Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-26
Mrs. GARFsssIlrsa z.saz
.~-s-- esfs.5-
Her Quiet Life nai the Inprevcs.s as,s
In Her Appcs1ance-Miss Molly md
the Boys. 49, X

MIS- GARFIELD has made her home in Cleve-
land, and selected her surroundings in so quiet
and careful a manner that Comparatively few of
the late Presidents more intimate associates
have any knowledge Of her plans and of her ~
lie. Her house Is q plain brick structure, sit
uated on a small lota in Prospect street. She
PAID $4,000 Tor 1t, and regards it more In the
ngnt OF an investment than as permanent home
FOR herself and children. The affections Of the
Garfield family are evidently conferred In the cot
tage at Mentor. and there is an impression that
theE residence at any other place will be tempo
rary The occupants Of the city home at present
are Mrs. Garfield, the late Presidents mother;
Mrs Larable, his sister, who is In failing health
Miss Molly Garfield, andthe younger boys, Irwin
ana Aoram. The solemn-loOking footman who
ushels the visitor into the drawing-room is the
only ceremonious 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 seldom sits dim
ner through, and when the dessert is served she
takes whatever she fancies in her hands and ad-
Journs 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 q little wicker rocking-chair, busted
with her knitting or the daily papers.
Miss Molly is now q charming girl Of sixteen,
and to her has fallen greater share of physical
beauty than to any other member Of the family.
She Is pursuing her studies at private school,
and has few acquaintances 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 shrewd mother
wit. For 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 repeating, word
for word, an extract from an eastern paper in
which he was made to appear as a very model
OF juvenile excellence.
Irwin and Abram, the youngest boy, together,
form what might be called team. They are
regular young athletes, and are the prime
movers In the boyish sports Of the neighbor-
hood. Harry and James are in the transition
state-neither men nor boys: Harry is some
what romantic, being fond of painting, poetry
and vocal and instrumental music. He draws
very cleverly, has pleasant tenor voice, and is
unusually skillful at the piano for Of his age
While he Is creditable student, his mind is
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 out
door games.
Mrs: Garfield herself is changed woman, and
one who saw her two years ago, burdened with
the responsibilities of a life she never cared for,
would scarcely recognize her, 80 much is she
| improved. The deep lines that once marked her
face are gone, and in their stead is an express
sion that belongs only to one who is well con-
| seemingly forgetful Of the past and unmlndft,l
of the future, and yet to one knowing her it is
apparent that she has regard for both. When
asked by visitor who was paying her visit
OF coincidence, II she was not comforted by the
fact that the entire world mourned with her,
she replied, eyes, wien think about it."
To her friends Mrs. Garfield seldom speaks of
her late husband as 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 pertain
Ing to his sickness in the way Of pictures busts
resolutions of respect, and the like are placed
by themselves in memorial room. In her
drawing room is fine portrait of Gen. Garfield,
taken In his uniform; on the piano rests the pic
ture Of Queen Victoria, which she sent to Mrs
Garfield. and on ia bic are a few books. mostly
classic authors.
1t is understood that no member Of the fam
lily will go to Washington during 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.