The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, July 30, 1899, Page 27

THE SUNDAY CALL. 27 cer of the United States e never fallen in pleas- T he Black of Major is perhaps no v on guard gate at horse, winners, advanced with extended hand.’ “Mary!” he called to his daughter, as Captain and Mrs. McKittrick came into the room, “allow me to present Miss Lee.” And oh what a happy trio I found them; and these three individuals com- prise the family of the house of Shafter. “Nothing could be simpler and more methodical than father’s daily life,” seid Mrs. McKittrick. “Why, he eats by military discipline and sleeps the least of any man I ever heard of. I cannot understand how he bears up under his active life with so little rest. I really do not believe more. than three hours’ sleep in tlie twenty-four. ‘“We breakfast at 8 o'clock, then Zather reads his malil and if nothing of importance prevents we go out for an hour's ride—sometimes to the Presidio and frequently to the park. Then very often we return to find his office filled with women and crying babies to plead for their husbands’ discharge.” Even as she talked the doorbell rang and three women were admitted to his study, which is in the south wing of the Youse. The general left us in the outer room —but their earnest, penetrating voices floated through the open door. “Now, just listen,” said Captain Mc- spurs and jingling armament. Perhaps, I feebly suggested, perhaps by order of the commanding officer I can smuggle s unwel machine into the grounds? Perhaps—but I—it ne y to- finish the sen- was in hand and obeisance low, he permission to. pass. tment with the comman. as quite a different thing. e occupied by General Shaf- rst build: approached It is flanked on the east ) closely cropped agnificent views ny waters of the of the San Fran- v hour that T pressed n to General Shafter's Iy answered by vhom the gen- rom Havana. sy answering or other impor- visitor is mot kept s at breakfast,” an- W I wait? Oh, yes; and study in the meantime the great quiet that pervaded the atmosphere in the home of 1 quiet which ever hovers around : momentous and is a har- bt in domestic life. tion room {is furnished in ceiling is low and the walls with red tapestry. An old- stairway cuts the middle of this room on the south and at its right opens a door leading to the general’s office. Thegeception room gives one the feel- ing of quiet luxury, without useless red; t are cover. bric-a-brac, but I knew when I entered that a woman’s hand had fashioned the I knew by the by the easy ar- by the pictures on the wall, by the thousand and one little earmarks that do not disguise a woman's touch. The taste was ex- quisite and lacked the furniture store “stay where 1 place you” order of things. And the woman whose individuality lurked in the arrangement of Black Point quarters. is none other than General Shafter’s own graclous daugh- ter, Mrs. McKittrick, the wife of Cap- tain McKittrick of the commander's staff. “I am so sorry to have kept you waiting,” said a kindly voice from the doorway, then General Shafter, with a heartful of gympathy, for the breads comforts of the hc flowers in the v se, rangement of furniture A that he gets, Kittrick, and we suddenly fell Into si- lence. One woman wanted a pass on the transport that she might foin her hus- band in Manila. And the other—we did not hear what she asked, but we heard the general's question, “Upon what grounds?”’ Then .the timid woman's voice betrayed -her emotion, but gtrengthened her purpose, and she said, half shyl “Because — Mr. just can’t live without h! “What @&id you let him queried the sympathetic judge. . “Well, you sce, I aldn't know that I really cared so much.” Then, hesitat- Shafter, because—I go for?” ingly, “We ly marrfed last month; and T h te to find out until he had gon A prolonged "O—h" wassthe co mander’s reply. Now I am*sorry that I cannot tell you how that little matter ended, for the next instant the hostess brought me a letter from a Philadelphia asking what size of shoes wore—the style, kin 14 wanted to know usually kept on hand. “Why, this is only one of the many letters that he gets at You would be surprised at the number of bables who have been named for HOrE LIFE OF THE COI'I'TAN=- DER OF THE DEPARTTIENT OF THE PA- CIFIC SHOWN BY A CAMERA him, and of coursé these letters must be answered. “I mean these letters from the chris- tened infants’ mothe: and he usually sends each one a souvenir Spoon. “Father goes to his office at 9:80 a. m. He works adily until 4:30 in the afternoon, then comes home to dinner. Very often he is kept busy until 8 o'clock giving advice or listening to the troubles of mothers whose soens have gone to war, or to the wives of soldiers left behind. “It fs such a long way out here and he cannot beer to disappoint them, and I kave known him to cancel evening en- gagements just tHat he might give com- fort to those who apked-his advice.” McXKittrick, ke hér father, oclal success. We n 88 through the music. room to & room In the east wing which over- looks the bay and contains curios, In- dian trinkets , and battle trophies, brought from Pine Ridge and Santiago. After we had examined battle axes, mechetes and Spanish cannon of which Mrs. McKit- is “Galllna,” the mascot I with a laugh, “although h “You have heard hen, haven't you?” ly. “No? Then hav the mascot , laughing- 11 you.” “Oh, that is an old story,” the general modestly answered; ‘“in fact, I knew but little about it until the chicken was brought to me. My aids found a half- starved Cuban boy who came from a destftute family. They gave him a good dinner, then packed a burro with pro- visions, set him on top and started him out for home—never expecting to see him again. “Two or three days later the little fel- low came back with his hand thrust into the bosom of his ragged shirt, and held it there until he stood before me, when, to my surprise, he drcw out his hard and gave me this chicken. “A chicken. in. that desolate country was8 an extraordinary sight—mno one knew where he found it—and he only said, ‘Muchas gracias,” and leaving the chicken in my hand he ran away. “We kept that chicken. It roosted in & birdcage until it grew too large, and frequently perched upon the headboard of my bed. “But now come and look at Toral. I am very proud of him, I assure you.” “Toral came from Santiago, also,” said Captain McKittrick, patting the pony’s head, “and we have named him “Toral’ after his former master, from whom we captured him.” “Now, what do you prize most of all of your battlefield spoils, General Shaf- Tep®s “Mariano,” interrupted his daughter, with a laugh, “although he cannot ex actly be called a relic of war. Father is very fond of him and 1 keep him as long as he wishes to rem “Mariano's relatives were per willing for him to come with father s knew that he would have the advi tage of travel denied to him in Hae vana.” Just then an orderly came up the ave- nue, leading General Shafter's horse. “It is not a very fine-looking animal, is 1t?"" remarked the general. “Every- body seems to be afraid of him.” Then he laughed heartily. “What Is his name?” “Bill,’ " was the emphatic answer— “not a very pretty name; is 1t7" “Do you kno sald his daughter, drawing me 3 , “I am -dreadfully frightened every time I see him go out on that horse. Why? ‘Bill’ kicks and cuts such great capers, especially W he has not been exercised for a da tion . and good-natur “Only one end of ‘B time when I am on his back “That’s so,” said Captain McKittrick. There is such a feeling of genuine affection in this little family of three, a quiet, undefinable warmth and that speak louder than words of a con- tented home. Orderlies are constantly coming and going with messages. Communications by telephone and telegraph continually speak of the com- mander’s busy life. The life of no prominent public man is exempt from severe critici his rapacious enemies, for he has enemies, have censured him, these malicious attacks, his assailants by d . But of those who know him intimate- at a goes up ly, who judge of his generosity and eonsideration for others, these know him best who have visited his home and shared an hour with the indulgent father and the modest commander of the Department of the Pacific. ANNABEL LEB, , it i ‘: