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Finally, in 1859, he became Governor of Texas, kissed the little Bible that was offered him and went courageously on his way. But within two years came the Civil War. He was loyal to the Union. Said he of Jefferson Davis: "He is as ambitious as Lucifer and as cold as a lizard." When the legislature sent the Lieutenant Governor to demand his official papers, he demanded scornfully, "What is your name, sir?" But his fighting days were done. He retired, and died in 1863, heartbroken, they say.
After all, a man of such temper must have taken the disposition of his household goods very lightly.
Perhaps moving is a more serious business in the life of Miriam Amanda Ferguson. Perhaps the thought of it made her so grave, last week, when the park of artillery before the Texas Capitol saluted with 17 guns; and, on the arm of Governor Neff, she squeezed down the crowded aisle of the House of Representatives. Governor Neff was smiling; so was Mr. Ferguson, her two daughters, her son-in-law, her little grandson perched on his father's arm; so was the roaring, jubilating crowd of 1,000 which for three hours had been awaiting her coming in the chamber. Mrs. Ferguson was very solemn.
The "Old Grey Mare" Band struck up a tune to which Miss May Peterson, onetime singer in the Metropolitan Opera Company, now returned .to her native Texas and clad in cowboy costume, trilled:
Put on your old gray bonnet With the blue ribbons on it, And hitch old Dobbin to the shay; For from Gulf to Coston, Folks are bound for Austin, For Ma's inaugural day.
At this a little page rushed up and presented Mrs. Ferguson with a great bunch cf red roses. She debouched to the Speaker's platform In a black satin gown with grey fur trimming, imported from Manhattan. Her hat was brown with a downturned rim and black goose feathers. The hall echoed with acclamations.
First the ceremony of changing Lieutenant Governors was gone through. The Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court then read the oath of office and Mrs. Ferguson repeated the oath after him, phrase by phrase, swearing that she had never fought a duel with deadly weapons, that she would be a good Governess to Texas, all without a smile. Then she kissed a little, worn Bible, the same that Sam Houston had kissed in taking office in 1859, the same that her own husband had kissed in taking office ten years and one day before.
Next, Mr. Pat Neff, until that moment Governor, stepped forward to make his farewell. Golden oratory flowed from his tongue:
"If in my hands at times, the white plumed flag of public interest went down in defeat, it was never dragged in the dust of dishonor.* "I am retiring to the sylvan shades of private life. I am going back to take my place in the rank and file of the people, where the great heart of humanity beats.
"I have left three things in the Executive Office for you. One is a portrait of Woodrow Wilson†, the next is a white flower and the third is an open Bible.
"The flower is a white rose, symbol of purity. . . . The Bible is opened to the 109th psalm, 105th verse: 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.' . . .