The Osceola times., 1883-10-13
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
something About the OficiaI and Social
Habits of the Ex-Presidcnt.

Habits of the Ex-Presidcnt.
Washington Post
When franklin Pierce was President
his intercourse with the citizens of
Washington was in striking contrast
with the Chinese wall ofetiquette erected
by later Administrations. He and Mrs.
Pierce visited intimately families whose
heads held the smaller clerkships in the
departments. No President ever had so
entirely the heart felt friendship of
Washingtonians. The deepest sympathy
was awakened for MIR. and Mrs, Pierce
on the formers arrival in Washington to
assume the Executive chair. The train
conveying them to the capital was wreck.
ed and their only child, Il splendid boy,
was killed. 1t was a terrible blow and
enshrouded his administrative life in
gloom. Mr.. Pierce always appeared in
black suit with black gloves and crane
around his silk hat. Such was the res
pect felt for him by citizens of all politi-
'a 'I'NhH, tiidt NIicH nc lDOh his even
ing promenade down Pennsylvania
avenue to the Capitol, which he genera
lily did in good weather, one could
stand at Fifteenth street and mark his
progress far down the street by uplifting
of hats by the citizens and business
men.
Another instance of how truly Pierce
lived in the hearts of Washingtonians
recall one Gay just before the expiration
of his term ofofiice. lie had been North
and was to return on the evening train.
Notices were distributed throughout the
city, requesting the citizens generally 10
meet the President at the Baltimore and
Ohio Depot with torches, and escort him
to the Executive Mansion. Fully 5000
citizens assembled with torchlights and
the Marine Band. The President arriy-
ed, and entering his carriage, the only
one present, the immense crowd groul,-
cd themselves around the vehicle and
marched up the Avenue amid the Wild ,
est enthusiasm. The Presidents speech
on reaching the Executive Mansion was
frequently chokcd by emotion, and he
finally broke down, his eyes suifused
with tears.
He always tra7clcd in steam railway
cars In 1885, ON the completion uf the /
Orange end Alexandra Railroad to Cul- |
pepper Court House, Virginia, Hon. John I.
). Barbour, then us now, President ofthe .
road invited II number Of Washington- .
ians to inspect the roads and partakc of
Il barbecue at Brandy Station. Presidcn.
Pierce, the Russian Minister Bodisco, .
and other distinguished officials were
present The Presidential party went to .
Alexandra by steamer. On reaching .
Alexandra the party found the train .
awaiting them with the baggage car fit .
ted up with table, on which were
cheese and crackers and drinkables.
The President was very ahablc. At
Brandy Station the cxcursionists took
seats under the fine old oaks, and the .
best anecdotes in every story -:cllel's re-
pertory were told The President ENJOYING
them hughly. The feast of barbecued .
meats and other sayory viands were af- .
tcrwards paced .n the table ample jus 4
ticc done them
Appropriate toasts were drunk, the .
President cntcrin, with spirit into all
that went on and preserving that dignity 4
which should mark the conduct of The 4
head of the American peoplc. On the .
return trip n gentleman with an enorm- .
ous beard, having INDUCED rather free
ly in the rosy" was compelled TO resort .
to the "balmy,' and he lay with his head .
against the back of the scat fast asleep
a blind boy got on at one of the stations .
and moving along the aisle OF the ear
his hand came in contract with the mans .
beard, which he took for a lap dog, and .
commenced 10 pat il and say pretty
puppy, pretty puppy" This attention
disturbed the sleeper, who gave a load
snort, when the boy jumped back and
exclaimed
"You w.uldn't bite blind boy, would
you?"
The President was greatly amused at
this occurrence, and the drowsy Washing
tonian was the butt of the company un-
I'll we reached this city. This little
sketch will show how truly republican
n democratic President was as contrast
cd with the aesthetic and monarchical
tendencies of later Administrations.