The morning call., 1893-07-02

presently find himself nearing a mag
nificent grove OF beech, elm and hickory
trees, under whose gnarled branches some
dusky sacbem may have pitched his tent
and held his war-dance before any Of us
we're 4orn. The traveller will observe at
three corners of the grove commodious
dwellings, quite little walk apart. but
all belonging to the heirs OF this fine
domain.
Al the southeast corner of the grove
stands the home of General Wallace and
his gifted wife. herself the author OF
several charming books. besides very many
shorter papers. Hall concealed from the
street by low dropping foliage aud green
shrubbery rise its gray walls. surrounded
by deep verandas and many long windows,
almost embraced by the arms OF two or
three giant beeches. from whose swaylng
branches, on SUMMER mornings, feathered
orchestra wakens the General froN dreams
of the East.
More skillful pens have made the public
familiar With the interior of this hospit-
a Bile home, and | will not repeat an Oft
told tale. Bright eyes have long since
looked 10 fancy within the precincts of the
white and golden chamber of Peace, Of
which one of Mrs. Wallace's sisters once
laughingly remarked. That means when
Sue is outside Of itl' Stranger friends,
trait which was the gift of the Sui
tan, and the curiOs-Syrian, Turkish and
Mexican-which decorate the apartments.
They have heard If the iron letters now
hanging peacefully upon the wall OF the
library. taken by the generals order,
from the person of almost the last slave
girl for the freedom of whose race he
fought during the late war.
The soldlel-wrlter passes almost daily,
with erect figure and active step, up and
: down the old grove, through sunshine or
rain. 1t is fine, martial form. somewhat
. past the meridian OF life, yet straight.
broad of shoulder and strong of limb. with
hair slightly silvered, but with an eve
bright. clear and piercing, and with the
ring Of youth and spirit still In the sound
of his voice. The walk Is often exchanged
for ride On his favorite horse, which he
loves with almost human tenderness; and
the exercise which aids in preserving a
vigorous manhood through middle life Is
seldom or never neglected.
GENERAL VILLAGES HABITS OF WORK.
During the winter the general writes
In his comfortable study, view Of which
is given in this article. Yet no matter
how many callers may interrupt he is al
ways affable, genial and courteous. and
sends them away feeling that they have
been made welcome TO his fireplace.
With the latest breath of summer this
curtained study and the gas fire to the
shades of she old grove and the seclusion
OF the little fly tent which spreads its
white shelter opposite the window at
which | am writing. One may almost
fancy that he hears The swift rustic OF the
pen as the novelist works away,
Mid summer sights and sounds
And balmy breath of June.
:. He is seldom without companions In the
nuiat Dr0VP llmid ,Ciid rahhifS eourrv
:. across the grass at his feet, the friendly
bob White" pipes his merry song close
by and the little birds are his es-
pecial pets, sometimes even ventur-
ing to fly down and perch upon the
broad shoulder which has stood so steady
:: in the ranks of war. By and by both
q tent and study are deserted, and the
worker hurrying away to some clear lake,
or the shores of his favorite Indian a
river, the Kankakee, occupies himself with
rod and reel. He is a devoted dover of
izaak Walton's gentle sport, and has pur-
sued it not only in his own country, but IN
:: the Mediterranean Sea. on the hanks of
j.: the:Nile, and of many famous European
streams. just in front of his house stands
lne sugar maple, brought as tiny twig
from the banks Of the Kankakee. The
fisherman. planted it at his door, where II
i: has grown beautiful and strong, drapin z
his veraDda each successive autumn with
a curtain OF Respondent dyes,
AS worker, General Wallace is pains
taking IN the extreme. with patience
which gifted FreDehman has called a
synonym of genius. The amount OF tire
less research and careful investigation
which went into BEN Hur" can, perhaps,
only be fully. appreciated by the author
himself. IL was a.. gracious reward of his
toll when he found that scholars and trav-
elers willingly testified to the accuracy OF
his descriptions of eastern life and sur
roundings. This is the more remarkable
as the author did not cross the ocean and