Daily Honolulu press. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1886, 1886-03-10
"REMINISCENCES OF HENRY CLAY.
A Child's Impressions of the Statesman
Forty Years Ago-His winning Waya.

in the latter class. My greatest delight
was TO sing on all occasions possible, such
snatches of the campaign songs as could
remember from constantly hearing them
about me, ridiculing and setting forth in
the most uncharitable manner 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
self were amusing ourselves with some
play, our father entered the room with a
stranger:
"Children," he said, "come and see Mr..
Clay"
should have mentioned that | had
often resolved, in case of ever meeting
with this great paragon of perfection Ito
thousands of people),I would be quite
cool, and let him become aware that at
least one being there was who would not
Immediately yield to the charming man
ners and peculiar fascination he was cele-
brated as exercising over all who made
his acquaintance.
A CHILD's OPEN CONFESSION.
But i'll one moment my prejudices were
all gonel
How beautifully he spoke to usl How
winning his smile, as he smoothed our
heads, saying:
II am sure the children and myself will
be close friends.n
dis conversation, in words and style,
was perfectly calculated to please and in
terest our young minds.
| resolved to confess my sins, and to
start absolved on my newly formed
friendship. would render myself more
worthy of so kind greeting-more de-
serving of confidence
Mr. Clay" said l. boldly, 81 have been
very naughty girl, I have sung wicked
songs about you; but / will never, never
do so again, If you will forgive me-"
'Indeed," he answered, 81 can hardly be-
reve that"
Yes, SIR | continued, concluding to
make clean breast of it, "and taught
them to my little sister"
She hung her head, but his pleasant
smile soon restored her composure
Let me hear something you sang about
me, will you nots" he asked
With flaming cheeks / repeated this
verse:
"Oh! old Cooney Clay, Tgs5ssssS,
Oh! old Cooney Clay, A3s4S1
You never can be President -ae
For so the people say.
Go homes the song, where you belong,
And there forever stay"
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 kiss.
MR.. CLAY's KINDNESS TO CHILDREN.
From that day our companionship in
creased
Mr. Clay resided at the same hotel with
our family lin Washington.) He Joined
our group at the table l sat next him,
and was the special object of his care
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 dignifed. His eye was constantly
upon his master, whose slightest wish he
seemed to anticipate At dinner Mr.. Clay
drank sparingly of sherry, which he had
brought with him to the hotel Every day
be poured himself the harmless quantity
into my small glass which | must sip,
while he partook of his own not very gen
erOus allowance.
His rooms were on the same floor with
our own, and we children had the entree
III all times we chose. He never locked
his doors, and frequently came into the
parlor to find us in full possession.
tlemen with him, he would not allow us to
be disturbed, If we arose to leave, he
would request us to proceed with our
game, or whatever our occupation
might be.
Often, when we were enjoying 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, it made no difference-we were
invited to stay.
Many times when he came in, fatigued
from his duties in the senate, he would be
delighted To have us brush his hair, which
seemed to give him true comfort and rest
Once he allowed me to cut little from
his thin locks, already suffering from
many such depredations.
His sociability and good nature were
unbounded. never but once saw him
change his manner or mood; and that was
when, with deep detection, he told my
mother of the bereavements he had sus-
tanned in the loss of six lovely and be-
loved daughters"
BIDDING LAST GOODBYE"
The last time | met Mr.. Clay was in |
New Orleans, whittier had accompanied |
my mother on a visit. Mr.. Clay came |
from Washington to spend some weeks |
with his friend, DIR. Mercer. He was then |
60 proceed up the Mississippi to his "Old |
Kentucky Home" He appraised us of his |
arrival by sending his servant to ask us if |
| won, not come and see him, as his |
health would not enable him to call on us.
| at once obeyed the summons, and !
found him in very feeble condition. |
Many visitors were strictly forbidden, but |
he gave directions that was always to be |
admitted. Every morning for several
days | went to see him. His 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 as though |
it had but yesterday beamed on me with |
its ineffable sweetness As though but |
yesterday | had received an affectionate |
glance of recognition from the kindly |
eyes, which lit up his face with kindly |
expression in response to my good morn
ing.n
At last the day came when / must say |
goodbye" and it proved final one |
When presented myself at the door, his |
servant, who had so long known me, met |
me and said:
missile, master is very weak to-day. |
Orders are that he must be denied to all |
company, but he wishes TO see you"
In the darkened chamber, with voice |
tremulous with weakness and emotion, |
he conversed with me, and gave me the |
most beautiful and excellent advice that |
ever fell upon the ears of youth. He spoke |
of the untried future-that dim, uncertain
future, to which we all trust so much |