Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-06-28
Anecdotes of Jefferson.


My recollection of Mr.. Jefferson, says
an old gentleman Of Virginia, is vivid,
as | knew him we'll, and often visited
ut Monticello. He WAS the hand
soonest man ever saw, as straight as an
arrow, very dignified and courteous in
his manners to all. A superb rider, he
exercised himself on horseback till the
last year OF his life. The University of
Virginia was his pet scheme, and he
vas very proud of it as being his own
achievement At its first session
entered AS student, and Mr.. Jefferson
VAS always pleased to have us
students at his table. Upon these occa-
sions we were generally seated around
the table, when Mr.. Jefferson would en-
ter and walk straight to an adjoining
side table specially prepared for him,
and upon which were placed two light
ed candles and a smallivial by his plate.
He would then say: my daughter, l
perceive there are several young gentle
men at the table, but / do not see well
enough to distinguish who they are, so
you must tell me their names" Where
upon his daughter would lead him up to
each Young gentleman, who would in
turn rise. when jefferson would shake
hands and pass pleasant word with
him. At the close Of the repast, as his
own hand was too trembling, his daugh-
tnr would pour from the little vial into
"a tumGlsr a few drops of medicine to
produce slumber in case he should be
wakeful, and then he would take up the
|, l. 10 OF fol
bow to the assemblage, and retire to his
bed room. He always had company at
his house, and observed the French
hours for meals.
A relative of Mr.. JtffersOn's, though
very desirOus of visiting him, was yet
disinclined to thrust his rusticity and
illiterateness on his great kinsnan.
Upon one occasion. however, he was
prevailed upon to attend social gath
erius at Monticello, when, upon being
ushcred into the salon, he was duly pre-
scented by Mr.. Jefferson to the company.
Daring Hi ceremony the awkward
cuuntryman slipped up several times on
the well-waxed floor, and then, seating
himself, thoroughly i'll at ease, WAS per-
feclly silent. After chatting with some
of his guests, Mr.. Jefferson took seat
beside his relative and made an unusual
effort to he agreeable, talking on all
manner os topics, but without even re-
ceiviug answers to his queries or making
the slightest impression upon the visl-
tor, who remained as dumb ms an Oys-
ter. In despair of drawing him out,
Mr. J JoGerson happened to ask him If he
liked "black- Jack" fishing. The country
mans eyes snapped, and his mouth
poured forth a gaTrulOus budget in re-
gard to his favOrite sport, TO all which
Mr. Jefferson, amused, as were the 9TH
ers present. listened attentively. When
at last the countryTnan made an end.
Mr. JersOn opened up elequedtly on the
same subject. displaying an intimate
knowledge of "black jack" so far sur
passing that of his relative that the lat
ter was held spell bound. When the
great Signer stopped talking the coun-
tryman rushed for his hat and bolted
from the mansion, nor could vociferouS
calls persuade him to return.
There Was greater of, but less faith IN,
Jefferson than his relative exhibited,
among the Northern Fedcralists, who
firmly believed that he was little better
than Antichrist. A story illustrative OF
the state of feeling with regard to the
French Party is related of d pious old
Fuleralist lady who lived in a town in
Connecticut. 1t was believed in her
neis IboIhood that if the Federalists
were uvcrthrOWn, and the Jefferson Dem
ocrats came into power, the Christian
religion would he put down and athe
ism proclaimed, and proclaimed, and
among the first prosecutions would be
the destruction of all the Bibles. The
lady referred to was terribly wrought
up at this prospect, and cast about Ill
her mind how she should preserve the
scriptures in the general destruction
At length it occurred to her to go to
Squire s., the only Democrat OF her
acquaintance, and throw herself upon
his mercy. She accordingly took her
family Bible to him, and telling him
that she had heard of the intention of
the Jeffersonians, asked him to keep 1t
for her. The Squire attempted to per
suade her that her fears were ground
ess, but she was too panic-stricken to
be convinced. At last he said,
My good woman, if all the Bibles are
to be destroyed, what is the use of bring
ing yours to me? That will not save it
when it is found"
"Oh yes" she pleaded, with a charming
burst of trust. "You take it; it will be
perfectly safe. They'll never think of
looking in the house of Democrat for a
Bible Editors Drawer, in Harper's
Magazine for July.