Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-12
MRS. CLEVELAND AT CHURCH.
She Sets the President Good
Example.


The Washington correspondent OF the
Memphis Avalanche says that Mrs. Cleve-
land sets her husband some good examples
when she goes to church. Our readers
may remember that Mr.. Cleveland, as
seen at church, did not bow his head
when the prayer was offered; did not join
in the hymn or open the hymn book; tid-
geted through the sermon, and was evi-
IDENTIFY glad when 1t was over, and took
no particular part in the services, except
to drop a crisp new bill in the basket
when it came around.
Mrs. Cleveland does all these things diff
ferently. Like too many OF her sex, she
appears to have 10 attend to the praying
for the family. When she goes to church,
as soon as she enters the pew and takes
seat she drops her pretty head upon her
daintily gloved hand and devotes mo-
ment TO silent prayer. Then she settles
herself for quiet attention upon the SER
vice, nodding pleasantly to Mrs. Sunder-
land the wife OF the pastor, whose pew is
just alongside that OF the President.
She knows of course, that she is the
target of every eve in the church, and
though she tries TO conceal her embar-
rassment, she is not able TO do 30 entirely.
When the pastor gives out the hymn, she
IL glad to turn her attention TO the hymn
book and forget the uncomfortable feeling
which is the natural result of being stared
at. When the congregation rises she rises
also, following the hymn through from
beginning to end sometimes, though not
often Joining in the singing. When the
minister leads in prayer her head is
bowed, and it drops little lower when
he prays for "the Chief Magistrate Of the
nation" with a petition for "thOse that
are dear to HIM"
The announcementso OF the church meet
ings which follow the prayer are listened
10 with wOmanly interest; and when the
sermon begins, after the second hymn has
been sung, she is all attention. She does
not fidget about and lean up in the corner
and rest her head upon her hand
as Grover does, but sits straight
and quiet, listening to the sermon from
beginning TO end. or course she fans her
self constantly. for she would not be a
woman il she did not. She seems occa-
sionally TO remember that she is being
stared at, and bites her lips nerVously,
wiping them with her dainty bandker-
chief, which she holds in the same hand
which carries a jewelled smelling bottle,
a wedding gift from one Of the Cabinet
officers. When the basket goes around
she drops her contribution mOdestIy into
it,and when the closing hymn IL given out
finds not only the hymn, but the doXolOgy
corresponding in metre with 1t, and fol-
lows them closely TO the end.
When the services end, then comes the
most trying time for Mrs. Cleveland. All
eyes are upon her. OF course she has at-
tracted more attention than the preacher,
even during the sermon, but she only di-
ylded attention with him tnen; now, how
ever, she is the central and only figure OF
the moment. All eyes are upon ber as
she moves down the aisle, and every neck
Is craned TO get "a look at her face and
figure. She tries 10 appear unconcerned,
bows to the people near her whom she
knows. talks little TO those nearest her,
and is evidently relieved when the car
rage door bangs and she is hidden from
view OF the crowd that was gathered on
the sidewalks to see her pass from the
church door TO the carriage.
Throughout her conduct is full OF dig
nifty and gentle grace. She dresses for
church with excellent taste, but absolrte
plalnness, Usually dark gray or blsck,
II small pin at her throat, but nothing else
in the way of ornament, with q high
black straw hat tastetully but quietly
trimmed, and black gloves OF undressed
Kid.