The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-06-13
THE MARsLE WIpOW.
Mrs. A. T. Stewards Isolation in Her Fifth
Avenue Psrior.
New York Morning Journal.l

New York Morning Journal
Alone in her marble palace lives the widow
Of &. T. Stewart His Iemains, which are
supposed 10 be resting beneath the magnifi-
ccnI mausoleum of Garden City. are scarcely
more secluded than is the personality of
Mrs Stewart.
The greater portion Of the Stewart man
sion is closed, but dust gathers upon its
painting and furniture, its blinds OF white
81 d gold shut out the exterior view, and
save small suit of rooms on the western
corner the mansion Is rsctically deserted.
There is something touching IN her splendid
isolation within the call Of the fashion, care,
elegance and busting activity of restless
social world.
lady with silvery gray hsir, whose
Il atures ere still clearly cut and bear the ev-
iderces of refine meut, is Mrs. Stewart. Her
eyes ale yet undimmtd. She stoops slightly.
She is of kindly presence, although her
features bear the traces of much suffering,
and q babitual sternness OF expression
.ettled upon her features when in repose.
Her face, when lit up with the interest OF
passing topic, affords to the observer q fair
iGes of what Mrs Stewart was 10 her prime.
With the aid of silver crCtch-handled cane
she can get about fairly. But there are
times when the services of her personal at
stncant are much in request.
Mis-. Stewart is q woman OF method. When
able. she rises by 10 o'clock, and breakfasts
Usually alone. Her tasks are few and mod
est, and her rich bat simple breakfast cqni-
paee contains the old-fssbionsd meal of tes,
dry toast and some light. easily digested
/ God, as chicken or fish. Wines she rarely
touches, save toward evening, preparatory to
retirement, between and 10 e'clock, when
a glass of port acs IS gentle stimulant 10
night of peaceful repose.
But despite her long years of mourning,
life mas certain duties to be performed, and
business tact. inherited probably from her
husband, IS still characteristic OF Mrs. Stew
ats domestic habits.
There are certain pensioners to be locked
after, accounts Of personal expenditures TO
be investigated, letters TO DE answered, and
old friends to be received. Besides all these
her signature has to be obtained TO sundry
butines loTmaliues that are indescribable.
A this takes up more time than would at
FIST appear.
one of her favorite pastimes, peculiar to
many old people, is TO indulge in the luxurg
of having her hair brushed. He silver
bIai6s are long and fine, and Though increas-
n years may bave told upon her strength,
time hss added to rather than detractsd
from the glory Of her hair. This operation
usually lasts Tor an hour or more, while her
cOmpaRiOn-soEle times it IS relative
reads from the newspa sers, or from rellgi
Gus book, as her fancy inclines
Her moods ere various. ana capIlcious.
Ever changing fancies are continually occur
ring 10 her mind. One day she may be
bright. ssnguine ssd exceedingly pleasant;
the next she Inay be pluzge1 into utter dss-
pr nc eacy, and will refuse comfort from her
most attached friends. When labOring under
these morbid ref ectons she hes beeo known
TO lie for hours upon her couch utterly
alone.
Her husbsnds portrait hangs in her bed
room, prots cted by small curtain. She
viii look at it for an hour at time, end
tt en- sgain the curtain will remain tightly
dIaNn for days.
Under seine conditions her vitality is sur
prising and her aealth, upon the whole, 10
good considering the mental suffering she
has undergone. Her palace is watched night
and day, and TO get to see Mrs. Stewart Is
one OF the impossibilities to those who are
not included among her warm est friends.