The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-09-25
AFFECTING SCENES
When Capt. Dreyfns Met His Children
for the First Time.

for the First Time.
cARPENTRAs, Sept. A,-Alfred
Dreyrua' cup Of happiness was fiiied to
the brim to-day. He sleeps tonight.
exhausted with the emotions of the
day. but IT is restful sleep that marks
the turning Of the tide Of suffering to-
ward convalescence in both mind and
body.
It is almost sacrllege to lay bare to
the world the scenes Of the family re-
union in charming vlllamarie this at
ternoon when Dreyfus clasped in his
arms his two young children whom he
had not seen for Ave years. The little
ones came from Paris in charge of a
relative. Their arrival made complete
the happy family reunion.
1t was charming picture that was
presented to the privileged callers. They
saw Dreyfus seated on large wicker
chair in a grass-enclOsed shelter in
front Of the house, his children at hls
knees and Nine. Dreyfus by his side,
while gathered around him were
stanch, faithful Matthieu Dreytus and
various other members Of the Vala-
hregue and Hadamar families. The
autumn weather was melIowed by the
soft breezes Of Southern France. The
sun poured down brightness that made
the whole country radiant with natural
beauty. 1t seemed to instfit new life
into the martyr, added to the emotional
Joys of the day. 1t caused him to ex-
claim;
'Is It true7 1t seems as though /
were In q dream"
Dreyfus to-day for the first time
since 1894 enjoys the full happiness Of
domestic life. He made the acQuaint-
ance OF his own daughter, for when he
was thrown into prison she was baby
few months old. Now she Is bright
child. overjOyed at seeing her papa,who
she had been told was away on a long
Journey,
During the years Of Dreyfus' impris-
onmept the true facts were kept from
the children.
ViIIamarie is a small estate Of per-
hapS twenty-flv2 acres, covered with
trees and gardens OF flowers. II Is the
country place Of DFeyfus' sister, Nine.
ValnbreEue, where she usually spends
the summer. Since the condemnation
OF Dreyfus she has remained there
continuously In the strIctest privacy.
receiving nOhody, going nowhere. The
estate was not even kept In good order.
The gardens and lawns showed signs OF
neglect, All were IN mourning for
Dreyfus.
Since his return ali has been changed.
VillamarIe has been restored to a
charming resort. The house. which
stands near the road, Is old-fashloned,
built OF stone, and two stories high,
with many large rooms and long win
dows extending from the floor to the
one reason why Dreyfus went to
YIllamarie is his great affection for his
sister, who Is twelve years older than
he. In Vlilamarle to-day were DTey-
fuS, his wife and two children. Nine.
Vaiubregue, her son, Matthew DreyfuS
and his wife. NJ. Kahn and his wife, the
latter Dreyfus sister, and Nine. Had
amar, his mother-In-lnw. Great seclu.
sion is maintained. Visitors are stop.
ped at the gate by n strongly-armed
servant.
Very few persons outside the family
have seen Dreyfus, and then only for
few minutes. The excitement which
KEPT him up the first day after his .ro-
lease now has passed away. He Is quite
weak and needs careful attention and
nursing. His wife never leaves him.
Dreyfus rises rather late in the morn
ing and goes into the garden for an
hour or two. In the afternoon he takes
siesta until or O'Clock and retires
carly. He IL Just beginning to take
solid food In small quantities.