Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-08
Written By Albert Edward ullnan

1
in 1907.
| Turning UP the broad driveway of
Westiand, I sighted an old-fashioned
mansion standing primly in a grove
LOT trees. Il was a gray and fat old
house, with placid face that seemed
70 ignore the presence Of examples
of modern architecture peeping over
the front hedge About it ana the
grounds there was an air OF simple
ity that bespoke the taste of those
who dwelled there. The wide porch
beckoned Hospitality and the sharp
bark OF dog and a childish shout
added a touch of life to the scene.
To the right Cedar grove, a range of
hills dark and green, stood out en- the
horizon, While Cherry valley made
but purple shadow below.
A plump serving maid opened the
door and was soon seated In the
music room with ar opportunity to
take in my surroundings. Furniture
and brLc-a-brac and antiques Of al
most every land were placed care
lessly about, blotting out the sharp
angles of the room, yet retaining an
air OF piainness. The hand of child
Icould be seen. 70 IA dog-eared book of
fairy tales rested on a carved ivory.
Over the mantle was a painting of
la young woman whose beauty and
charm once graced the white house.
Enter Grover Cleveland.
The next moment there was firm
tread in the reception hall and Gro
lver Cleveland, ex-president, stood be-
fore me. His handshake was as firm
and vigorous as that of man of 40
and his voice quiet and steady as he
invited me into his library.
There, seated in a comfortable
Ichair before his desk, had good
lchanee to measure the man His rud-
Idy face limited at outdoor life. He
was much lighter than when | saw
him last, now Weighing but 200
lpounds His hair was marked with
gray and the light blue eyes lacked
hardly in luster and twinkled with
an amused glance as he observed
the close scrutiny of his visitor De-
cidedly. this grand GU man was 10
years young
At first glance one would take him
for a we'll to do country squire. He
was CARRIED in square cut frock
suit Of dark worsted, relieved by a
red tie. AS he crossed one foot over
the other you noticed that the shoes
were of the broad, common sense va
riety. Then, raising your eyes to the
lionlike head, with the strong face
and its massive features, the first
impression was lost and you knew
that facing you was a man who had
accomplished great things in the
whirl of life.
There was no sign of the mental
deterioration that usually comes with
advancing years. His conservation
was easy and natural, displaying a
quick mental grasp of his subjects.
His opinions, delivered after careful
thought, showed that he retained that
same determination of will which
marked him as no mans man when
he presided over the destinies of the
nation.
Nothing of Poseur.
There was no false dignity about
him, no unconscious posing, no re-
serve. Only a man, free of manner
and democratic to the backbone, sat
isfied with his work in the past, striv-
ing to do more and leading a life of
simple retirement that spreads a
shadow of quiet dignity and peace
over his declining years. And then
you are seized with wonder and mar
vel at the mystery that has permit
ted him to retain these youthful at
tributes that are part of the years
that have fed.
Like a flash the explanation came.
l was standing in the reception hall
with him after leaving the library.
There was a patter of romping feet
behind US, a cry intended to repre-
sent the noise of some ferocious wild
beast smote our ear drums, and then
Francis Grover Cleveland, aged So,
seized his father about the knees ana
gave every evidence of an eager de-
sire to devour him.
The change had come. There was a
relaxation OF the stern lines of the
face and youthful light in his eyes
as ne laughed heartily and asked:
/ What is it, my boy?"
I'm going to kill bear" answered
the youngest of the family in terribly
impressive tones. please come and
help me- he added, turning to the
visitor.
Killing the Bear.
| With my assistance he sccH had
the stuffed bear throttled and buried
deeply IN a mound of sofa cushions,
while his elder stood by deeply
amused at my impressment into the
mock feat Of bear killing. Now the
mind of Francis changed
Let's cook him and eat him. he
cried.
i yes, let's" l replied
Here's a piece. No, don't eat it
that way" he demonstrated. You get
the hair in your mouth"
And then an explosion of laughter
told US that when one is round in
irirth and mast has majority some time