Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1885-02-06
BANCROFT, THEHIsToRfAN.
a PEN Picture OF the Venerable Writer
Modern Life and Longevity.

1 - EoAh ElcIure OF the teuefdO4e NVrlDcr-
Modern Life and Longevity.
|
Bancroft, the historian, is one of the
most noticeable figures in Washington
society, writes a correspondent of the
| New York World. The remarkable
| preservation of his vigor at the adj
vaneed age of 81 years is what makes
him most interesting. He is not the
| most charming conversationalist in the
world. He fairly roars as he talks. He
appears always as if he were address
ing someone dozen yards away. He
shonts several sentences at a friend in
this high key and then without waiting
or listening to anyone else he moves to
| address someone else. He calls as
much as the most active society young
man. He Starts in and out of the lead
ing houses of the town with light skip
that is almost offensive in its exuberant
agility. This veteran still has slim
erect, figure. His legs are straight.
There is no weakness there. He holds
himself together with all that goes to
make a good military set-up. He is es-
pecially agile in the presence of ladies,
and under the inspiring glance of a
lovely society bud The veteran curvets,
SHES, and skips with the hghtsome
grace of some of the thoroughbreds he
has been SO fond of riding in the past.
This is picture of him as saw him
the other day: He sat in low, easy
pony phaeton drawn by stout black
horse, wearing plain, unornamented
harness. just back of him in the rum
bic sat his favorite colored groom, who
held the reins over the historians left
shoulder. The old man wore dark
h1..a
pulled well down upon his cleaning
eyes, looking out through huge pair
of round, heavily gold-mounted glasses
resting upon real hawk nose. A
snowy-white, silky mustache and beard
brought out his high fresh color, and
stood out III strong contrast with the
dull black of his heavy pilot-cloth over
coat, while about his legs was an af-
CHAN of red, black, and yellow wor-
steds. 1t was warm, sunny day. His
horse logged along with a steady gait,
while the veteran roared a soliloquy at
his servant about his calling places.
The man leaned forward deferentially
and superintended the calling list.
When he said stop the veteran would
throw aside his afghan and skip up the
steps, seeming to restrain himself by an
effort from turning handsprings on his
way.
Mr. Bancroft lives very regular
life, and rs he has always taken s great
deal of outdoor exercise, it is not hard
to account for his long life He has
never burdened himself with work. He
has keen all his long. life writing a his
tory that could have been written in
ten years with moderate labor. One
page of manuscript day 81 250 words
he regards as a good days work. Mr..
Blaine, his fellow-historian, a man in
the full yigor of his life, regards 1,oO0
words day as ali any man can be ex-
pected to do well for period of pro-
tracted work. Think of this, oh! mer-
ciless editors, who crack the whip over
newspaper reporters!
Up to the close of last fall he has al
ways devoted several hours a day to
notwithstanding. He has ridden young
dancing thoroughbreds. 1t has been
a theory with his friends that he would
be killed some day by his devotion to
this class of horseflesh, but he has very
good fortune. He had very narrow
escape this winter, and that, with an
other misfortune, has put an end to his
riding for the winter. One horse he
had sent to him from Kentucky he ask
ed his groom to try for him before
mounting. This was an unusual re-
quest, as the old gentleman generally
tries his own horses. The horse show
cd bad temper from the start, reared so
violently as to fall over backwards, |
nearly killing the groom. The second
venture was also Kentucky one. This
cost Mr.. Bancroft $1,000. The horse
went dead lame soon after the purchase
4 i. /
Upon the vicious horse he got his mon
ey back. Mr.. Bancroft expects to re-
sumo his horseback rides in the spring.
Several gentlemen in Speaker Car
isles rooms were talking of Bancroft
and other old men who have passed be-
yond 80. 1t was evident from the cases
of the men present that the conditions
of modern life are favorable to iongevi-
ty. One gentleman from Maine told of
seeing at Topsham, in that state, in the
recent campaign, six men who were
over S5, while one on the stand was 80.
Another, Capt. Davis, aged 50, sent |
greetings, but was unable TO come. An |
Ohio man spoke of Robert Crottie, who |
lives near Toledo. He is 103. He |
served as lieutenant in the battle of |
Lake Erie. Mr.. Carlisle spoke of Capt. |
Graham, Joe Blackburn father-in-law,
who danced at ball at the age of SO,
and who sat out great dinner glvenin |
his honor at Louisville upon his Tooth |
birthday. He is yet living. Itwas on
ly the other day that Gen. Harney, of |
the army. aged 81, married. What
lie is the old saw, $50 it while you are |
young, for when you are old You
can't