Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-03-13
ARrHuR's oAll, LIFE.

lug 0e6K ana rev easy Chairs. Ihe
room 10 very small, and was originally
intended as q dressing room. being con.
nected with the chamber he occupies.
The presidents desk stands just before
the window where he can look across
Pennsyls ania avenue into Lafayette
park, aud the vista stretches up the
broad avenue. known as Sixteenth street,
to lderidan hill. On the desk are uauaily
many official papers, aud basket oi
flowers is always before him. At one
corner of the desk is slender
brass standard. from which
hangs like lamp screen large card,
with legend across tue top rea6liug
"lhe president's engagements" and
under it in large letters list Of the days
IN the week, with the engagements for
each dav noted carefully down. When
he makes an appointment he always
records it on this card, whether it ia a
dinner party or the reception of dele.
cation Of visitors. He is very punctil.
lious about keeping his engagements.
but has SO many that be fluids some sort
ot an arrangement like this absolutely
necessary. Before the Lent n season
0egau, tue president either diued out or
received guests Of his Owu every evening
He entertains more than any of his
predecessors ever did, aud accepts more
invitations. Before the coming Of
Arthur, the chief magistrate accepted
lnvitatlons only from the members OF his
cabinet aud the Justices of the supreme
court; but he hus added the senators to
this list for two reasons: First, because
ne enjoys society; aud second, because
be believes in democratic customs, aud
does not wish to be conslderet exclusive.
For two weeks before lent there was q
equatorial dinner party each evening,
and the president attended all of them,
except on tie days when he gave state
dinners or public receptions
himself. There is q pre-.
valllDg impression that Gen. Arthur is Q
0earty eater, but this is mistake. He
ls quite famous as an epicure. but has q
small appetite aud requires much less
TODD than other men OF his physique. He
~as speaking Of this to friend not long
ago, aud advanced the opinion that
ordinary men of small stature we're
Leartier eaters than those of larger
uuild, which proposition he proved
by citing illustrations among their mu
lual atquaintances. The presidents
way OF lite is simple and regular. aud in
this manner he has been able to sustain
he responsibilities that have been so
heavily resting upon him with comfort
and health, and without fatigue. He
enjoys life more than auy of bis
predecessors within recollection, and
suffers less perplexity thau other men
with ordinary cares. He never allows
anything to disturb him equipoise, and
when questions OF any annoying charact.
Of come to his decision, be considers
them with great deliberation, and never
reaches conclusion until he is thorough.
ly satisfied in his own mind as to the
oeat course to pe,sue. This delibsratlon
saves him great deal of anxiety. but is
often annoying to those interest.
ed in securing Q decision.
What complaints are made
ne always says: II am to be held re.
spensible for the consequences. and you
must give me time to reach a conclu-
sion." He never acts IN haste upon the
smallest matter and never gets ratified,
but weighs every reason and studies
every possible result. His slowness is
not iaziness, but caution.
Few men work more hours in the dsy
han the president. He rises about 9:3O
10 the morning, takes . cold bath,
shaves, drinks q cup Of coffee, eats an
egg or piece Of toast. and then goes
lnto the executive chamber to receive
congressional callers or other people
Who come to him on business.
By 1890 or one o'clock
this ordeal is oser, when he reads
his mail, dictates replies to letters that
require an immediate answer, aud dis
poses of whatever papers that may have
oten left with him by the callers of the
morning, referring them to this depart
ment or to that, as their contents may
require. Then, about two O'Clock, BIZ
takes bis luncheon with the family and
generally friend or two who may be In.
vited in. After luncheon, If he has made
appointments, he receives company in
the library and ii not he retires to the
little room iu the corner, where he lights
cigar. writes or dictates letters, reads
documents that require his attention and
performs the Official duties Of
the day. At five O'Clock a. saddle
horse is brought to the back
door OF the executive mansion and he
starts of. sometimes alone and some.
times with company, for long and rapid
ride. generally taking the deserted streets
west Of the white house through George
town into the country. On cold or dis.
agreeable days be prefers TO- walk or use
y carriage. While ont for this recres.
tiOn he does not permit official matters
70 be discussed BY whoever happens to
be with him, rs it is ths only time he has
sctuslly to himself. His little daughter
often goes with him on tbeee rides, aud
her chiidish prattls diverts his thoughts.
George Bancroft the historian, who, al-
though over eighty, is q rapid rider, is q |
frequent companion, but he goes alone y |
great deal. and then his horse under
stands that speed is expected. Return.
ing after an hours Jsnnt, he dines at |
seven and then gives up the evening to
sootal enjoyment, aud at eleven or twelve
pollock retires to bis little rom. where
be works twoo or three hours before re. !
firing. Most Of ths messages and other
tate papers have been written after
and light in the northwest
sindovs Of The white house
. often seen burning %
sc % three or four O'Clock IN the
AoeldaR. The ps0oj6ept oaye h neofla