The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-22
.RIT~rEN FOR THE SUNDAY REpUELIc.

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC
So much Of the life Of Honorable AIiai
, Z. Stevenson has been passed in Washing
ton that view Of him. a. presented to
close friends at the capital during the past
fifteen years will he found rs scurate as
that OF his home people in Illinois.
The sum 81 fair estimate Of Nr. Steven
son is that ne is a gentleman Of the old
school" tlignifed, Yet approachable TO al:
a man who has led bIImelrss 'ifc. In phi
waite and public. His tastes are remark
ably simple. and Yet correct IS a VIII L..
His attire is free from afTey;lI.ou. either ~
display ar humility HIS dress almost Tn
variably IS 4 Prince Albert coat and vest "t
fine quality; a pair OF stylish dark STRIPED
trousers. shoes well polished 4 sill. Eat.
generally little lax In polish. h1r 60
proper style for tho season. $40 .Nuag=a uf
fine linen. adorned 10y i single diamond
stud. presented by admirers when he was
in Congress in the seventies
Mr.. Stevenson is fond OF cigars q pare
tobacco and mild flavor That is the limit
Of his requirement The price generally
paid by him is 10 cents each. HIS friends
doubt that he knows the difference between
the domestic ard imported brands and gen
former. - The table Mr.. Stevenson Is
probably thu simplest and mast easily
pleased man that ever entered public lie
Althourh a frequent diner OUT. and COM
PEELED when Vice Pres!deIt 70 accept many
Invitations 10 hanquets. Of a scmloa,cia!.
Yet osteutatious character, Mr.. Stevenson
scarcely varied his diet. He seldom drinks
wines or whisky. II suffering from severe
cold. glass az the latter At retiring might
he INDUCED. but for a beverage coffee is
the regulation stI.nulant. He retains 'he
southern f-naness for corn cakes, hgraiHy
and bacon for breakfast; and At his hotel
81 Washington his waiter grew gradually
into confidence that he could bring the
Vice President 4 small steak, with I'o-
:atocs coffee and corn bread. varied with
bacon, s0ft-bciied eggs and oat U'cal- For
luncheon. generally eaten at the Senate
restaurant. cold roast beef potatoes and
coffee We're the rule. and for dessert 4 good
apple. with mild cigar
Mr.. Stevenson is fond OF tfclters, rrovid-
ing the play Is Of a go0I order He es-
peciaily likes Shakespeare. ard during "a
tour Of SIR Henry Irving. the Vice Prc-i-
dent declined all other Invitations t. enjoy
the impersonation 0; the great English
man He IS fond also Of such ol.erIs as
would be found laughing as heartily as any
one In the galleries at the humorous T.rts |
Of the "Mikaio-"
But the former Wee Presidents most en- |
during pleasure. and the one most INDUCED. !
Is reading. Few public mon have drawn |
more constantly upon the treasures Of the |
great library OF Congress than has MIR. |
Stevenson. II was Il habit formed years \
ego in Congress. His evenings. when not |
taken up with visits from his associates. |
were devoted to rare and valuable books. !
After he entered the Post Office Depart !
ment a. soon as the first rush Of work |
had passed, he again returned 70 th,. stores |
Of the library at the Capitol. Every week |
two or three books were taken out to he /
returned for others. He was systematic IN |
his reading. preferrirg standard authorities /
upon history. and the works OF the best |
travellers. After the first few months Of |
his service in the Vice Presidents Office.
Dir. Stevenson again had recourse to she
library. then right at hand. and for one or
two hours every evening he would he found
reading in his coy quarters at the Nor
mandie.
mans true character can he tudEad |
very well by his conduct towards his parents
and children. No more devoted son or father
ever lived. His mother died bat a few |
months ago. at greatly advanced age. To
the close. their relations were Of the tend
crest character. When In WASHINGTON he |
wrote her almost daily. and hts letters we.e
filed with little affectionate reminders of
earlier days. with presents. pictures Of
places Of interest and all that could make |
her declining years most cheerful. As a |
father. he was no less thoughtful Of his son |
end daughters. His life. even when most
engrcssed with official cares. WAS most IN
seitsh. He was always planning for their
future rather than his own
Mr.. Stevenson is fond OF walking It was
his daily means OF reaching the capital. a