The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-05-18

divinely tall and most diyinely fair
and rather showily dressed for the
early morning hours. 1.-The morning
papers" I said, publish what is vir-
tually card from the Senator, and
- "Yes.'' she exclaimed, Eyes;
unfortunately; cannot help it, l
remarked that I thought she might
perhaps wish to make some ezplana-
tion or rejoinder. "No"; she said,
ST cannot. You see that I cannot
contradict my father. He can say
what he pleases, and I ana not in
position to defend myself. You see
how it is. No; but thank you. "
OF course I desisted from attempting
to obtain an interview, and withdrew.
! then called at the auction house,
and found floor after floor crowded
full of the most expensive furniture
and equipments, including choice
bric-a-brac from many climes. AS I
was inspecting an ormolu clock my
attention was attracted by the long
drawn sigh of a woman robed in black
sitting in one of the gilded teak-wood
chairs. When looked towards her
she said "Ah, sir, this reminds me ~
I said "You have seen this furniture
beforeY She replied in a melancholy
tone "For years lived among it,
She said no more. l wanted to ask
the clishevelled and weather beaten
woman what she knew about it, but
the bashfulness of regular CORES
pondent caused me to forbear.
The collection offered for sale to the
highest bidder contains many rare and
valuable works of art, representing the
best craftsmanship of the East Indies
and China. These things ought to
find a place in some national museum,
either in Washington or New York.
The richly carved ebony and teakwood
furniture, including sofas, chairs, ia
bles, pedestals, ETC., is as massive and
beautiful as anything of the kind ever
seen in America, and is upholstered
with fine Persian embroidery. Seve-
raj gorgeous sets of furniture are Of
French make, rococo in style, covered
with gold and Aubusson tapestries in
pale grays and lovely designs of flow
ers Perhaps the most interesting
part OF the collection consists of elab
crate Chinese embroideries On pale
blue and gold colored satin. This
includes very large hangings, curtains,
portieres, etc., enough to line great
ball room. They are covered with
dragons with huge staring eyes and
switching tails; birds Of all species,
including storks and peacooks; con-
ventional designs peculiar to the Chi
nese, and done in both fat and raised
work; water monsters and dashing
sea waves. There are also Turkish
carpets, paintings, and 1ich brica-
brac. The presumption is that the
Asiatic furniture came to the Senator
through the Chinese Ambassador who
once occupied Castle Stewart.
The household of Senator Stewart
has long been distinguished for its
| turbulence. Is there aay cause for
wonder? The late Mrs. Stewart was
a daughter of that, Henry S. Foote
who beat Jefferson Davis in the can
vass for Governor of Mississippi and
who was for many years Senator from
that State. During the war he was
a pseudo Union man, and in favor Of
accepting the terms offered by Lincoln
! in '63 and 81. He had most violent
temper and was terrible in his fits of
anger. He fought at least six duels
and he and Thomas H. Benton had a
knock-down on the floor of the SEN
ate. Two of his duels were with
the magnetic orator, S. S. Prentiss,
and the story is told that in one of
them Prentiss looked up tree. where
some boys had climbed to see the fight
and sang out "Take care, boys, bet
ter come down. Foote is shooting
wild this morning. - Foote was
quick on the trigger, ready to fight
anybody with or without cause, and
is reported to have sent at least a
dozen challenges that were not accept
ed. So the troubles in the "Stewart
Castle" were perhaps hereditary.