New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-28
hrs. DOUGLASS TEACUPS.

From The ST. Louis Globe Democrat
story has been going the rounds OF the press
lately attributed to Mrs Senator Blngham-if any
historian can remember such SenatOr-that In.
frnges too closely upon an incident IN the ne OF
Mrs Stephen A. Douglas to be let pass Unmolested;
The tradition teers and the legend lovers oil
Washington have always remembered the pretty
and graceful ways of Mrs. Douglas, ana never
ceased to hold her up as the model OF statesman
wife Her tact and her amlability were bonndless,
and although when she married the Little Giant
she was very young and much his JUNIOR she
adapted herself to the position from the start so
thoroughly that wife of twenty years expert
ence In public lite could equal her. or every
friend for every constituent and for every enemy
of Senator Douglas she had Just the right thlhg
ready to say and. with her wonderful memory Tor
names faces and places, she was never WITHOUT
some personal inquiries to make OF each sIahecr;
Her social instinct was as marvellous as lle glS
second sight, and when she accompanied Mt.
Douglas on his famous journey through the South
TO visit his mother there was not person encouh-
tered in all that tour that she could not nave le-
cornized at sight and called by name had they
entered her parlOr unannOunced year laier MIS-
Douglass popularity was wonderful nj that time,
and her face and winning ways made friends fight
and left for the Senator, at that time candidate
for the Presidency. 49,
At one of her receptions in Washington great,
shy awkward con tituent from the most rustic
region of Illinois, presented himself IN Mrs. Doug
lass doorway, sent up there from the CapltOi by
the Senator, who had assured hun that his VIE
wOuld he delighted TO see him. The visitor was
anything but paror ornament. rnde. unpublished
son of the prairie, unused TO any OF the WAYS OF
society but a gOwer in the politics OF his nome,
and man whose influence could he OF vast assist
ance to Mr. Douglas. Entering the room gave him
n nervous chill, Mrs. Douglass pretty greeting
threw him into a fever and her inviting HIM out To
the refre>hment room completed case of palsy.
Ignoring his trepIdauOn SHE chatted away To MN
herself paid attention TO his stalnmrrlng re-
fusas and poured out the TEA into some miraculous
little cups of eggShel SevIes. Grasping the fairy
calyx in his fingers for first sip, the delicate bt
of Sevrcs was crushed to pieces and the hot tea
poured IN a stream Mrs. Douglass slIken train.
With a CAV laugh the lady said. How brittle they
are! Iust look AT mre," aud with a mighty effort
she broke another cup between her fingers. Re
assured the constituent drew his breath and found
himself at ease while that Incompatible hostess
talked TO him asked about his mot her his wife and
his children. all OF whom she remembered 80 well
and called by name. That man went home TO woIk
for vote for and swear by stephen a. Douglas, and
way back of his political convictions lay the piece
of those two broken teacups.
Some ladies discussing the incident at a
lunch party the other day. establishing Mrs. Dong
lass right 10 fame and routing the nvthlral Mrs.
Senator Bingham, of whom the perverted story has
lately been told SAID pretty woman:
wouldn't break my best teacups for any constituent
in my husbands district" Out OF the group there
was only one who cOurageously said: Id break my
whole dinner set if 1t would send my husband To
the Senate; and buy ones when l got u
Washington" she shrewdly added.