The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-04-07
GENERAL LEW WALLACE.
EMILY MEIGs RIPLEY.

In april, 1878, the writer was in the golden age "when the years are all summers" Her happy lot it was to visit Mrs. Lew Wallace in Crawfords- vile, Ind, the home where the imag- mary child Ben- Hur was growing up. The famous "chariot race was on" at that very time, and one might fancy in would have destroyed the family as thoroughly as the car of Juggernaut crashing through the house; but not so, for General Wallace adds to his greatness the supreme grace of being amiable at home. It is pleasure to remember that during the week spent so near Ben- Hur and the "wife of his youth" the sky was not darkened by one impatient word. The crack of that chariot whip is heard around the world in seven different languages, but it never fell upon those of his own household. Ire book was dedicated to his lady love, royal offering, worn with every womanly grace be- fitting it.
 General Wallace's manner was so courtly that the first half the day the visitor trembled and wished him away, that she might enjoy the charming wife unoppressed by his imperial presence. But the gulf was bridged by his own music. The next morning the house fairly quaked as he paced his study to the tune of "Good old Ortonville," or some other bull wark of the Methodist hymn book, roared so Justify that it might have walked mummy! At the breakfast table he said, with awful stateliness, "Did you hear sounds of melody from my room this morning?" "Yes," said the bashful maiden (who still had the ear ache), "but I should call that bellow-dy." The singer stared for an instant, not being used to such very plain English, then burst into laugh as merry the Cheery6le Brothers. The ice was broken, and behold, the waters beneath were warm-the veri- est fountain of life and good cheer.
 The "Ben Hur" study had but few requirements for this easily satisfied man, 80 he had chosen little nook as far from the household sounds as pos- sible, and as barren of "modern con- veniences" as monks cell. The children of his fancy needed no seats they peopled the air-and he occupied the only chair in the room. All the rest of the furniture stood on the four legs of table-pens and paper heaped confusedly on big blotter, the New Testament, Geikie's "Lite of Christi" "Ivanhoe," and few reference books. The door was always shut for work, but opened readily for play, and the visitor usually knocked as she passed, and always heard the cordial "Come in," responsive to her Interruptions. Then he would tilt back in his chair and pocket his hands, like all other men. Often he would read aloud what he had just written, and asked if it would do in a way that would have flattered the very elect, and which gave rise to the visitors doubtful boast that she had helped write "Ben- Hur" - that is, she hindered; but it was all the same, so the author had made her think.
 This was courtesy, pure and simple, and an example to less busy men. He wrote first on slate to rub out easily, then on soft paper with a pen cil. His patience in going over and over the the same ground till he had brought it up to his standard would have commanded the respect of an ant. The final copy of the book was on large, unruled paper, in violet ink, so exquisitely done that the profess sional reader of the Franklin Square house declared it the finest manu- script ever offered him.
 General Wallace's absentmindedness is proverb in his family, which brings down many a gibe on his head, and before the laughter at his putting sugar in his soft boiled egg (two heaping spoonfuls) had died down he might be seen just as deliberately salting his coffee. This quality might be one of heredity, if certain wild legends pointing toward his maternal grandfather are true.
 He always had time for household matters, and could and did minister to them as we'll as he could, and did minister plenipotentiate. His wife said one day: "Lew, the little bantam hen has matched her family" "Has she2" said he. "How manya" with as much interest as ii they were American eagles. And when she asked him to Ego and take her off" he went, and could be seen stepping down be- fore the nest, handling the tiny hair spring chickens tenderly enough to suit even the fussy bit of mother. If those chicks knew who it was that set them up housekeeping they would have all grown up peacocks.
 | He carries but two signs of his years about him Che was born in