Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-01

0aGnifcent new Roman Catholic University
Tho century was not then in its teens and
electric roads in that or indeed in any locality
were undreamed Of, and the ordinary country
roads were slow and not always sure. Thus
Mr. Gales in his almost daily walks to the home
Of his chief used to take a short cut through
The fields and oak and pine groves that con-
stituted lexington. and in pausing to rest I'M
der the lovely forest trees and to enjoy the
bsauties Of the landscape, to which he was 80
kesnly alive, the place became endeared to him
and he determined should 1t ever be In MS
power to buy this property.
In few years he had become both pro-
pristor and editor Of the journal he made so
famous and popular, and soon after his cher
ished plan was consummated by the purchase
Of the property, which included a small farm
house toward the eastern boundary near what
a called the Brentwood road; unjustly 50
called, a. Mr. Gales, to avoid encroachment on
his privacy by the running of any road through
his land, gave to the Levy court thirty feet on
the whole length OF this line, while Mrs. Pear
son, the owner OF Brentwood. sold at good
price an equal number of feet on the border OF
her adjoining land, thus forming what was
originally styled the County road"
THE BREAD AND CHEESE CLUB.
The little farm house mentioned was the con-
tinual and favorite resort Of the Bread and
Cheese Club composed Of some of the bright
est and most honored worthless of that day. in
GLIDING the names of Seaton, May, Weightman,
p. Thompson and Wallack. who came for a
breath of country air and little jollity, trans
cending the prescribed literal limit Tin the city,
of bread and cheese fare to partake of rural
beefsteak dinners that became famous The
tenant Of this cottage had charge of the crops,
stock. barn and orchards, also OF the dairy,
which was built Virginia fashion, over a run
ming stream near a stone-pavedt spring OF de-
Gcious drinking water not far from the Metro
politan railroad embankment Three trees OF
delicious cherries grew near the rustic porch,
and their fruit and country cream were also
added to the original club menu, as well as
superb peaches. for which the orchards OF Eek
ington were justly celebrated
As soon as the purchase of the land was made
Mr. Gales gave ii the name of lexington, after
the village IN England where his fathers parents
lived anu died and where he passed his earliest
years. although he was born in Sheffield. into
which town lexington village is now merged
THE ORIGINAL LEXINGTON HOUSE.
In 1880 Mr. Gales built on the western side
of the place the original lexington house. 1t
a simple frame cottage. planned by Mr..
Charles B. King, the eminent artist. who was
intimate friend. II consisted of two stories
with cellar basement. On the first floor we're
four rooms of good size and a wide hall. with
back building adding kitchen and servants
rooms; the upper floor had four chambers and
q 12-foot square library, where were written
most of those brilliant, patriotic and states
manlike editorials which. IN a measure. served
10 educate the statesmen and patriots of a later
day
lofty wide portico supported by six Doric
pillars extended the whole front of the house.
sfcm this across the undulating hills to the
south, over woods whose verdant tops formed