Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-05-18

THE PRESIDENT AND PARTY

I'ulhpo3 anu sttisueu curiosity now
vents itself in wild SMILES and COM
| PARSONS concerning the beast. Every
body went to see the elephant, preSi.
dent, chief justice, half tho cabinet,
most of the foreign ministers, senators
and representatives being ranged on
the elastic planks that surrounded the
great arena. 1t has always been the
fashionable thing in Washington to go
to the circus, and there is no paltry de-
vice of taking the children to see the
animals. Strangers, who do not know
of this long established rule, creep in
tlmidly and are astonished to find the
place as full of distinguished people as
any official drawing room. Barnum
looked to his own guests and kept Il
section of planking for the presidents
party in spite of the clamor o. 10000
people. The senators and representa-
tives from his own state were all pro-
vided for, and Senator Hawley, as a
special friend, introduced the old
Snowman to the potentates he had in
vited. The president was ushered to
the spry old fellow imm ediately hur-
ried in that direction. Five rows of
spectators separated the two celebri-
ties, but by dumb show and waves of
the hand Senator Hawley conveyed to
the president the fact that that was
Mr.. Barnum. Balancing himself on
plank the noble old humbugger bowed,
smiled, made eloquent gestures of well
come, and the president, from higher
perch, smiled, bowed, nodded and
waved his hand in return. me par
ty were all interested in the pro-
ceedings, watched the animals go
round the ring, and laughed at
the clown. 1t would be wholly i'm
possible for any one to maiDtain digni-
ty or stateliness in circus tent, for
sawdust is the greatest social leveler of
them all, and men whose names will
ring on the pages of American history,
ate peanuts, fed the baby elephant,
and applauded acrobat, clown and
bareback riders with boyish glee. One
thing Barn IN missed, that no other
was without, and that was the presence
of Gen. Sherman The brave old
soldier and certain members of the
Foreign Legation are indefatigable in
their attendance upon the tented lot,
and. on the whole, it would be easier
| to tell you who was not at the show
than to begin to enumerate the dis
tinguished people who were awe-struck
at the towering proportions OF Jumbo.
| The ladies were quite rs conspicous by
their presence, and raved over the frol-
,nonn,n l,ttla hnhv alanhanf
The beautiful weather of this week
has made outdoor enjoyments more
popular than ever, and the afternoon
receptions have been as large as during
the gayest part of the winter. Mrs.
Hunt was at home yesterday for the
last time, and the friends Of the ex-
Secretary's family rallied in lattering
numbers to pay their adieux. Rhode
Island avenue, near their residence,
was gay with the whirling by of so
many open carriages, and the last
sweet things in bonnets tripped up the
doorsteps during the afternoon hours.
Mrs. Hunt and her daughter were as
sisted by Mrs. Orlando Poe, and their
special talents were put up to the test
by the crowd of visitors. Spring toilets
made her parlor blossom like a parterre
with the exquisite colors and blending of
tints. Porcelain, or the dull soldier
blue, was triumphant over the rival
shades, and Countess Lewenhaupt,
wife of the Swedish minister, wore a
beautiful little blue cashmere costume,
and crowned herself with a bewitching
bonnet covered with blue plumes.
Every one, in the society phrase, was
there, and gentlemen were present IN
an astonishing number. Mrs. Hunt
has endeared herself in SO many ways
to the people here, and as natural So
ciety leader has established such a
supremacy, that with OF without official
position her home would always be an
attractive place. A stream of cal s's
poured in her doorway all afternoon,
and, marvellous as i. may appear
| doubt if there was one whom Mrs.
Hunt did not greet by name as they
entered. Her memory for names and
faces is something phenomenal, and
the only rival or approach to her talent
in this respect is the wife OF Senator
Logan. Such a gift is invaluable to
any one who goes much into society,
and to the wife Of a public man Its
power is inestimable. Being greeted
| by name is delicate compliment
more appreciated here than anywhere,
as even the most insignificant stranger
gets bewilderei by the number OF
celebrities they encounter, and the
names of hundreds and hundreds Of
visiting and temporary people whom
the officials meet would disconcert
Caesar him elf The other cabinet la.
dies who have been associated with
Mrs. Hunt freely admit her to be a
most remarkable woman, and marvel
at this social talent of hers which alone
wins her such popularity. The
pretty faces in her parlor wore look
of genuine regret as they took leave
of her, and shook their heads when
they went out at the prospect OF not
seeing her soon.
Minister and Mrs. Hunt will leave
nere the Goth of May and sail from
New York on the 30th of the same
month.