Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 July 1884 — A PRESIDENT’S BEAUTIFUL WIDOW. [ARTICLE]

A PRESIDENT’S BEAUTIFUL WIDOW.

A Visit to the Home us Mrs. Jtamen K. Polk. Bight in the heart of Nashville stands a large old fashioned homestead of dull-red brick, its roof projecting over the broad piazza, supported by great fluted pillars, and its general aspect convening an impression of* severe stateliness in pleasing variance with the same neighborhood. A long lawn stretches in front of the house, and its pleasant green monotony is unbroken save by a plain massive tomb of white marble which carries its own best epitah in the simple inscription of James K. Polk. A ring at the bell brought to the door a good natured colored girl, who took our cards to the venerable and venerated widow of President Polk. A woman like Mrs. Polk is a revelation to the beauties of old age. Gentlebenevolence, broad reaching charity, ripe experience and a cultivation of mind that extends beyond letters of mankind shine through her conversation, and her ready" memory, keen” wit and a store of reminiscence illumine it. Sixty years ago at*the time of her marriage, Mrs, Polk was considered remarkable for her beauty, and ’twenty years after when she presided at the White House it was so fresh and unimpaired as to attract great admiration, and be notek in the published works and private journals of distinguished foreigners. Time, of course, has stolen the vivid coloring and curved outlines of youth, but lie has not robbed her of the upright figure and dignified carriage, and left brightness in her eyes and vivacity in her'voice, besides lending an added charm to her faultless manners . Crowned with eighty years of honor she rose to receive us, and lam not ashamed to say, that something like dimness came over my eyes at the sight of this brave widow who for nearly half a Century has lived happy in the thought that every day as it passes brings her one nearer to her beloved husband. We all have our little joke about widows, but it dies on the lips when you see one, who like Mrs. Polk, exemplifies the beauty of fidelity. From the library of the dead President she can gaze upon the tomb . that marks his resting place, and in that same library remain his hat, gloves and cane, just where he laid them when he came home for the last time. The book he was reading lies open on the table, and the papers of the day beside it. In society, and fond of it, Mrs. Polk has yet never accepted an invitation since her husband s death, though with graceful hospitality and tact she has received on the first day of each year the Tennessee Legislature, which adjourns in a body to call upon her—and which I am told is the highest compliment ever paid by State authorities to a lady—and the civic, judicial and ecclesiastical bodies make it a point to pay their respects to her.— “ Cress” in Cincinnati Enquirer.