The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-06
large windows, and a conservatory OIL
one side make the house the enbodi-
Innnf Of CON, fort and lnxurN

large windows, and conservatory OH
one side make the house the eInbodi-
ment of comfort and luxury.
In the summer time the wide lawn
sloping to the lake shore in the rear and
to the street in front. makes the loea-
ton most desirable and beautiful
Within this home have lived until their
departure for Washington, the Post
master General, his wife, q lovely lady,
and three children, two daughters and
son.
AS government officials In this coun-
try seem to be public property, and
through them their families, it will not
be breach OF delicacy If l indulge in
some personalities in regard to this
family.
The elder daughter, Miss Nellie. il q.
mirably qualified to assist her mother
in her many arduous duties as prom
inent society lady Of Washington.
The two younger children, Henry,
aged IA, and Mollie, aged II, are very
interesting pair, and seem to be devoted
to each other.
Last summer Henry owned a minia-
ture horse and phaeton, and it was a
pleasant sight to see the two children
riding about together, so happy in each
others society.
One day as was sitting at my desk
in the public library Henry and Mollie
came in holding their hands behind
them in peculiar fashion. As was
interested in my writing / simply
saluted them and went ON with my
work, leaving them to look oyer the
books on the table. In moment was
startled by large bunch Of white liiacss
dropping on to the desk before me. +
quickly looked up to see where they
came from and to thank the donors, bslt.
the pair before me were SO iDtentiy
looking at the books that they paid no,
attention to my ordinations Of sur
prise and delight. 1 resumed my work
and i'm a few minutes the same thing
occurred again and again, until my
desk and lap were covered with white
lilacs, day lilies and blossoms of various
kinds. 1t was not until had gathered
them all together and placed them IN
vases that those children showed the
slightest interest In them. When I iif-:
sisted upon thanking them they seemed
much amused to think they had given
them to me in such an artless way. and
departed, saying they would bring me
more the next day. That little act of
childish generosity on their part did fnel
good for the rest Of the day; 1t vas SO
prettily done, and I involuntarily smile
when think Of their faces 80 interested
and yet trying not to show It. We
were sorry to lose them from Madison,
but will hope for their return next sum
mer, when congress takes vacations
and the gay people Of Washington try
to find some quiet spot in which tn
recuperate their exhausted energies
l attended recently the weekly rhetoE
ical exercises in our high school, ana
they were 80 interesting and conducted
on such q good plan that / think other
schools would be benefited by trying
the same If they have not already done
so. The subject Of the afternoon WAS
Whittier. our Quaker poet. First each
student recited quotation and told
what it was from; then short bio
graphical sketch was read. There were
several recitations, the selections bel.;E
"Our State" I'm School," Forgive
ncss,n Mary Garvin," and Burns, |"
There were some reflections on
Maud Muller,' review OF Barbara
Freitchie, the story OF the Witch's
Daughter" and . review Of sSnow~
bound" The exercises were closed
with the song, 20 Lovej q Liiel''s
words by Whittier.
The teacher, then asked what stats
was referred to In the poem Of that
name, explained that the only romance
limited at in Whittier's lie was In ths
little poem I'm School" !" and that DOS
sibly that was the reason he has always
remained q bachelor. There were
numerous questions asked, and the
teacher was prepared to answer them.
The pupils in that one afternoon
gained knowledge Of Whittier. his
style and peculiarities, that months Or
desultory reading would not have giyen
them. Next week they, are to have
James Russell Lowell. and then O. NJ.
Holmes. n. IA. " #
Madison. Wis.,, Jan. "a. 1883.