The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1870-03-18
MIS-. GRANTS RECEPTION.

The World OF day or two ago gave
the Hubjoinad account OF striking Incl
dent ut the White House. showing how
nature sometimes stIrpasscs form. and,
as the reporter says, presenting scene
not likely to be forgotten by any of
those who witnessed 1t:
MKs. GRANTS RECEPTION. Mrs. Grant
held another Of her afternoon recep-
tions to-day from 2 to o'clock, II was
by far the largest and most brilliant OF
aly given thus far this season. 1t was
also in way highly sensational; Tor,
instead of one, the public really attend
ed two receptions. of which the more
unexpected was perhaps the more well
come and significant. General and
Mrs. Mcclellan held this latter, and
that not only within the halls OF tue
Presidential mansion, but in the famous
Blue Room itself, With Mrs. Gi ant and
a gorgeeusly attired retinne standing
| cote, aud wit esses OF the scene from De-
| ginning to end.
1t happened in this wise. The re-
| ception was At its height. The whole
suite OF gorgeousy furnishe d rooms was
| crowded with people. The living tide
| was surgiug aud tossing. with oid-timed
| restless: ess,through the channels mark
| cd out by the four rooms and the long
corridor, throw open on occasions OF
ceremony like this Tor the last score o,
years or more. Many bad come and
iowsd Mt the shrine OF President al
greatness, nodded promiscueus greet
ings among the .'rowd, and squeezed a
way through the long fiies OF incomes
and had gone.
Others were left. however, to fill their
places- Mr.. the President had come IN
late from attending a fashionable we'd
ding and was at his post by the side o.
Mrs. the President. The countless
Dents were ubiquitous--a power hence
happy. The affair was eliminating.
, A carriage drawn by two white hors
: "a drove ND to the door. From 1t de
!, scended a pale, delicate-iooking wo
: man. leaning on the arm of a Iiandsom'
. military looking man. They slowi.
r entered the outer door and passed inte
the yestibule.
, Somehow passage wasopen for them
where others found only all impassaOi
, barrier. People looked. and those Il
front whispered hurriedly to those be
hind. TIE moment they had passed
: tle open space filled up as il by mage
/ land there was violent pushing to Id
{ front.
r Ina a little while they had passe
n through the crowd aud we're exchans
: ing Aaiutstions With the Presldentia
: party. ;,
n Then began scene, one long to ,
a remembered: the present incumoehl
| of theWliitc House will never forget ]
: People forgot them, or il they did II
j. member them, they didn't care 10 sho'
q II. Some one said: .There Is the ma
# who ought to have been President
i, and tho sentiment spread IKE wlldiir'
In les, time than it takes 10 ten
d the scene of the reception was tnlite
q and the actors had changed plaers.'
. GeneRal and Mrs. Mcclellan were Il
a the time being the President and i
n, rife. and General and Mrs. Grant'ou
A. siders'-nobody.
,- The real President grinned and 81
II maced. and, as is his habit when III $
ID ciaI troubles, plucked al his beard
m was comica to watch the look of chagr
- and ANNOYANCE on his face. as lie
10 turn watched the scene at liis eloo'
10 but what could he do
,e The situation was desperate 3eyo'
,e hcSe, ana until his unwitting rival h'
r. ouitted the field Of his triumph, he $40
h. here ir. blank despair. Relief came
y last. however,; but not until the rece
re ton had come to an end.
! AS General McC lellan quilted !
n room thoroughly worn out with
+. terrible hand.shaking he had und'
1T GONE Mrs. Secretary Fish came pt-
70 most magniticently dressed won
=. Who had trod the White House floor
IN | ten years