The herald., 1896-10-04

and insincerity. his &rivats business had
declined. and he found himself not only
without the promise Of public place, but
threatened with financial ruin.
In these swiftly changing days. near the
end of his term in Congress. he sent me q
despatch. 1t read: r A-a
"Come. Van Ness Mansion. Washington.
June 10th"
The close Of long summer day found me
In one Of the strangest and most remark
able houses in all America. 1t is still stand
Ing, but its glory had gone when saw 1t
last when 1t was used as public picnic
ground. It is near the Washington Monu-
ment. on the borders of the Potomac marsh
es, place Of reflected sun and beautiful
trees. ii.
How noble and stately it looked even
though on low ground. as l. was led to II
from the main way!Its .porticoes were hung
with vines. Roses were everywhere
there seemed to have been food of them.
The gate opened upon cool garden of box
and flowers. In the garden was an old
cottage It once belonged to Davie Burns,
the Seotchman who at first refused to sell
bis plantation to Washington for the site
Of the city, but who was also compelled to
do so at last. "And who would you have
been," said old Davie to Washington, "if
you had not married the widow Custisr'
The girlhood Of lovely Marcia Burns Van
Ness, who founded the Washington Orphan
Asylum, where her portrait may be seen,
and at whose funeral Congress adjourned,
is associated with this mossy cottage. Here
literary men used to visit: here Thomas
Moore slept, about the time that his mind
must have been haunted by the tale Of the
Lake Of the Dismal Swamp"
In the main house grand receptions used
to be held in the early days Of the Repub
lie. Mr. Van Ness who had married the
daughter OF Davie Burns was the soul Of
hospitality. When he died there was such
profound sorrow that legend arose that
his six white horses all fell down dead
from grief, and that they visit the place
on Christmas nights without heads. For
years the tale Of tho six headless horses
was terror to the slaves on tho estates.
l asked little negro boy on the walk
"What brought my friend here? This is a
private house."
ITO be quiet sir; Massa invited him. 1t
is still here. That man has fits Of magma
tionsv"
was taken at once to my patlents's room.
I expected to find very Ill man, but his
case was,so bad as to startle me. His vitality
had almost gone; only little remained and
that, like dying light, was Pickering.
"You are good to come" said he "You
understand my case. 1t went away, but 1t
has all come back again."
"What has come back again, my friend?"
"Oh. you know-the knocking on the door.
1t comes just as think that am going to
get some sleep. I want you to stay with
me in my rooms tonight and see If you can
hear it."
He walked the room nervously. turning
like wheel. He presently said:-
practical politics do not pay. have lost
more than have gained. But 1t can't be
helped now. If had my life to live over
again, would do differently"
"Lie down." said I. land be calm. win
stay with you until morning
shall never forget that night.
"Try to Sleep" said to my patient "and
will rest here In my chair have made
long Journey"
ut is the last that you will ever have to
make for me-" he answered.
1t was nine o'clock before the cool shad-
ows Of night began to fall. watched my pa
tient, and saw that he was drowsy. I
thought at last that he was beginning to
sleep. when sudden cry made me start.
"Doctor-did you hear IT."
"What?" I asked.
''It is at the door, there!"
what is at the door?'
"0h, you didn't hear 1t. Let me fall back
and try to Sleep" tf
At ten o'clock the moon rose over the |
Capitol. How beautiful is the Capitol by :
moonlight! 1t stands like mountain of
marble, and throws its softened lustrous
splendor over all the circle of valleys. and
water. Wherever one may be in the en-
chanted District by day or night the Capt. !
tol rises over all.
thought my patient asleep now. I
arose to look at him more closely. /
He leaped. -