Evening star., 1886-09-04
THE "PATHFINDER'S" BOOK.
The Fremont Family, and the Literary
Work They are Doing.

Slowly but steadfasty the national capital II
advancing towards being the recognzod liter
airy center OF the country. Mr.. Blaine
penned the most OF bis great work, "Twen-
~ Years in Congress-" here, where mate
rial was accessible, and here Hon. g. 8.
Cox, our facetious minister plenipoten-
tiary to Constantinople, indited 1.-TWO De-
cades in Congress-" Col. Nicolay and Col. Hay
will bring out their life of Lincoln In this city,
ana Mr.. w. ID. Howells, who has put his Bos-
ton house into the hands Of real estate brokers
To- rent, will probably spend large part OF next
ington lie may speedily get Itself written. But
a list OF the poets and writer's resident here
whose names are familiar, supplemented by q
roster OF the journalists aud magazine writer's
of talent on duty at this point, would extend
this chapter lar beyond the limits prescribed
Tor it, The latest literary candidate tor popular
favor emanaIing from this city is Gen, John G,
Fremont's book, the nrst volume al which Is 10
be published this week. For several months
evening, package Of copy, the work Of the
day, down 10 the post office, 70 be mailed 70
The work is entitled, "Memoirs OF My Life:
A Retrospect OF Fifty Years." The narration
includes the story of the young engineers five
Journeys of adventurous western exploration,
from the first expedition in 1912 TO the last
great exploit of 1854. The story Is of the con-
quest and development OF our great west. One
oi its most notable and interesting features ef
the book is II sketch of the lie of Senator Ben-
ton by his daughter, Mrs. Jessie Benton Free
mont, the WIG. but Tue DOCK, W1LQ
all its fine engravings, photographic views,
maps and portraits, and Its fascinating text,
will tell its own tale in due time.
What VIII most interest the public Just now 10
the method by which IL was written during the
summer days, in this city. The FremOnts, be 1t
known. then, live in sscommodious house that
oveTlooks the wooded grounds of the British
legation, The trees of 10Th street and the shrub
berry OF dupont Circle. The family at present
and their daughter. The two sous are married.
One Il in the navy, and the other lives in Mon
tana. The workroom Is ON the second hoOr OF
The house. The handsome bed-rO0Ip furniture
of the apartment was removed to give place 70
the necessary working outfit. There Is bay
window In tae e"st end Of the roop,, on the
right oi when Is p,aced the generals table,
surmounted oy u tall set of pigeon holes, where
letters, ha r. n"ie. .,,. AID papers are kept, or or
Mrs. FremOrts table, - large plain affair,
covered with green leather. The General dic-
taies, and Mis-. Fremont writes down each word
of the story as il falls from his lips, The family
group Is however not yet complete. In tue al
cove Is placed typewriter, and with 1t Miss
Fremont, VINO made herself proficient in its use
III two days, transforms her mothers manu-
script into neat legible print.
here they ali work together, as happy as
need be, all day long. The rule of the house Is
10 rise at Z, take cup of tea and a ROLL and be.
GIN work at b, and continue until IL, when
nreahiast is taken. Al l O'clock they resume
for the day anu tor dinner is made In the
evening the copy is sent out, and in the morn
my other proof sheets are received from the
lstcs Oi most great men,-modesty and gentle
ness OF demeanOr. He Is now "a years old, but
looks scarce 6O. His hair, sLert beard and
mustache are white but his brown eyes are
clear ana bright AS stars, and his complexion
has the ruddy healthy glow 0i happy childhood.
hls height Is medium and his slight nxure 10
comfortably rounded.
Ii is now nearly iurty-five years since Jessie
Benton stole away from her fathers house. ON
u street. In this city, and married the youthful
explorer, tnen lieutenant in the army, against
her parents wish. To-day she sits beside him
proud ana happy, with the fond love-light In
her blue eyes, beamng with an added luster for
every year they have lived together. Mrs. FIRE.
monts hgure Is OF generous proportions, tall
by superb suit OF beautiful golden white hair.
Miss Fremont Is tLe worthy assistant OF her
parents IN their pleasant work. The lamily
VIII remain In their present quarters during the
coming winter, and expect tO cOm piete tnen the
second volume OF the memoirs. Fifty thousand
sets oi the work have heen engaged in advance,
and IT Is likely that this mum Der will be doubled
when the look is before the public.