The morning call., 1891-12-28

wherein the old-time fair ones peeped to
adjust their falling trains or mayhap.
glancing at the buckles and bows on satin
slippers.
Back again we must go to admire anew.
win some one who had not seen them, the
buff~t, side-boards, and heavy, high backed.
carved chairs. Then at the left an ecstatic
rush takes US into the library. All. the
books and books, unopened and idle. How
tenderly we gazed upon them. And fell to
musiug who last read them, curled In the
deep window seats, or hid in the
hollow chairs, or sitting dignifed be-
fore the fire, where the legs glowed behind
the immense irons, while the placid pictures
on the tiles gently rocked to and fro, rs the
blaze shown out upon them, then fiickered
and died away.
A LOUD, prolonged call from somewhere in
the heights above first alarmed, then re-
minded us where We were, and. also, of the
fact that we were leaving a very important
part une Explored and viewed.
So patiently back up flight and fight we
went, under the caves, through the CORR
doris and rooms of the servants territory,
at the top, this time, where were freplaces
in all and many and dormer, round and
square ard long windows. and finally
through one. little superior room, which
we concluded, because of its exceeding cup
boards, must have been the hOusekeeper's 8.
At last we were upon the topmOSt round,
there was no more climbing to do.
Somewhat worn. but eXultant, we could
rest and from our well-earned elevation,
the roof, contentedly gaze about on the sur
rounding heights
Within the outlines of the Catskills we
can see the Dudley Observatory and the
top OF the Normal College. and, beyond. the
penitentiary, looking like a modern villa,
embowered among tie trees.
All, that 1t might be only what il appears
from the heights But even here we can
not forget the humiliation, for them. that
oppressed us as We passed the hay
makers, in the beautiful, sweetscented
field that lovely summer day. clad in that
dreadful Insignia Of their Incarceration and
its cause. The fund for the building of the
observatory was donated BY Mrs. Dudley
the wife Of the American Senator. She was
an ElS!ish lady. very wealthy, and related
TO the family whose name the old mansion
which we were visiting bears, And here
she was often guest with the officers and
notable civilians and their wives and sons
and daughters, while she as often and hos
pitably and charmingly received and enter
talned them at her own elegant home, where
they went to trip through the light fantastic
schottish or joined in the stately minuet
or precise conversation or sociable game at
whist. Among the notable incidents related
Of this lady and her home enc is that she,
be sides being extremely fond of rich ap-
parel and jewels and possessing much and
many OF both, she never toiled up and down
the many stairs and steps in her mansion,
but, at that early day, even then passed
from floor TO floor by means OF an elevator.
The record doth not note how nearly it ac-
corded with those in present use ; but it was
always under the guidance aud care of q
faithful negro servant who, also, had charge
of the management of most Of the affairs
and property of the madam,
From here we can also see the Van Rens-
seIaer town-house also ancient, stately and
interesting, whose deep wide hall. extend
ing through the house and almost as large
as church, Is wonder in itself. And so
Is the paper covering its walls, which was
imported In the piece from Holland nearly
century ago and Is still looking perfect
The groundwork is a great scrawliug pat
tern, while the large woodcuts of rural
| scenes and pictures from historical and
| poetical works are engraved on the paper.
Farther to the south, standing high up
we'll out OF town, is the old Schuyler man
sion, now used for educational purposes.
The family of this name was united to the
other named families by marriages and
| Joined in the land contentious. To one of
his trusted and favorite slaves, it is told.
| the old General. Philip Schuyler left n large
share of property and the descendants of
TINS same fayorlte are now wealthy and in
| fluental inhabitants of the city. some of
whom are among the city officials.
Quaint as any is the story of old Aunty
| the banks Of the river with her nepbeW-
| Jock, and niece, Nliily. She must have
been over 100 years old. for she told of the
time when General Washington, in passing
through from the metropolis, stopped AT the
| Schuyler mansion, and while there good.
naturedly noticed the servants; and as a
| diversion, at the request of friend. per
mitted the old seer and prophecies. as She
liked to be called. to foretell his future,
which she did. assuring him of position OF
| still greater honor and distinction than his
| present one, which we all know proved true
| In coming to pass. Long years after Aunty
Yahm gratefully and proudly exhibited the
| treasured bit of silver with which "her
PRESIDENT " SO kindly rewarded her for pre-
Bonneville NJ y, Dec. e. 1891 I,oursr s,-our