The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-09-08
WHITE HOUSE STORIES.
Tho stntc Steward Tells some Interesting
Tacts.

~~~--D
Facts.
A correspondent who bas an nc1uaint.
anoe with Mr.. Crump, steward of the
White Houeo, ct Washington. sends
come interesting particulars Of con e
versation with him. Orump says Mrs.
Hayes was always studying the comfort
OF her servants and moreover attentive
to every detail OF the management OF
the household. Mrs. Garfield was the
lady OF the White House but short
time before she was stricken down with
an almost fatal illness, and had mo-
recovered ere her husband, the be-
loved head OF the nation, fell prey 10
the assassin's bullet. She had. there.
Tore, little opportunity to show her
tastes in household direction, but IL
was evident that she would be not less
popular than was Mrs. Hayes.
1t may be OF interest to some people
to know the hours meals are served al
the White House. During President
Hayes's administration breakfast wa
served at $50 O'clock, lunch at l and
dinner at 6. When General Garfield
became the host the hours were slightly
changed. Breakfast was ready at 6 81.
dinner at 3, tea at 7. President Arihu,
is not regular as to any meal exeepi
dinner, which is served at 8 o'clock m
the evening. He is not an early riser,
and it is not unusual for his breakfas: |:
to be as late as 10. 30 o'clock. A cup q
coffee is always relished by him at thi
meal. He rarely resigns himself to
slumber till 3 or o'clock in the morn
ing. and five or six hours are all PC
requires for rest. How he maintain
good health under the heavy strain o
30 many hours activity is qudxtiof
that troubles his friends. He is fouo
OF the delicacies OF the season, and hi
table is not the least expensive OF IT,,
various drafts upon his purse.
What Crump can say about the life
IN the sick.room during Gar4ield's lonr
illness would make very interestip.l
volume. 1t was asserted at thu tine
and generally believed, that when Mrs
Garfield returned on the day of ti,
tragedy from Long Branch, the meet
ing with her stricken husband was I'm
observed by any one. The fact is tba
Orump witnessed the interview, thoust
not through any choice of his own
Several times during the day th,
President asked Of the faithful stewart
who sat by his side gently flaming hi
face. L wonder how far on her wa,
Mrs. Garfield is now? p what time Il,
you think she'll get here Crump?'
When it was known that the specIa
train had arrived, and that the carriage
bringing Mrs Garfield and Miss Molb,
was approaching the White House. th.
President directed Crump to go to the
window and observe how his wife nu
Pcaieo. one ls apparently cheerful
M. President" reported Crump, A.
Mrs. Garfield aliebted and Harry Gar.
aeld placed his arm about his nothe,
to support her up the steps. 1t wa
ordored by those in charge of the sici
room that Mrs. Garfield should be al
lowed to meet her husband alone. o.
course 10 one thought of lingering
and Crump among the rest, prepared t.
leave. The President called HIM bacl
saying, II want you to stay; 1 ma,
want you" So Crump remained at hi
post'by the bed, and, though he woult
gladly have gone out with the reet, b,
XaS compelled to witness the meeting
"What was said at that meeting shal
never divulge, except by permission O
Mrs. Garfield" said Crump to me. Ons
thing is evident, however; what Mrs
Garfield eaid SO far restored the courage
OF the wounded man that he ralliet
from that time on.
At no time during the first twenty
four hours was it thought the Pres;den
could frecover. The sick-room wal
crowded with rhyei..ia..~ -.--I-tL..s VII,
had the privileges of the house. A,
remarks were in consonance with th,
dPeblif5jd blgi 5deb dtebat asath would snrA'
"What is the use to probe" woult
be the response; she can't live anyhow
ssIf he lives four hours, he can liv,
tspentv wnnld he heard frnm annthar
These remarks naturally enough an
noyed the sick man. He asked CrumI
to clear the room and allow in only
those whose presence was necessary
The remark that il hc lived four hour
he would live twenty, made deep i'm
preston upon the sufferer, and it wal
evident to those who watched h;u
closely and heard his remarks that he
firmly expected to die. He spoke o.
the approaching end, and said he wa,
not afraid to go. lie talked very muck
Of the life hereafter, and once when IL
this mood he suddenly asked OF the
steward, "Crump, are you feauy 10 dief
Crump admitted that he was not pre-
pared ind then the President spoke Of
the readiness he felt to meet his Maker.
He even spoke of the scene when he
should breath his last. ''Put old jim
tnree," ho said in nitusion to his loved
secretary Of state, pointing to place
by the side OF the bed, and also indi
eating tho positions for others who
should witness him die. He continually
spoke OF Blaine during his illness, and
alter the surgeons had issued orders to
keep out of the room all but Mrs. Gar.
field and the nurses, he often desired
that Blaine should be sent for.