West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-06-09
NIrs. DoucIns,s Tcncuns.

A story has been going the rounds OF
the press lately, says the 81, Louis Globe
Democrat, attributed TO Mrs. Senator
Bingham IL any historian can remember
such Senator-that infringes too closely
upon an incident In the life of Mrs. Stephen
A. Douglas TO be let pass unmolestcd.
The tradition tellers and the legend lovers
of Washington have always remembered
the pretty and graceful ways of Mrs.
Douglas, and never ceased To hold her up
as the model of n atatesman's wife. Her
tact and hor amiability were bouudleso,
aud although when shc married the Little
Giant she was very young and much his
junior, she adapted herself TO the position
from the start 80 Thoroughly that no wife
of twenty years experience In public lifo
could equal her. Fyr every friend, for
every constituent, and for every enemy OF
Senator Douglas she had just the right
thing ready TO cay, and, with her wonder
full memory for names, faces and places,
che was never without some personal in
quiries To make of each stranger. Her
social instinct was as marvellous IA the
gift of second sight, and when she accom-
panied Mr.. Douglas on his famous journey
through tho South to visit hip mother,
there WAS not n person encountered In all
that tour that she could not have recogni-
zed at sight and called by name, had they
entered her parlor unapnounced year
later Mrs. Douglass popularity was
wonderful at that time, and her face and
winning ways made friends right aud left
for the Senator, at that time candidate
for the Presidency.
AT one of her receptions in Wasbins st0n
a great, shy, awkward constituent from
the most rustic region Of Illinois, present
ell himself In Mrs. Douglass doorway
| sent up there, from the Capital by the Sem
ator, who. had assured him that his wife
would be dehBhte! to see him. The visi
tor was anything but parlor ornament, a
rude, unpublished son OF the prairie, unu
sed to any OF the ways of society, but n
power in the politics OF his home, and a
man whose influence could be of vast
assistance TO Mr.. Douglas Entering the
room gave him nervous chill, Mrs.
Douglas's pretty greeting threw him into
a fever, and her inviting him out TO the
refreshment room completed case of
palsy. Ignoring his trepidation she chat
ted away to him herself, paid no a,ten-
tion to his stammering refusals, and pour
cd out the tea into some miraculous little
cups Of eggshell Sevres. Grasping II o
fairy calyx in his fiDgers for a first ain.
the delicate bit of Sevres was crushed 10
pieces and the hot tea poured In a stream
over Mrs. Douglass silken train. With a
gay laugh the lady said, Glow brittle
they are just look at mine," and with a
mighty effort she broke another cup be
tween her fingers. Reassured, the consli.
tuent drew his breath and found himself
AT ease, while that incompatible hostes a
| talked to him, asked about his mother, his
wife and children, all OF whom she re-
membered so well and called by name.
That man went home 10 work for, vote
for and swear by Stephen A. Douglas,
and way back of his political convictions
lay the pieces Of those two broken tea
! cups.
Some ladies were discussing the incident
AT lunch party the other day, establish
ing Mrs. Douglass right TO fame and rout.
ing the mythical Mrs. senator Bingham,
ot whom the perverted story has lately
been told. Said one pretty woman; "I
wouldn't break my beet teacups far any
| constituent in nv husbands district. -
/ Out Of the group there was only one who
courageOusly said '1d break my whole
dinner set, If II would send my husband to
the nate and buy new ones when got
to Washington, she shrewdlY added.