The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-11-30
HIS VILLAGE HOME.
Visit to the Country Residence of the V-n-
erRrble Senator Morrill,.

Visit to the Country Residence of the v.n-
erarble Senator Morrill,.
STAFFORD. VT, Nov. 25-A crisp
morning recently found me on train Of
the Central Vermont railway en- route
to Sharon. This is the nearest station to
the little village of STAFFORD, where the
father of congress-, Senator Justin S.
Morrill,, lives. a quick drive by way of
a bridge below the town brings me to
the double row of white cottages and
stores and TO the little hotel at the end
of the single street. A three-quarter
buggy and moth eaten colt are hitched
up for me, and, with brief instructions
to f'follow the telephone ine," I start
for STAFFORD.
The road across the hill from Sharon
to South STAFFORD skirts for time the
rocky bed of tiny stream which pours
its miniature cascades over big powders.
Trees shade the drive through part Of
the journey, and in places where they
no longer overhang the road they arch
above the little stream and magnify the
plash and tinkle Of its waters.
Now and then the little river broadens
where dam shuts off its course, and
you find a sawmil1 just beyond. There
is not enough water for the -four mill,
and its busy rattle responds to the puff
ing of a steam engine.
Above and beyond all are the hills.
slope after slope, and behind you the
long stretch Of abrupt road. They do
have bicycles in Vermont. I saw one,
but think that the owners push them
up the hills and carry them down the
farther slope, for the roadway is much
too rough for coasting.
The road between the upper and low
er parts of STAFFORD village has its ups
and downs, too, and the river as the
natives call the tiny stream, flows be-
side it, but not SO picturesquely. At the
end of an hour and half from the time
/ left Sharon came to the upper village
Of STAFFORD and drove past brown
house almost lost in the trees. The
house-it is almost pink, but they call
it brown in Strafford-was Senator Nor
rill's. Here he has lived for nearly 45
years. When he sold his store in lower
STAFFORD and retired from active bust
ness, he bought the piece Of ground on
which this house stands, and himself
planned and superintendent the con-
struction of the building. It is odd
chiefly in its Gothic windows and sharp
~ pointed roof. Within it is typical
country home-roomy and comfortable.
When Mr.. Morrill, built it, it was GUS
tornary to sleep on the ground floor, and
the senator own room is On the first
floor Of his dwelling. A one story wing
added to the original building contains
the senator s "den." His library fills
the bookshelves that line the walls.
At one end is an open fireplace, where a
cheerful wood fire burns every morning,
for Vermont nights are cold. The den "
is lighted from above through panes. Of
colored glass and from windows at the
end and sides Here Senator Morrill,
spends the greater part of his time. He
is constant reader, and the greatest
misfortune which has come to him Of
late years is a trouble with his right
eye, which interferes with his reading
by artificial light. He keeps abreast Of
the times in all important matters, is a
diligent student Of newspapers and mag
azines and has lost none of the mental
vigor which made him a leader in tariff
discussions 40 years ago. He bears his
IS years remarkably we'll, and he will
soon return to Washington refreshed and
invigorated by his life in the country.