The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-17

and move again in flesh and blood. In
fact, he is such a ready and reliable cyclic.
pedia OF biography that when any dispute
on these points arises among his friends,
he is always called in to umpire the case.
TO Introduce my cherished visit from
Mrs. Hamilton" the old merchant resum-
ed, ''let me explain the almost sacred light
in which ! viewed her. / came TO this city
when a boy of fifteen, from the other side
of the water. That was in 1896 One of tie
very first things l absorbed, in as full
measure as boy possibly could, was the
hero worship of Washington. 1 doubt
whether any youth of the country whose
fathers had fought by the great patriot 8
side had q deeper feeling of reverence for
his name and character. I fed on his his
tory day and night. People who had seen
him appeared to me as privileged and high
er beings, and people who had known him,
even family, seemed the most erVia BILE
folks on the globe.
Now 1 can go ahead" Mr.. Daniel con-
tinued. Il was about % years old when
my employer made me manager of his bus
mess, and this new honor brought me in
daily contact with the lady members of
the old families who came to our dry goods
store TO trade. To-day l have on my books
the grandchildren of some of those old
friends. Among the customers was Mrs.
Bowd!ne a granddaughter of Mrs Ham
ilton The old lady was then living with
her in Washington, but Mrs. Bowdine fire.
quently came to this city and did her
shopping with us. ! never lost the oppor-
tunity to inquire, most reverentialy, about
her grandmother saying what a great
pleasure it would be to see her. Well, per-
sistency had its reward, fer to my great
surprise and delight, Mrs. Bowdine entered
the store one morning with a frail but
still charming looking old lady on her arm.
She had kept her promise and brought
Mrs. Hamilton to see me.
The dear old lady was very courtly and
gracious in manner as she held out a
wan little hand, which | kissed. She was
in her ninetieth year. Time had covered
her intelligent face with plentiful tell-tale
wrinkles, but one could see beneath and
beyond them and picture a face once
beautiful and always sweet. She was
thin, too not weighing over ninety
pounds but all her faculties were still
perfect, barring that film that age had
formed like a yelling, over the eyes, once
large and lustrous.
Taking the proffered seat, Mrs. Hamil-
ton, in a very clear and gentle voice. said:
Well, my young friend, so you wanted to
see me, I'm told. 1t is a great pleasure to
crafty you in so simple a thing
''Seizing the little hand, l pressed and
kissed 1t again, assuring her that it was
the proudest moment l ever hoped to
know. 1t was a charming smile she gave
me as she proceeded Now that I'm
here / suppose you will want me to say
something about the scenes and incidents.
Of my younger days. 1t Is great story
and 1 cannot talk long. Mr.. Hamilton
and I passed through many trials and
dangers, as you can we'll believe. before
the new nation was on its feet. Often we
would have a home one day and have 10
shift it very suddenly the next. There
were difficulties and privations of a hun
dred kinds, but all were patiently borne
for sake Of the great cause we had at
heart. Many a time, so often that
couldn't keep the count, have remained
up all night with my husband, helping
him with his state papers, for he never
seemed to be through.
Gen. Washington? Oh yes
knew him well, of course, through his very
intimate relations with Mr.. Hamilton. He
frequently passed the night with us. and
his bedchamber was close to our own.
II suppose it is quite impossible" Mr.
Daniel resumed, ito make any one under
stand my feelings at that time. There I
was just out of boyhood, full of sentiment
and the romance of youth face to face
with venerable human being, who had
not only seen my great idol, Washington.
but had talked with him, dned with him.
and knew him on intimate personal terms
As l listened to this wonderful story. eyes
and mouth open, no doubt, to drink in