 50 quiet
and careful q manner that Compare
lively few even of the late Presidents
more intimate associates have any
knowledge of her plans and of her daily
life. Her house is plain brick struc-
ture situated on small lot in Prospect
street. She paid $50, 900 for it, and re-
CARDS it more in the light of an invest.
ment, than as q permanent home for
herself and children. The affections of
the Garfield family are evidently CEN
tired in the cottage at Mentor, and there
Is an impression that there residence
at any other place will be temporary.
The occupants of the city home at pres
ent are Mrs. Garfield, the late Presi-
dents mother; Mrs. Larabie, his sister
who, is in falling health; Miss Molly
Garfield, and the younger boys, Irwin
and Abram. The solemn. looking foot
man, who ushers the visitor into the
drawing room, is the only ceremonious
person to be found in the house. In
consequence Of Mrs. CART ald's with
drawal from all society, the family
usually dine alone. Grandmother Gar.
field seldom sits q 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
a little wicker rocking chair, busiei
with her knitting or the daily papers.
Miss Molly is now charming girl of
l6, and to her has fallen greater share
of physical beauty than to any other
member of the family. She is pursu.
ing her studies at a private school, and
has few acquaintance outside of her
school associates. She is q 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 lie possesses a shrewd
mother wit. For a long time it was
thought that the children were ignorant
of the fact that they were ever the
subjects of public comment, but one
day, after Irwin had been corrected by
his mother, he astonished her by re.
an Eastern paper in which he was made
w aIPeai "S WHY hiouSi vi JuNehic
excellence.
Irwin and Abram, the youngest boy,
together, form what might be called
team. They are regular young ath-
letes, and are the prime movers in the
boyish sports of the neighborhood.
Harry and James are in the transition
state-neither men nor boys. Harry is
somewhat romantic, being fond Of
pointing, poetry, and vocal and instru.
mental music. He draws very cleverly,
has pleasant tenor voice, and is un.
usually skilful at the piano for one Of
his age. While he is creditable stu
dent, his mind is given up to such va
riety of subjects that he does not perfect
himself in any one of them. James is
in all respects Harry's opposite. He
leads in his classes, and Is much given
to outdoor games.
Mrs. Garfield herself is q changed
woman, and one who saw her two years
ago, burdened with the responsibilities
of life she never cared for, would
scarcely recognize her, so much Is she
improved. The deep lines that once
marked her face are gone, and in their
stead is an expression that belongs only
to one who is well content with the
world. She manages her affairs seem.
ingly forgetful of the past and nnmind.
full Of the future, and yet to one know.
ing her it is apparent that she has re-
gard for both. When asked by WISH
tor who was paying her visit of condo.
lence, if she was not cOmforte5- bv.tha
fer, She replied, ayes, when | think
about it,"
TO her friends, Mrs. Garfield seldom
speaks of her late husband a. dead, but
makes use of the present tense in her
illusions to him. In her surroundings
there is but little to denote the sad
tragedy of his death, and all things
pertaining to his sickness in the way
of pictures, busts, resolutions of re.
cpect, and the like are placed by them
selves in a memorial room. In her
drawing room is a fine portrait Of Gen.
Garfield, taken in his uniform; on the
piano rests the picture Of Queen Vic
toria, which she sent to Mrs. Garfield,
and on a table are few books, mostly
classic authors.
II is understood that no member OF
the family will go to Washington dur
ing the present administration. Mrs.
Garfield doubts if she can ever bring
herself 10 visit again the scenes o! the
saddles. ,nom4u1S Of her life.