The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-08-10

and the diplomatic parent would nave
realized that he had over-reached him
self.
In The spring Of 1TSS Mr. Jefferson went
to Amsterdam to concert with Mt ADAMS
some plan to satisfy the hungry creators
of the United States. Travelling In ms
own carriage. using post horses, he pass
ed through Nalenciennes, Brussels An
werp Rotterdam and The Hague Mr.
Adams joined him here, and they proceed
| ed In company to Amsterdam, Where tH@S
got rid of the Old debts by the compare
! lively familiar device Of making a ne"
one Mr. Adams having executed oonds
| to the amount of million forms subJecl
| to the approval of congress, the ministers
! separated. and Mr.. Jefferson extended has
journey up the Rhine, visiting Cologne
| Frankfort. Heidelburg, Mannheim, Cars
! ruhe and Strasburg. he returned to Paris
| by way OF the Marine.
! At the time Mr. jefferson accepted the
diplomatic mission. he had supposed that
his absence from home would not be
long. Two years was the length of his
! term OF office But when congress noim-
mated him TO the position made vacant by
DR.. Franklin his stay had prolonged itself
| five years.
1t was important that he should return
home for at least a few months HIS pFi-
vate business required 1t; his family az
fairs required It.
Not TIL August. 17Sa. did he receive no
tice OF the desired leave Of absence. and
1t was November. 1888 when he and his
daughters reached Norfolk. They jour
neyed toward home leisurely Tor it was
not till Christmas was almost upon them
that they reached Monticello.
In Richmond where the legislature was
IN session, his loyal friend. Edmund Ran
dolph. met him At the head Of a deputation
from the house to welcome him home and
present congratulatory resolutions O.
Making suitable reply Mr.. Jefferson CON
tinued his journey, til he reached the
home OF Mr.. Eppes, his brother in law.
where he spent some DAYS.
AS his carriage at length drew near
Monticello Two days before Christmas.
everybody on the place came strea ming
down the road TO meet him.
The negroes were in a state Of excite
ment, which grew they waited; end
when at length they caught sight OF his
carriage they broke into shouts Of vel
come. They whooped they laughed, they
cried-they couldn't keep hands off. They
must take hold OF something. somewhere.
Traces were undone. horses taken out.
stout slaves caught hold. and IN spite OF
all the master could do, the negroes
rush up hill with the carriage, some pull
Ing in front, some pushing behind some
keeping at the WHEELS till the level ground
wes reached at the top; and old master
was a home again.
The door was plucked open and Mr.
Jefferson was caught up In strong arms
and "totedt into the house in the midst
OF a deliriunl OF enthusiastic joy which
passed from the kissing OF his hands 70
the kissing OF his feet.
Bright shone the lights al Monticello
that night; and late was the hour no
doubt. when the sounds of gladness died
away and sleep enwrapped the place
big house " quarters ana all. And after
everybody else had gone 70 bed and every
other candle was out, we have not the
slightest doubt that the homecoming
statesman softly opened the secret draw
er, in the private cabinet touched rever-
entity the souvenirs Of the dead wife, who
hai always greeted his return before,
and in the loneliness OF the house where
all but he slumbered, the old wounds
which have bled enough" opened once
more aud bled again.