Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-19
LEVI MoRToN's HOME LIFE.
The Republican Candidate for Vice Presl-
dent in the Bosom of His
Family.

Levi Parsons Morton, Republican NOM
inee for ce-president, lives at his coun-
try seat at Rhinebeck-on-the-Hu Hudson.
about one hundred miles above New
York.
Mr.. Morton, with his family, is tenn
porarily occupying the Huntingdon cot
tage at Rhinebeck. A drive of nearly
three miles from the depot brings one
to the entrance to the grounds. Through
an avenue of pines and beautifully
trimmed hedges a winding path takes
one to the cottage. 1t is a Gothic struc-
ture, painted a sort of drab hue, and is
furnished with wings amply sufficient
to protect Mr.. Morton's brood of pretty
chickens. Broad piazzas all but encircle
it. From them one secures views of a
magnificent stretch of velvety lawn,
studded here and there with a monster
pine or maple. From the rear a series
of terraces break the way to a small "a
vine, whence comes the babble Of a
brook. In response to the visitors ring
a quite English butler appeared and
ushered the visitor into his masters IL
brary. 1t is a beautifully furnished
apartment. The floor is of polished oak,
the feet fairly sink in the soft Turkish
rug that decorates it; an ebony table or
naments the center of the room; a desk
Of the same material occupies place at
the eastern end. Soft cushioned chairs
and lounges tempted the caller to sit or
recline. The walls and mantels were al
most concealed with a profusion of choice
paintings and engravings. Over in one
corner stood a carved etagere, on the
top of which rested bust, whose fea-
fI1rnC bava StTi TacaT11 b1anca TO tho
winsome face of Chauncey Mitchell De-
pew.
Mrs, Morton's beauty has been de-
scribed too frequently to require repeti-
ton here. She is rather tall, though her
rounded figure readily DISCUSSES the fact.
Her carriage is stately and her manners
genial. Though perhaps forty-two years
old and the mother of five daughters,
Mrs. Morton appears to be younger. Her
features are blonde, her hair is Just
tinged with gray, and is worn in the pre-
vailing fashion. Her eyes are a grayish
blue, and look straight through one.
Mr.. Morton is exceedingly domestic in
his disposition. He is devoted to his
wife and family. Though a member of
the Union League and other clubs, he
rarely drops in except in company with
his wife, when he attends a dinner or
reception. He can always be found at
his home in the evening. He gives
abundantly of his millions for charitable
purposes. In 1880 Congress placed the
Constellation at the disposal of those
who desired to succor the victims of the
famine in ireland. Mr.. Morton learned
that no offer had been made to load the
vessel. He addressed letter to morn
ing paper in which he said: You are
authorized 10 announce that a gentleman
known to you. who declines to have his
name made public, offers to pay for one
quarter of the cargo of the Constellation
if other parties will make up the bal
anCe." The proprietor of the newspa-
per, however, and w. r. Grace contrib
uted each one quarter, and other gentle
men furnished the remainder.
Of late Mr.. Morton has not been quite
so active in business as in former years.
When in town he reaches his offices liz
the Mutual Life Building about 10 M
and leaves by 3 d. m. Just now he IS
avoiding the festive political heeler by
remaining in the country. 1t has been
his custom to spend a portion of each
summer at his cottage, Lair Lawn"
Newport.
The salt atmosphere aggravated a
neuralgia ailment contracted by his wife.
He therefore concluded to purchase
property along the Hudson and build a
villa there. A thousand acres three
miles south of Rhinebeck, belonging to
the William Kelley estate, were pur-
chased by him. A regal villa will be oc-
cupied by him and his family in a very
few days. A more beautiful spot than
EllerSlie does not exist.