Wichita eagle., 1888-07-29

Mrs. Morton, who takes great interest in
his candidacy, hoped to have the Ellerslie
villa ready for occupancy before the visit
of the committee SO as to receive them
there, but WIS disappointed.
1t was at the Huntington that Mr.. Nor
ton and his an1iable and beautiful wife
were found by reporter who visited the
statesman to learn something of his home
life. The reporter was ushered by e por-
ter into richly furnished library, the
walls Of which were ornamented by rare
and costly paintings and bric-a- brac. Soon
after Mr.. Morton returned from drive
to EIerslie and invited the reporter to q
seat on the broad versnda
During the chat that followed DIS cnarm-
ing wife appeared. Her beauty has been
described toe frequently to require repe-
tition here. She is rather tall, though
her rounded figure readily DISCUSSES the
fact. Her carriage is stately and her
manner genial. Though perhaps ~ years
old, and the mother of Eve daughters,
Mrs. Merton appears TO De younger. Her
features are blonde, her hair is Just tinsed
with gray, and is worn in the prevailing
fashion Her eyes are grayish blue,
ana 'ook straight through one
When pleased they dance merrily and
her face takes on fairly fascinating ex-
preston. No one who meets her will
wonder why her dinners and receptions at
Washington, Paris, Newport or New
York have become so popular with the
circle in which she moves. She is splen-
didly educated and shows it in her con
versation. An exquisite house costume
of gray and black striped silk sets OFF her
fna n aHvon. MrC Morton
listened 10 the conversation with much
apparent interest.
MIR. 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 il except in company with his
wife when he attends a dinner or re-
ception. He can always be found at his
home in the evening. When in the city
he resides at So Fifth avenue
OF late MIR Morton has not been quite
SO active in business as in former years.
When III town be reaches his Office in the
Mutual Life building about 10 d. m, and
leaves by 3 p. m. just now he remains
in the country. 1t has been his custom
to spend portion CT each summer at his
cottage. Fair Lawn" Newport.
The salt atmosphere aggravated a nell
ralgic ailment contracted by his WIFE He
therefore concluded to purchase property
along the Hudson and build villa there.
A thousand acres three miles south of
Rhinebeck, belonging to the William kel-
ley estate, were purchased by him. Hero
he built his summer homo and named Is
Ellerslie
To call it a cottage is a misnomer. It
is a mansion, if ever such building was
constructed. It stands upon a great
knoll which rises several hundred feet
above the level of the river, and can be
seen from points miles away up and down
the Hudson. The style is of the modern
Renaissance order. The material is brown
stone up to the second floor, thence up
ward it is constructed of tinted woods.
Entering the admirably kept grounds, en-
closed as they are by great stone wall,
one is reminded of an English manor.
Macadamized drivewsys lead through
forest OF gigantic chestnuts. naples and
oaks. Past huge conservatory, resplen-
dent with buds and blossoms, over q Gu
riously wrought bridge that crosses
gem Of a lake, the road leads up to
great sheltered entrance at the rear of
the mansion. One enters an Immense
hall that runs away through to the front.
Its floor, like the floors OF all the rooms in
the first story, is of highly polished oak.
On the Left is the dining room, capable
of seating. if necessary, st least forty
guests. 1t is trimmed throughout with
black walnut highly polished. The
library, sitting room, reception room and