Weekly commercial herald., 1885-09-11
PEA JAYS PEN PICTURE,
THE VENERABLE SAGE OFBRIAR-
FIELD.

Here, in the summer Of 1885, Capt.
Jefferson Davis, a retired army officer
put the ak to the root of the tree, and
carved out of the willow forest and
canebrake, home.
That home has since become famous
as the residence Of Col. Davis, of Mexi-
can war fame,
Of Gov. Davis,
OF Senator Davis,
OF Secretary of War Davis, and
OF President Jefferson Davis.
Here, again, after having expert
enced the full buoyancy of youth, after
having drank of politics and public af-
fairs to their brim, Jefferson Davis re.
turns, peaceful old man, enjoying his
books and flowers, and cheered by the
companionship Of those who through
a lifetime have never failed in their
sympathy nor lessened their support.
AS the correspondent ascended the
door steps he was met by Mr.. Davis,
by whom he was greeted most kindly.
But moment of explanation was
necessary, wheR an introduction to
Mrs. Davis added another to the little
group.
Mr.. Davis was dressed in a black al
paca suit. He stood erect, with a
firm position. When he sat down
upon the deerskin chair, which is his
favorite, it was in an upright position,
his shoulders we'll thrown back, one
hand resting in the other, and both
called into play as, through conversa-
tion, he used them in graceful gesture.
His face furnished a pleasant disap-
polntment. His pictures give one the
idea of dark-visaged, dyspeptic man,
of hard face and unapproachable man
ners. On the contrary, the original
shows kindly eyes, a fair face and a
mouth wreathed in a gentle smile, so
engaging as to dispell the idea of diff
ference in station. In fact, during the
four hours spent in his presence, this
kindly smile and pleasing manner nev-
er left him. In his conversation, too,
the same fact was noticed. Of
those whose conduct in the war
did not entitle them to his respect,
he spoke In terms of kindly in
terest, remembering only the good
that was in them. He spoke as a man
at peace with the world, as one who
had forgiven whatever wrongs Of
which he might have been the victim
as one in the evening of life, watching
the setting of the sun behind thu
many colored clouds, his cheeks famed
by gentle breezes and his thoughts
dwelling upon nature and natures
God. What beautiful old age it il
to which this venerable man has beer
spared after such life of storm anC
turmoil.
Mrs. Davis, whose social qualitie
will be remembered by the brillian
society in Richmond of which she wa
for three years the center, looked il
excellent health. She is lady of stoul
stature, and her face shows at once de
cision and womanly character. In con
versation she was quick, intelligent
and extremely thoughtful, censurins
none. mindful of those who had be
friended her family in the days of trial
and evincing great interest in the fam
lilies of the men who had fallen for tn
confederacy.
i Mr.. Davis said that he had left tn
war behind him, and with it public
life; he courted the privacy of hi
home, and did not intend to be draw
into controversial topics; hence wha
he said upon events leading to the wal
concerning the war itself, and event
following, is as a sealed book, an
must remain closed forever, so far a
your correspondent is concerned
Nevertheless he conversed pleasantly
on matters Of literary and philosophi
nature, to which he devotes muc
study. Both Mr.. and Mrs. Davis in
quired, affectionately, of man
Georgians whose memory they cherish
ed; of the peerless Gordon, the "righ
arm of Lees" of Gen. Colquitt; of Gen
Henry r. Jackson, whose bravery as
soldier in the Mexican war Mr.. Davi
well remembered, and especially of th
eloquent Hill, whose memory is a pre-
cious sentiment in the family.
"In the days." said Mrs. Davis
"when friends were needed, Mr.. Hi
came to me SO tenderly and offered hi
assistance with such consideratenes
that | can never forget it. 1 think,
she continued, shat the propose,
statue to him should be in recumben
position. 1t is so digniied and repre-
sents his sleeping power"
"Ah," replied Mr.. Davis, "a statue /
action, such as that of Patrick Henry
in Richmond, can not be surpassed 70
expression"
"And yet" resumed Mrs. Davis
"the eye becomes fatigued as it look
upon an active posture which is neve
changed, while you can look upon tn
recumbent statue of Lee for hours"
every true" said Mr.. Davis, "that
the statue Of man at rest, who's
work is finished. That Of Patricl
Henry is at work. appealing to the pee
pie. In looking upon either, my min
runs back to the occasion. AS to MI
Hill, in his Notes Upon the Situation
is due the present resurrection of tn
people, he should be remembered as il
action"
Mr.. Davis's favorite author is 81