, 1885-12-19
REMma51gso Or HENRY CLAY.


REMlNa5CEisC-5 Or HENRY CLAY.
A Child's Impressions Of the Statesman
Forty Years MS winning Ways.
Henry Clay occupied a large share OF
the public attention during my early
childhood. Every man, woman or child
was for or against him. Ienrolled myself
in the latter class. My greatest delight
was to sing on all occasions possible, such
snntches OF the campaign songs as | could
remember, from constantly hearing them
about me. ridiculing and setting forth In
the most uncharitable manne all the
points of attack which could be suggested
against an unfortunate candidate, either
real or fabricated.
One evening, as my little sister and my
aelf were amusing ourselves with some
play, our father entered the room with o
stranger:
children, he said, come and see Mr.,
Clay"
/ should have mentioned that l had
often resolved, in case of ever meeting
with this great paragon OF perfection 10
thousands OF people,, | would be quito
cool, and let him become aware that 1T
least one being there was who would nos
Immediately yield to the charming man
AtA nut B'1AAAhA discrimination ~ N9n Wv
DRAFTED as exercising over all whO made
dis acquaintance.
AcHILD's OPEN CONFESSION.
But In one moment my preiudices were
oil gonei
How beautifully he spoke TO usl How
swimming his smile, as he smoothed our
sleads, saying;
Il am sure the children and myself sYin
&c close friends"
His conversation, in words and style,
was perfectly calculated to please and in
Serest our young minds.
| resolved to confess my sins, and to
utart absolved on my newly formed
friendship. would render myself more
worthy OF so kind a greeting-morc de-
uerving Of confidence.
"Mr. Clay" said | boldly, II have been
I very naughty girl nave sung wicked
nongs about you; but I will never, mover
do so again, II you will forgive me-"
Indeed. - he answered, Il can hardly be-
.ieve that
"Yes, sir | continued, concluding 20
make u clean breast Of 1t, and I taught
them to my little sister,
She hung her head, but his pleasant
amile o restored her composure.
Let me hear something you sang about
me, will you nots' he asked.
With flaming cheeks I repeated this
verse:
-Ohi old Cooney Clay.
Oh! old Cooney Clay, atA
You. never can be President,
For SO the people cay. I
Go homes the song, where yot huloa-.
And there forever stay D.
He laughed heartily, and seemed to en-
Joy the seriousness with which we re-
garded our offenses. He Immediately
granted dissolution and sealed the pardon
with n kiss.
MR. cLAY's KINDNESS To CHILDREN.
From that day our conpanionship in
creased.
Mr.. Clay resided at the same hotel with
our family Din Washington) He Joined
our group ut thc table. / sal next him
and was the special object OF hi ere.
His own servant attended him at
meals, and was instructed to wait upon
me most carefully.
He was a very black, tall man, reserved
and dignihed. His eye was constantly
upon his master, whose slightest wish he
seemed to anticipate, AT dinner Mr.. Clay
drank s%paringly OF sherry. which he had
brought with him to the hotel. Every day
he poured himself tho harmless quantity
into my small glass which / must sip,
while he pnrtook Of his own not very gem
orous allowance.
His rooms were ON the same floor with
our own, and we children had the ontreo
ut all times we chose. lie never locked
his doors, and frequently came into the
parlor to find us in full possession.
Whether he came alone OF brought gen.
tlemen with him, he would not allow us to
be disturbed. II we arose to leave. no
would request US to proceed with our
game, or whatever our occupation
might be.
Often, when we were enjoying a quiet
chat with him, and visitors came in-the
prominent, the influential, and most dis
tinguished representative men Of the time
he would insist on our remaining.
Whether business or courtesy prompted
the calls, Il made no difrerence-wc were
invited to stay.
Many times when he came in, fatigued
from his duties in the senate, he would DO
delighted to have us brush his hair. which
seemed 10 give him true comfort and rest.
Once he allowed me to cut n little from
his thin locks, already suffering from
many such depredations.
His sociability and good nature were
u~nbounded. never but once saw him
change his manner or mood; and that was
when, with deep detection, he told my
mother Of the b~ereavements he had sus-
tanned in the loss Of "siX lovely and be-
loved daughters
BIDDING A LAST "uoOD-BYR.r
The last time | met Mr.. Clay was in
New Orleans, whittier l had accompanied
my mother on a visit. Mr.. Clay clme
from Washington to spend som weeks
with his friend, DIR. Mercer. lie was then
10 proceed up the Mississippi To his "Old
Kentucky Home" He appraised us Of his
arrival by sending his servant to ask us II
/ would not come and see him, as his
health would not enable him TO call Oh MS.
| at once obeyed the summons. and
found him in a very feeble condition.
Many visitors were strictly forbidden, but
he gave directions that | was always to be
admitted. Ever morning for -everal
days / went to see him. Iii smile OF
welcome as he looked around from his
easy chair, where he passed most OF his
time, TO ascertain who was coming into
the room, Is fresh In my mind ~ though
II had but yesterday beamed on me with
Its ineffable sweetness As uionsh but
yesterday l had received an aiisa.ilaatc
glance Of recognition from the Kindly
eyes, which III up his face with a kindly
expression in response to my good morn.
ing"
At last the day anne when | must say
good bye and It proved "A final one.
Whom / presented myself at the door. his
a%ervant, who had so long known me. met
mo and said.