The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-09-14

for in 1901 there is an entry of more
than $1,000 for building. while In 1902 the
sum charged Is $500 1t was about
this time that the famous mansion was
at length comrleted-a house which was
commenced in 1863, thirty-three years be-
forei
Another expensive taste of Mr., Jeffer-
son was horses 1t took the best to suit
him, and he loved to have lots OF them
We have already seen that he kept elghs
saddle horses; how many carriage teams
he kept we are not told, but his team
consisted of four. On one of each pair
rode d driver; he would rever trust to
a coachlnan and lines. The four which
pulled his carriage while he was presl-
dent cost him $lCo0.
Supporting an establishment like this in
Washington. he kept up smaller one
in Virginia. for his daughter Martha and
her children made their home at Month
cello. Thus the outgo wGs enormous.
while the only certain income was tho
presidential salary of $4,000.
Overseers had charge of the farm. the
negroes We're not made to work the crops
were small and the lands washed away.
The Wayies debts appear to have pur
sued him from his marriage till his death.
In the year 1900 we find him excusing
had applied to him for money on the
ground of the Wayles debts Mr.. Jeffer-
son was not able to obige his son in law
because of the losses he had sustained
by his father in law.
After Mr.. Jeffersons death there was
found among his papers a courteous let
ter from the agent of the Wayles credi-
tors asking about further payments. Thus
1t would seem that a debt of less than
$4,000 pursued MIR. Jefferson ffty-four
wears devoured about 10, coo acres of land
ana was still vocing the appetite of this
horseleechi
The habit of setting down in book
eVery cent one pays out for stamps. shoe
strings, hair cuttings and shoe shines
does not, of itself. prove extreme care in
larger matters. In Mr.. Jefferson's case
such q habit certainly proved nothing Of
the Kind, for when he woke up to the
fact that he could not get away from
Washington at the end of his presidency
without borrowing $1,000 or $1,000 the
reality came upon him with a shock of
surprise. Thrown into an agony of dis
tress,' he wrote to a friend in Richmond
stating his Notifying situation and ask
ing the friend to borrow the money at
once. Until the relief should come the
anxious president would not be able to
sleep.
The Richmond friend hurried about. got
the loan. and sent the money to Washing
ton. whore the most pressing demands
were met and the president tranquilized.
At the inaugural BAH it was noticed that
Jefferson was smiling, genial, almost gay,
while Madison wore the look of anxiety.
Alas for these observation-disclosures
Madison. Monroe, a lifetime of hard
achieved highest offices held, splendid
opportunities enjoyed. and an old age If
debt. poverty and financial suffering to
face at the end,
A heavy drain upon the resources OF
Mr. jefferson after his retirement from
public life was the company which came
to Monticello Nothing like it was ever
seen even in Virginia.
Famous the world over as a statesman
scholar, an experimental farmer, al
amateur scientist. an all-round phloso-
pher, a most genial host, there were ie
gions of people at nome and abroad who
wanted to see Mr.. jefferson. Nobody was
turned away; everybody was bountfuly
entertained-he and his wife, child nurse,
man servant, maid servant, horse and dog.
The guest was fed better than he was
used to al home, the mansion was n bet
ter house the view superb, the air
salubrious the water ana the wine good.
If the guest loved books he found the
best library in the land. If he loved hunt |
ing ana fishing there were the rivers, !
creeks and woods. If solitude was his
delight. he could stay in his own room and
have servants to wait upon him. If he
dotted on flowers, music and polite con-
yersation, he found all these attractions |
day in and day out, a t Monticello,
Why should the guest be In Il hurry to
leave? Why not spend the summer right
there lie did lie spent the summer was
asked to come back next summer, and
he did so. 1t became the regular out !
ing place for some OF the incest people |
in America. Some stayed ny the week,
some by the month. Some came singy, /
some with retnues Sometimes whole
family would move in and spend several
months Fifty guests We're known to
spend the night there at one time To
tecd these caravans, to prepare extra
beds, bedding furniture, washing, IRON /
ing etc required everything produced
at Monticello. and more besides. The
overseers had to haul corn and inca :
from other farms to supply the short /
age Some of these visitors were rela-
lives. many We're friends and most of
them were worthy people; but the nuis-
ance grew with Indulgence untll the !
abuse was intolerabe Professional tour !
lists idle gad-abouts, promiscuous sight |
seers, thronged his drives, lined his ter |
races made themselves at home on ms
lawn, followed him into his groves and
gardens, peeped at him through the door.
kept guard on him through The window |
The inquisitive female who punches !
things with her parasol came, of course.
and She poked out a pane of glass to get |
a better view of Mr.. Jefferson in his |
room-the lion in his cage.
The ardent parent Who points his in
structive finger al things for the benefit |
of his little boy, and chen holds up the |
little boy 50 that he may get better
look was there also and Mr.. jefferson, !