He was a tall, spare figure, with black, well-set eyes, black
hair, now showing thin at the temples and somewhat bald; he had a short
black beard and moustache and his carriage was upright and dignified.
He could be stern, even severe, when things aroused his anger, and
nothing could touch his temper quicker than underhand dealings or a
mean act. But his whole being was steeped with love of his kind and
sympathy with the poor.

In the early days of Jefferson he and a friend bought a deed
for a cemetery and presented it to the Jewish community. His home was
opened to social and political gatherings where his friends were sure
of a warm welcome. Renestine was always the center of attraction of
these social affairs. She was proud of her husband and flushed with
happiness when she saw him surrounded by admiring groups of men.

At this time a new influence came into their lives. It was a
fine old Frenchman, who had drifted down to Jefferson from Alabama,
where he had been a professor of piano teaching. His name was
D'Archais, and by degrees they learned his history. But the immediate
result of their meeting was to give their two little daughters, now
eight and ten years old, to him to be instructed in music.

The history of this new friend was a romantic one. During the
time of Louis Philippe he left Paris. His property and title had been
taken by the revolutionists for he was an aristocrat, a Count, and he
found that he was safer with the ocean between him and his beloved
Paris.

He landed in Mobile, Alabama, and used his accomplishments of