The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-02-13
Mrs Senator Bruce.

Ever since the colored Senator from Miss.
issippi, Bruce, brou ght his bride to the cap
ital Washington society has directed curl
Gus gaze upon Mrs. Senator Bruce and won
dered what part she would take in the social
life here. There was no inconsiderable fear
had arisen, which would not only create
much unpleasantness but might bring out
the "color line" in an awkward relief. The
social rank OF United States Senator is
not to be disregarded; hence the position oc-
cupied by Mrs. Bruce was felt to be deli
cate one that called consummate tact in rec
ognizing it. Two months have passed how
ever, and there is not ripple upon the So
cial current. The apprehensions of some
we'll meaning persons have disappeared, and
yet Mrs. Bruce has been received as men,
Der of Washington society, and her bear
ing emphatically approved thereby. This
result has been largely brought about by the
level medicines of the colored Senator him :
self. Speaking incidentally of this matter
to your correspondent yesterday, he showed
how easily was his life made clear of social
entanglements. Said he :: The social ques-
ton has never been matter of concern to
me since was elected to the Senate. When
came here made up my mind to let the
society question adjust itself without any of
my intervention. [ have never attempted
to force my way into society, and in letting
things take their natural course have never
had particle of trouble. Ibelieve that it is
only the one who seeks trouble from the
color line that finds it; and, dissmissing
all ideas on the race question from my mind,
find my social life passes smoothly and
pleasantly" The Senator's good sense in
the matter having long been known by his
his card basket was filled with as many
cards OF invitation possibly as any distin-
guished person here. When Mrs. Bruce
| took up residence here the LIST person to pay
her social. respects to the bride was the wife
of the President She was so much pleased
I, with Mrs. Bruce's ladylike bearing that she
repeated her visit, and then soon followed
nearly all of the Senator'S and large num-
Der OF members wives. OF course, the Cab
met ladies were not behindhand in their re-
spects, and, Us is the custom here, after the
wife of the Secretary of State had by call
ing formally indicted Mrs. Bruce into Wash
| SOSiCOy3 vtohoo NSNoulO f1ObOAoA-
much so in fact that time has not allowed Of
their being rapid. Every one who has call
ed at Senator Bruces residence, at No. sos
NJ street where he has recently removed
from College Hill speaks in glowing terms
of his wife. Her beauty and accom-
plishments are both praised, and even those
who went to see her, more to crafty love
of curiosity than anything else. accord hel
full need of praise. Mrs. Bruce before
her marriage was Miss Josephine Wilson,
daughter Of DR.. Wilson, wealthy resident
of Cleveland. Ohio. She graduated with
high honors at the Cleveland High School
and speaks French and German fuently
She is of fine presence; her complexion is
rich olive, and her hair Jet black, silken
in quality and lustrous in hue s; eyes are full
and dark, and teeth perfect. There IS a
grace in her movements that any lady might
be proud Of, and, better than all, their is a
quiet dignity in her manners that bespeaks
the perfect lady. She resembles closely
what we all imagine beautiful Spanish
lady to be, and no one cognizant of her brit
could trace any signs of African Blood
have often heard in the South that these
signs were unmistakable, and no matter how
fair in complexion and how far removed
from the negro, the marks OF African bloot
were always visible. Mrs. Bruce puts sucl
theories to flight. The Senator is Of the colo
designated in the South as saddle colored,
and is a $50 FOUNDER Wash. Cor. BALI
more american,