Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-10-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, Sept. 9th.

Wecofc'eyGoU, Oept. A!W.
Almost every day since the presi-
dents return, his familiar equipage,
with the handsome seal browns, has
been seen on the streets. Sometimes
it is on the avenue, the only occupant
of the carriage being Mrs. Cleveland
in stylish black silk, and with the
seats covered with packages that |
plainly indicate that she has been in
in that feminine foible, shop |
ping. But generally the carriage |
may be seen whirllng in cloud of
dust towards the presidents country
home. Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland Wis
tied it on the morning after their re-
turn, and they have driven out there
several times since. 1t has been de-
cided, to their regret, that the man
sion will not be ready for occupancy
before next summer. The exterior
has not yet been completed, land with
in the work has progressed no farther
than mailing on the laths. A score
of workmen are busily engaged on it,
and a number more are laying out
the grounds. 1t will be charming
big bower when completed, surround
ed by trees and commanding a pictur-
esque view. The shape and style of
the house has been so changed that it
would be impossible for the former
owner to recognize it.
No one is allowed to approach the
house. The president has given or
ders to that effect, and sturdy
Waterman with mild looking dog is
stationed there to carry them out.
The entire farm is being enclosed by
barbed wire fence, seven and a
half feet high. This would indicate
that Mr.. Cleveland intends to keep
deer.
Every one is returning to Washing
ton now. The president has issued
an order that the regular cabinet
meeting shall be held as usual on
Tuesday, and he expects all the mem
bers of the cabinet, with the excep-
ton of Mr.. Manning, to be present.
And when the cabinet returns, socie-
ty will struggle back.
One of the most familiar faces on
the streets of Washington is that of
| Mr.. Bancroft, the noted historian.
Amid the drifting population, of
which the capital city is largely COM
| posed, he remains fixture; and his
strongly marked features, surround
ed by snow white hair, and his step,
firm in spite of his advanced age,
are well-known throughout the city.
Mr.. Bancroft has a granddaughter
Of whom he is very fond, charming
young lady who arrived from France
several years ago. During the first
months of her stay here she could
not understand English, land Mr.. Ban
croft delighted in being her interpre-
ter.
But now she speaks English very
easily, and has become quite a socie-
ty favorite. 1t is in connection with
her that one of the latest stories
about Mrs. Cleveland's tact and
graceful courtesy is related. Some
mendacious correspondents, in their
mania for news, invented the story
that the presidents wife and Miss
Bancroft were great cronies. In con-
sequence of this report, several per-
sons who did not know Miss Ban
croft's address, sent letters to her in
care of Mrs. Cleveland. The latter
forwarded them to the owner with q
note saying that she was sorry that
the rumor was only mistake, and
that she hoped 1t might prove s
prophecy. Miss Bancroft was very
much pleased, and there is every
prospect of their reported friendship
being verified.
1t is amusing to see the various
methods adopted by men in public
life here to get rid of the office seek.
ers with whom they are plagued.
One of the most original ideas is that
of Assistant Postmaster General Ste
venson, who has an ingenious way OF
politely making it uncomfortable fol-
the office hunters. He has on an av-
erage of about fifty callers day land
he can tell whether they want offices
or not at glance. II they belong to
the former class, he invites them tc
take particular chair near his desk
1t is luxurious chair, covered with
leather, with easy springs on all sides
1t might be supposed that the Wis
itor would stay longer in such chair
than in a hard one, but Mr.. Steven
son has theory that the average of.
flee hunter would feel far less a.
home in a really easy arm chair thar
on something hard and uncomforta
BILE, like what he has been accustom
ed to. This theory he has fully dem
onstrated to be correct, for when the
visitor SINKS into the chair he com
pletely loses his talking powers, ane
Mr.. Stevenson has little difficulty in
getting all the business from mar
and then dismissing him in a very