The morning call., 1891-12-28

@~
And here comes In bit of real romance,
that was lived somewhat earlier than these
children's time, in which this same grand
mother, even then, brave and energetic, fig
ured ms heroine. She was a true Yankee,
belonging to a good old family of Con-
necticut workers. On a visit one winter,
to some friends In the now capital OF the
Empire State, but which capital was then
Fort Orange, she met the son Of one Of the
proud old burghers, and the acquaintance
resulted in the usual reciprocal ut
tachment and intended union. But was
this to be submitted to? Was this
interloper to be permitted thus to crowd her
way into this family who had no welcome
for her?
BY no means, with complalsance. at least,
by the naughty and resolute old fran, the
sons mother. But the son was MT lacking
in tie family spirit, either, and, after much
opposition and delay, the marriage took
place. And, if not IN revenge, still, per-
haps, as a means Of restoring the invaded
family dignity and decided way of eX-
hbitlng the yet supreme upper hand, the
lrate and unappeaSed dame prevailed upon
nearly all of the members and relatives Of
the extensive and important family TO ap-
pear in church the irst Sunday after the
wedding in full force and clad in the deepest
mourning.
As the long lines of sorrowfully draped
figures filed into the aisleS and pews of the
old church, upon seeing no other signs or
presence Of death, the query arose from all
sides, Whom is this mourning for?' 10
which, then and there, before them all, the
still-determined and stern lady arose and
replied: cit is for my son, who, by his I'M
flial and disgraceful conduct, has become
dead to all his family"
But the son was again equal to the oc-
90 nm sIn NOT lrAl "a
all, but very much alive, as he Immediately
and proudly marched in before his bereaved
relatives with his spirited and handsome
young bride. who all through her long aud
| active life proved quite his and the proud
old family's equal.
Quite in contrast to all of the foregoing is
the record which we have of the disposition
and doings of the gentle ana mirthful
grandparent OF Huguenot extraction, who,
we fear, may be considered by some but a
very degenerate scion, yet notwithstanding,
most will confess. an exceedingly loYable
one after all.
For he would gather his numerous brood
of little descendants into the great hall of
the cid homestead, before the blazing log
in the huge fireplace and pipe them lively
tune. to which they all gleefully kept joyful
time in the merry dance The last descend
ant bearing the family name only within q
few yeats passed away. He had in his pos
sessi n a record Of all sho belonged to this
udiIC lbdb Nclb DDIIl anu ndu liNcu III
America, from the time of the first emgrant
and settler. old Gabriei La Grange.
This exception, in giving the first name
with the preceding epthet here denoting
reverence, for there were many more of that
name, will only prove that the others are to
be withheld.
This name became connected through
intermarrlaee with the other historical
ones. Van Rensselaer,, Dudley, Schuyler,
the Veeders, Vedders, Villers, etc. Nine.
XilleIs. one, of the family, came from
France to this country short time ago
to try to find some of the heirs. if there
might be any here, to claim their part of the
La Grange estate or property held in trust
by the Government and now ready TO be
distributed. Some Of this same old Hugue-
not family were also concerned in the con-
tention relating to the land, twenty-four
| miles square. granted by King George to
Stephen Van Rensselaer,. PATRON.
In time there came to be great annoy
ance and trouble from the opposition of the
antl-rent party refusing to pay their own
rent, or allowing others, peacefully, to pay
theirs.
This rent consisted OF a small number of
measures" Of wheat and few fatted
fowls, besides one days work with team
| each year.
These non-paying renters declared
against the justice and right Of this exac-
ton from them as free and independent
citizens Of the State and country.
Away out 10 the right of where the dis
| tant Catskill Mountains rise, like three
| shadowy, pale, gray-blue clouds, the Hell
| derbergs repoSe i'll long line, equally dim
| and haZy.
Below these the clear Normankill Creek
sings, ripping through the rich meadows
| in Gilderiand, an hours ride from the city,
| where there are many old homesteads OF
| the early settlers.
Here also were farms til at we're "holden."
belonging to the old grant," aud among
them were some of those whose tenants had
refused the rentand had never paid the "pur-
chase money" as some others had and were
consequently "evicted" by the new owner
| OF the property az time wore on. Outside
the city at Bath is the old Van Rensselaer,
manor house, still fine and ere CT and grand
like an old-school country gentleman
amidst Its picturesque and delightful
| grounds.
| Through some inadvertency, when our
| party arrived at the front of the grand old
place, instead of tho answer we had ex-
pected to our clang of the heavy brass
knocker in the appearance and welcome Of
the ancient dame who had long ago served
| faithfully in the family and in her age was
left in charge OF the deserted mansion, there
was no answer to our call; but the lonely,
distant echoes coldly commanded us to de
part, depart" We afterward learned that
the faithful seIvitor had then been resting
quietly in her grave for more than fort
night. But we were not thus to be put off,
IN spite OF all shostly expostulation.
30, looking about, the leader of our party
in her explorations discovered an entrance
at the very foundations of the house; and.
as in instances of our great undertakings,
we were obliged, literally, to work cur way
up from the very lowest round or rather
step. Groping around in the darkness.
shrinking from the Shiny walls and SILVER
ing through the ghostly passages and damp,
musty and long unused cellars we at last
reached, by way OF the cellar stairs, the
kitchens. How the butler and the other ser.
wants of old-time high degree would have
stared at such an invasion. And such
kitchens, with dressers and closets, pantries
and curboards. There was no lack Of room
there. Ladies', skillets, gridrons and kettles
small and great Were scattered about on the
floors, and hung from pegs on the cob.
webbed walls. What a wonder and delight
II all was to our party Of our moderDs
What times there were then, two hundred
years ago.
There, BY tb9ss Ql9 GEs-plaess ang ovens,