Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-02-11

immediate predecessors. Her dignity is such
as will prevent her from falling into the err
rors which made Mrs Lincoln's reign so dis
figured with folly.
Her good sense, good taste and patriotism
will keep her from Mrs. Grants mistake of
using her position to foist all her pauper rela-
tives upon the Government. And it is safe to
predict she will have breadth of mind enough
to avoid the errors which, with the best of
intentions on her part, have arisen from Mrs.
Hayess somewhat limited ideas. When Mrs.
Hayes stated, as has been alleged, that she
was not aware Of doing anything peculiar
that she merely kept her own opinions and
style Of housekeeping and transferred them
to the White House-sho stated what was
literally true but in SO saying she admitted
her incapacity to meet, in the wider sphere,
the enlarged requirements OF the situation.
Mrs. Garfield, though woman of equally
strong opinions, will not carry her personal
prejudices over the boundary line Of courtesy,
nor will she oppose the appointment of a man,
fitted by craftsmanship and patriotism to con-
serve in official position the best interests of
the country, because he doesn't belong to her
church. Replying TO a remark about her re-
luctance to newspaper publicity, Mrs. Gar
field said 'I have seen so much that wns
trashy, untrue and unjust published OF Wash
ington people in prominent positions that l
have become rather disgusted. Besides, my
life has been utterly uneventful. There is
really nothing to write of it,"
Her youth was spent quietly at Hiram, and
there were struggles connected with it, in OBJ
tanning her education, which have doubtless
aided in developing her self.reliant spirit
Since marriage her life has been devoted to
her family, but she has always given up
great deal of time 10 the rites of hospitality.
"Bless you" said a local gossip, they
haVs always been overrun with visitors.
Why, Mr.. Garfield hasn't had a chance to get
acquainted, hardly, with people here" The
same oracle said Mrs Garfield is wonder
fully firm il she once makes up her mind to
a thing nothing can turn her. Now, the
General can be coaxed, but they both have
splendid family government"
"There isn't better behaved family of
children anywhere. They are chips of the old
block, too--wide awake, independent and
full of fun. That little Abram, he contin-
ued, lis a clipper The night of the Grant
demonstration he was going around shouting
'Hurrah for Weaver = and when some one
tried to stop him he said he'd holler for who
he wanted to- Mollie is nico girl She's
got her fathers way of making herself popu-
lar. Everybody likes her. Oh, there's no
nonsense about any of them. The General
drives his own horse to church and takes care
Of it himself, and they are the most modest
looking folks that come into the meeting
house,
The gossip continued his anecdotes (when
the average Mentorian gets wound up on the
Garfield subject-he talks until the whistle
Of the locomotives cut him short, and the
pilgrim boarded the train, with a goodbye
for Mentor, and an uncommonly pleasant
picture tucked away in his memory Of a
charming home and of the future mistress Of
the White House. The latter picture is in
personnel q slender, graceful lady, with a
transparently clear complexion, delicate fea-
lures and clear, penetrating brown eyes
hair the same shade of brown, worn in
braid at the back, and frizzed quite in con-
yentional style in front. dark blue dress,
simple lace tie and little or no jewelry COM
pleted the lady's home appearance.
A gentleman well acquainted with the fam
lily remarked, Mrs. Gafield looks little
worn now, and no wonder. She has changed
a good deal within the last year. When she
got the telegram announcing the nomination
the tears came into her eyes, and when she
was asked if she was not glad and proud to
hear it, she said oh, yes but it is a terrible
responsibility to come 10 him and to me :; but
tell you she has put her shoulder to the
wheel bravely so far, and she viii continue
to the end"