New-York tribune., 1897-08-11

lard "there was no one to play the cabinet organ
that was beside my desk on the platform made
Tn earnest appeal for organist. ana after pam
full pause and waiting a slender figure dressed IN
black holding a music roll in one hand' came
ehyly 10 me and softly whispered AS no one vol
unteers will do the best l can She had had her
first lesson tnat day the organ. and she was de-
termined to master the instrument, or become its
mistress rather. wish 1 could make you see her
as saw her then in the charm of her sweet youth,
with eyes that were the mirror of an absolute
truthfuln.ss no less than Of the utmost kindness
and goodwill with soft fair hair over forehead
that my mother used to say was one Of the most
urbane and symmetrical she ever saw.
1--WE had three months of those great meetings
IN Boston and I asked Anna Gordon If she could
come and play for every day. She said she
would try and I learned 10 turn over TO her
my letters and messages, and plans as well.
have not known her equal in prompt and accurate
execution OF commissions. skilful style of CORE
spondenoe ana tac;fu meeting OF people When
those meetings ~erc over sne had lecture trip
ready fo- me- extending all through New England
~ distinctly remember when she brought her
plan 20 m, IN q little book ruled In red and black
ink showing the town the hostess the place Of
meeting the time and place Of trains and indeed
every item that need wish that used
playfuy to say that if I should only pin Anna's
directions on my back could go the country over
in the capacity of an express package.
From that day 10 this she has been doing these
things.
we would sit down and say: Let make OFT the
duties of the private secretary The last tine we
did 30 they numbered anywhere between forty and
sixty distinct lines Of occupation and now sbould
not feel equal to giving a list long and varied"
"How long was Miss Gordon with you at Rest
Cottage"
Fourteen years. As my mother grew older she
resigned into Annas hands more and more Of the
care that although mother presided AT her own
table until few weeks before she left US, making
sixty years that she was the hostess OF our home
Anna had the supervision Of every detail of the
housekeepin OF course We had excellent help.
but the planning mind was Anna's
''The house became a charming pace as years
went by and was able to do TO make il the
home wanted II 20 be. chiefly for my mothers
sake. Later dear Mrs Thorpe and Mrs. ole Bull,
OF Cambridge. added that beautiful ROOM the
Den, and. later still. set house in order
with great particularly when expected that
beautiful woman, Lady Henry Somerset. who told
me that nothing more complete and delicate than
the housekeeping had she ever seen.
1T was simple 10 be sure, but 1t had that touch
OF refinement which money cannot buy and that
only o the reflex OF harmonious and ca
pable personality.
Il wish I could tell you Of mothers birthday.
when there were 800 invitations out. all but
go Of them TO our women at a distance. and when
wellngh Eve hundred guests delightfully."- en-
ter1ained. j can say this freely Anna planned
81 AL DtSlutS ' VI 'N' 9HNttt9t
rative songs that | have ever heard. When my
mother passed away she who loved Anna so we'll
said to me. More than any one have ever known.
she reminds me OF our Mary VINO died
what a solace and sure refuge WAS Anna when
my heart Overwhelmed!
Tell Of her learning TO speak In public"
II fear she would not let me. She was brought
% In a conservative Congregational church. where
i would never have occurred TO anybody TO ask
her TO sneak although her experiences in travelling
through every State and Territory OF the Republic
we're far more varied and helpful than those of any
sther member She could not be persuaded TO think
that she could put two sentences loeetner IN
least once in my Boston meetings. ana she came
forward in the Park Street Church ana gave mel