The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-05

and in front of the house to see the outward
signs of the wedding and to cheer the couple on
their way. Yet instead of coming out the front
door, getting in behind four-in-hand, with
driver decorated with big wedding favor, and
well-wishes, the President of the United States
slipped out by the back door and raced his
horses through the rear gates and out to train
on side-track in a freight-yard. The bride was
landed at the White House in the same way in
the morning, being taken from side-track and
driven through the Smithsonian grounds and
around in that way to the same back door
by which she emerged in the evening.
No one had any ill intentions toward
the bridal pair. who for as long
as they live in the White House will be subject
of interest and scrutiny. After they leave that
mansion comparatively few will care when, how
or where they go, and they are free to roam UNI
molested While they in it something is
due to the dignity of the position, and lodging
and eluding are hardly worthy of a President of
the United States. The two carriages from the
White House dashed through the city streets at
o'clock like runaways, and a lot of small cabs
and coupes of energetic reporters went flying
after them. Peaceable citizens who fed from
crossings as for.their lives could not fathom the
situation, and the two carriages chased by the
cabs puzzle to them until this morning.
The wedding was constantly dwelt upon as
quiet and entatious-simplicity to be OBJ
served at all odds. Yet the apostle of democrat
ic simplicity had the White House decorated as
it never had been for princes or emperor's en-
tertainment Thousands upon thousands of
roses were used, and all the decorations were
most lavish A special caterer came down from
New York to serve supper to twenty six people,
and little white satin boxes at $l2 piece were
used to put pieces of wedding cake in, and this
bit of democratic simplicity alone cost about
So. 600. Nothing could have been more elaborate
IL he had wished to have grand wedding with
two thousand guests The President wanted
private wedding, quiet wedding Therefore
he had the White House closed for three days
and the most elaborate possible arrangements
made with florist and caterer, and Tiffany's men
working night and day. He wanted to be mar
ried quietly and privately as a common citi-
zen; therefore he took the White House
for its scene and commanded accessories and
privileges possible only to a President One
woman voiced the sentiment of certain wing of
society by saying: II hope none of these details
and none of that ceremony will get into foreign
newspapers. If so. every travelling American
will have to hear that in American it is the Gus
tom for the bride to go to the bridegroom and
for him to give the wedding. How inconsider
ate it was to make that poor girl travel down on
one night train, spend busy and exciting day,
and then fly off on another night train after the
wedding She had not time to open
fourth of her wedding presents, among
which were four diamond bracelets, a massive
solid silver set from Secretary and Mrs Man
ming, and many other costly things not known
of or told to any one"
On their return from the wedding tour there
will be two receptions at the White House, one
for the official world and one for the public
Miss Cleveland will remain until the bride has
passed these ordeals, and then, in about fort
night, 60 back to Holland Patent for the sum-