Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-03
CURIOUS CHANCES.

early IN the AFTERNOON within tine GROUNDS.
Little or nothing in the appearance of the
mansion or Its surroundings Indicated to
the casual passer-by that the interesting
event was at hand. Tue still and murky
haze OF the early afternoon had now
wholly given place to clear skies and
warm southerly zephyrs, while yellow
slanting sunbeams filtered through the
foliage of the park and made flicker
ing pictures upon the Velvety turf
beneath. The great fountain did its
best 10 attract attention, spouting its
cooling spray to the verge Of its granite
basin, and Towering shrubs and ferns of
tropical green filled the marginal gaps in
the picture. The seats in the park across
the avenue We're occupied by lawn-clad
maidens, while half the young lovers in
town, moved by the common sympathy
which stirs the romantic susceptibilties
of 6O,0OO,0O0, took winding walks into the
line OF their evening promenade, and
speculated upon the emotions which are
supposed to fill the hearts of bride and
groom.
THOROUGHLY DEMOCRATIC.
On the asphalt walks near the porticO
of the White House the assemblage was
thoroughly democratic; and ragged ur.
chins and slipshod colOred girls jostled
natty-lo0king young gentlemen and ladies
IA oAAh dbbtAGs ut EhlGH WctG lGAt WiuC
open. and by 6 O'clock the crowd had
swollen to several hundred, and a score
or more of newspaper men held point
OF vantage alongside the portlco. Sue
cesslve arrivals of guests We're watched
with interest, and their names were Whis-
pered by the more knowing TO their COM
panions. Suddenly the strains Of the we'd
ding march floated through the open win
dows and there was general exclamation
from the outside crowd: "The service has
begun" Then there came a tantsllZiug
hush within the walls. which was soon
ended by the strains of the bridal chorus
from "Lohengrin," and it was thereby
known that the ceremony was over. One
by one lights sprung up at the windows.
and the great burners on the pOrtico cast
their efulgence over the asphalt. The
scene resembled a summer nights festi-
val, and the crowd gave itself up to the
enjoyment of the delightful music.
IN THE SUPPER ROOM.
There was no formal order observed in
the supper room, but the collation. was
served and the guests sat at small tables
or slowly promenaded the room as they
discussed the menu and chatted over the
event of the evening. Elegantly designed
souvenirs OF satin boxes, containing
dainty slices of bridal cake, and each one
bearing hand-painted monogram ''C-F.'
were received with great admiration.
While the orchestra was playing one
of its happiest selections, and the guests
were gathered about the tables, the bride
quietly slipped away to her room and
changed her wedding dress for a heavy
gray silk travelling dress. She then re-
turned to her company, and was soor
afterward Joined by the President, who
had in the meantime changed his dress
suit for travelling costume. This was
about $3.50 O'Clock, and the President and
his bride said hasty "go0d-bye" to theil
friends, and left the house through the
private exit from the red room into the
south ground.
A SHOWER OF RICE.
A closed carriage awaited them. and as
they entered and the horses started off a
shower of rice and several slippers
were thrown on the carriage and
their friends waved them a fna
''GOd speed" from the rear porch. 1t was
expected that the President would try tc
slip away unObserved, and in order tC
prevent it a number OF newspaper men
stationed themselves near the southwest
entrance TO the grounds with carriages
convenient to follow the President in case
he should make his exit by that gate.
This was reported to the President, 80 he
instructed his driver to go out of the
grounds by another and almost unused
route, and in that way he avoided the re-
pOrters altogether. His carriage was
driven direct to the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad station, where a special train
was in waiting to take the President and
his bride to Deer Park. Tney were es-
corted through the station and into the
car provided for them without attracting
attention, and at 9 O'Clock the train started
of to It's destination. The President and
his bride We're wholly unaccompanled on
this journey. They will probably re-
main at Deer Park about a week. during
which time they will occupy a small cot
tage attached to the hotel, which has not
yet opened for the season.
DEPARTURE OF THE GUESTS.
The guests began to leave the White
House sO0n after the Presidents depar-
ture. The first 10 leave was Secretary
Bayard, who smIlingIy stood on the por.
tico for some time before his carriage
drove up. The carriage tor DIR. and Mrs
Sunderland was the next to drive up and
was Immediately followed by that OF Sec.
retary and Mrs. Manning. The Sec rotary
did not look very well. He appeared
rather weak and seemed hardly able TO
walk. He was supported 10 his carriage
by Postmaster General Villas and
Mr. Bissell. The other guests fingered
awhile and the orchestra continued to
play enlivening music until nearly 10
O'Clock, by when time all the quests mad
taken their departure.
A crowd Of curious sightseers remained
near the mansion until preparations were
made TO close il for the night. The we'd
ding presents were many, but they were
not exhibited, nor will any list he fur
nished. This is in Difference 20 the wishes
of the President. The gr0om's gift 10 his
bride was "A handsome diamond ecklace
composed 0f single string Of brilliants.
The presents from the Cabinet officers
and their wives were mostly articles OF
jewelry, though there were several beau
tiful presents Of silyerware.
BELLS AND GUNS.
Just as the wedding ceremony began
the Presidential salute was fred by a
battery OF artillery near the river, and
the chime OF bells OF the Metropolitan
Methodist Episcopal church pealed forth
MendelssOhn's wedding march and the
bells in other churches joined in happy
salute.
Contrary 10 expectation the President
wore white gloves Mt his wedding.
The gentlemen present at tue wedding
were not fortunate enough ~ receive a
salute from the bride, who confined her
kisses 10 the ladies; otherwise the cere.
mony was orthodox IN form.
The Executive Mansion will be open
tomorrow and photographers have al
re edy received permission 20 perpetuate
pictorially the elaborate decorations Of
the interior.
The arrangements for the days event
pVnFn unnoF fha rnufral and paranun Al IA a "a.