The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-09-25

days. filling out the record of his great
duties aud heroic life and the vindicat lion
OF the South In that immortal work The
Rise and Fall of the Confederate States. ="
All know Beauvor-the large double frame
building, painted white. and contrasting so
pleasartly with the green foliage that sur
rounds it. wide veranda runs around
1t. and broad HAN through the center
made delightful sitting room In summer.
The house was furnished with stately old
fashioned furniture. and tho walls we're
adorned with fine pictures, some OF them
copies of the olden masters. There were
graceful bric-a- brac and ornaments here
arf there many OF these being the pro-
duct of the graceful skill OF Mrs. Davis
and her accomplished daughter. All
around were books from standard authors,
and one ooulj not spend moment in this
typical old Southern home without feer-
ing at once that IL WIS the abode peculiar
Those who knew Mrs, Davis when Mr..
Davis was senator In Washington, and a
member of the presidents cabinet, or later,
as mistress of the White House OF the
Confederacy, ut Richmond. and first lady
of the South, found her at Beauvolr the
came bright, genial brilliant woman, the
same delightful convsrsationalist. who was
equally qualified TO grace state dinner
VIVA the most distinguished men as her
guests or to attend to the daily routine of
housekeeping or the wants of the suffer-
ing poor.
And the solace and comfort OF this great
man and woman who had suffered 40
much. and been so faithful under every
adversely was the child who had come to
them in those dark days of the waning
Confederacy, just before the evacuation of
t.alsf ma In ,xrl.A bad 1AAY
the sole ray of sunshine within the grim
prison walls OF Fortress Monroe--happy
hearted, gentle Winnie Davis, now grown
TO perfect womanhood and the pride and
flower OF the Southland.
We who know her well love best to think
of her in that olden home BY the Missis-
sppi seashore: love TO recall the tender
grace and loving solicitude with which she
ministered to her fra!l and delicate father;
how she walked by his side among the
singing pine trees and flowers, the bright
est, sweet est young woman Of the Gulf
coast; how she read to adm, wrote for MIN,
studied books on military tactics that she
might Interest him 10 discussing cam
paigns and battles, how she sang the old
Southern melodies to him in the gathering
twilight, when the shadows fell oyci Beau
yor and tne memories OF other days fell
over the heart OF its illustrious occupant,
and how, in Sickness and health, she was
his almost constant companion. here, as
when baby in Fortress Monroe, bringing
sunshine in many ways into tae life OF
the grand old chief, Once. TO surprise her
father, She presented him with a series OF
twelve paintings OF the wild flowers that
grew about the home at Beauvoir. They
were painted with all The Wild freedom
and grace OF the old-fashiored blossoms in
th5fr native state, and the ncalt OF the
great leader was deeply touched. She might
4ilve presented him with some graceful
product OF her brush OF scenes OF old world
beauty, for she had Travelled far aud wide.
and was an artist Of no mean ability. but
she was a daughter OF the South, aud knew
best what would give pleasure to it's olden
chief. Mr.. Davis looked at the flower so
sweet and suggestive. so fun OF the life and
beauty OF his dear, native coil. and the
tears sprang 10 his eyes as ne laid his
hand upon the head o, ths thoughtful child
in grateful benediction THAI she was, In
deed, q true daughter Of the land whicn
he loved so well aud for which ne had been
so sorely tried. And, indeed how could she
be otherwise? For II has been truly said
OF Miss Davis that, born in the stormy days
of war rocked in tic cradle OF the Com
federacy, and reared in an atmosphere
Where It was held no crime TO have been
freedom, she was loyal no the hs.iowed
memories OF the South. chung fondly to
its traditions, cherished its history, and
loved and honored IT'S brave defenders. She
grew up under Influences and environments
which could not make her anything else but
a daughter Of the confederacy.
She had only one regret-that che had
been educated abroad for six years OF her
lfe-and once told the wrrer that her
experience fully demonstrated the folly
Of sending American girls to Europe TO be
educated. She believed that American
girls should be educated on their own
free. native sol. lmbibe all tae principles
of true constitutional liberty ana re-
spect for American customs and traditions.
and thought that the Erandest herltage
that could come TO any woman was 70 be
an American, and. above ALL Il daughter
of the South. She believed that We had
Just as good schools IN America rs IN
Europe. and that the American girl was all