Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-17
An Hour ~ the White House.
ny NRS NARY aHANNoH


On the 9Th day OF May, at the request OF Mira
Elizabeth K Mason. tw1fe Of Sergeant John Mason,
OF battery B, I'd q. g. artillery addressed note
TO the President setting forth that the wife OF this
poor soldier, now incarcerated in the Albany pen
itentiary, begged q short interview, that she
might, In her own way, plead for clemency In be-
half OF her husband. The following evening re-
ceived note from the Executive Mansion. stating
"that the President would be pleased to see Mrs.
Mason Thursday, May 10th, between and 8
O'Clock p. m" notified Mrs. Mason OF the appoint
ment, and she came to my residence.
We arrived at the White House twenty minutes
before O'Clock, and were shown into the East
Martha Washington, and soon found ourselves
with sightseeing party. We passed into the
new Nile green satin curtains. the chairs. sofas.
fauteuils upholstered in the same style, varied by
some In rich green and cardinal tinted embossed
to this room, which show that the President has
an eye for the beautiful Mrs. Hayes portrait, in
the Green room, elected much admiration from the
strangers TO me the huge lunches of cranes on
the corners OF the frame seemed more adapted to a
picture OF Bacchus than to adorn the likeness Of
A portrait Qtfe size) OF the late lamented PresI-
dent, by Andrews, In a magnificent frame, had
Just neen placed In this room until its future posi-
hall deserted" She found no pleasure in these at.
oner's cell, and the burden of her hearts song,
like Gretchen's, seemed to be 'smy peace is gone
my heart Is sore, find him never, never more"
Having sent our cards, we took seat in the
large aDte-room by good fire; threatening clouds
obscured the sun and cast a gloom; all seemed
Ing for the coming interview, which would be
the harbinger OF good or evil to a sad heart. At
Ine expiration OF half an hour, the messenger
sired to see u.s." We were shown to his private
parlor and had to wait but a few moments when
ne entered from the opposite door. The American
n thQfr pr.ctd onf fnrh fc
gentle and courtly manners doubt If any pres
ent monarch could enter the drawng-ro with
when he came to take by the hand the wife Of the
poor soldier
l presented Mrs. Mason to the President He
mad at last arrived, her pent up feelings could
no longer be restrained. She broke forth In
sobs; the President looked on with compassion
When she raised her eyes She had full faith in him
for his countenance inspired confidence She then
MADE pathetic appeal for her poor husbands re-
appreciated her feelings, that he knew all the
details OF the case that he would bring the matter
before his Cabinet and that ne would do all in his
power. He said she need not distress herself to
tell him any OF the details, and she might feel
sure ,a mat ne deeply syInpathized with her. He
kindest manner. We then retired to the ante
room and took our departure.
The President brings to mind the magnanmous
man described by Aristotle in the,Ethics, "who
thinks himself worthy OF great things, being in
truth worthy" In his manner of speaking, which
10 idpius uiS CudTuu COuSlStS IN o warmth anu
softness OF heart, sympathy with human suffer-
ing, and an apparent hatred OF injustice. He seems
10 possess high intrepid commanding spirit. con-
scous OF superiority not an upstart who II fortune
turned would sink from arrogance into abject
humility like one OF his predecessors.
The Indians and COmmissiOner Price.
To the Editor Of THE EVENING STAR.
We have heard read and Interpreted to us an
article in your paper of the 18th instant which is
not quite right. DR.. Blanc was with us during
the council with Secretary Teller, but he did not
talk for us We talked for ourselves and Secre-
tary Teller talked to US like friend. Chief Clerk
stephens was not in the council; so he did not
TAX at an we came here over two moons ago by
permission OF the commissioner. We asked him to
hold council with us, about our lands and other
matters, but he refused. Our interpreter, Joseph
Leonard, and DR.. Bland went to him again TO ask
him to hold talk with us, but he still refused
we then, through Mr. Leonard, and our friend,
DR.. Bland, asked the Secretary to hold council
with us. and he very kindly did SO. and now we
can go home to our people and tell them that the
Secretary Is our friend, and we think he will see
that our land is not taken from u.s.
NI-As-TO, Chief OF the WachitaS
BIG-MAN, Chief OF the CaddoS
I E0I Int