The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-09-13

some Ulme, ana Unen we'll 90 rlSHO On
practicing law as If nothing had ever hap
pened." He fingered for a moment as If
to take last look at the old quarters and
then passed through the door into the mar
row hallway, l accompanied him down
stairs, On the way he spoke of the I'M
pleasant features surrounding the presi
Dental office, Il am sick of offioeholding
already" he complained, land shudder
when think of the tasks that are still
ahead. "
He said the sorrow of parting from his
old associations was deeper than most per
sons would imagine, but it was more
marked in his case because of the feeling
which had become irrepressible that he
would never return alive. Iargued against
the thought, characterizing it as an illu-
sorry notion not in harmony or keeping
with the popular ideal of president.
But it is in keeping with my philos-
ophy," was his quick retort. Our CONVEX
sation was frequently broken in upon by
the Interruptions of passersby, who, each
in succession, seemed DESTROYS of claiming
his attention. At length he broke away
from them all. Grasping my hand warm
ly and with fervent "Goodby," he disap-
peared down the street and never came
back to the Office again. -~"~~-
Metamorphosis.
One who witnessed the impressive scene
left the following graphic description of
the Inauguration and Its principal Incl
dents: "Near noon found myself mem
Der of the motley crowd gathered about
the side entrance to Wizards hotel Soon
an open barouche drove up, and the only
A
awkward moving man, far advanced In
years, short and thin gray hair, full face,
plentifully scanned and wrinkled, head
ouriously inclined to the left shoulder a
low crowned broad brtmmsd silk hat,
an immense white oravat like poultice,
thrusting the old fashioned standing col
Lar up TO the ears, dressed In black through
out, with swallowtal coat not of the
newest style 1t was President Buchanan,
calling to take his successor to the capitol
In few minutes he reappeared with Mr.
Lincoln on his arm. The two took seats
side by side, and the carriage rolled away,
followed by a rather disorderly and certain
ly not very imposing procession. l had
ample time to walk to the capitol and no
difficulty in securing place where every
thing could be seen and heard to the best
advantage. The attendance at the inau
guration was, they told me, unusually
small, many being kept away by antici-
pated disturbance as it had been rumored
truly, too-that General Scott himself
was fearful of an outbreak and had made
all possible military preparations to meet
the emergency A square platform had
been built out from the steps to the east
ern portico, with benches for distinguished
spectators on three sides.
Douglas, the only one recognized, sat
at the extreme end of the seat on the right
of the narrow passage leading from the
steps. There was no delay, and the gaunt
form of the president elect was soon visi-
BILE, slowly making his way to the front.
To me at least he was completely meta
morphosed, partly by his own fault and
partly through the efforts of injudicious
friends and ambitious tailors. He was
raising-to crafty very young lady, 1t
is saba crop of whiskers of the backing
brush variety, coarse, stiff and ungrace-
full, and In so doing spoiled, or at least
impaired, face which, though
never handsome, had in it's original state
a peculiar power and pathos. On the pres
emit occasion the whiskers were REINFORCED
by brand new clothes from top to toe,
black dress coat, instead of the usual frock,
black cloth or satin vest black pantalooEs
and glossy hat evidently just out of the
box. To cap the climax of novelty, he
carried a huge ebony cane with gold
head the size of an egg. In these, to him,
habiliments he looked so miserably
that could not help pity
ing him.
Douglas Holds HIS lint.
Reaching the platform, his discomfort
was visibly increased by not knowing
what to do with hat and cane, and so he
stood there, the target for 100 eyes,
holding cane in one hand and hat in the
other, the very picture of helpless embar-
rassment. After some hesitation he pushed
the cane into a corner of the railing, but
could not find place for the hat except
on the floor, where I could see he did not
like to risk 1t. Douglas, who fully took in
the situation, came to the rescue of his
old friend and rival and held the precious
hat until the owner needed it again,
service which, If predicted two years be-
fore, would probably have astonished him.
THE oath of office was administered by
Chief Justice fancy, whose black robes,
attenuated figure and cadaverous ooun-
tenance reminded me of galvanized
corpse Then the president came forward
and read his inaugural address in clear
and distinct voice. 1t was attentively lis
tened to by all, but the closest listener was
Douglas, who leaned forward as if to catch
every word, nodding his head emphatically
at those passages which most pleased him.
There was some applause, not very much
nor very enthusiastic. l must not forget
to mention the presence of a Mephistoph-
eles in the person of Senator Wigfall of
Texas, who stood with folded arms lean
ing against the doorway of the capitol
looking down upon the crowd and the
ceremony with a contemptuous air, which
sufficiently indicated his opinion of the
whole performance. To him the southern
Confederacy was already an accomplished
fact. He lived to see it the saddest of
fctions."
Characteristic Humor.
was in Washington in the Indian
service for a few days before August,
1861, and merely said to Lincoln one day,
at l. J,;f