The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-24
A Western Senator Looks at Miss FOlsOm's
Picture and Decides that She Is Divinely
Beautiful and Superhumanly Smart.
An Offer of Free Liquid Refreshments
Meets a Very Liberal Patronage.
A Reporter from Virginia Who Manages to
Conceal His Wonderful Abilities as STEM
ographer-0ther Washington News.
CLEVELAND AND MISS FOLSOM

CLEVELAND AND MISS FOLSOM.
Indications that Wedding Is Near-The
Brides wondrc rs Beauty and Good Sense
Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, May 23.-It is settled beyond
doubt that the President is going to get married.
His wedding suit came this week from New
York tailor, and he has bought a country seat
Just north Of Georgetown, near Secretary Whit
ney's This makes him the third Presi-
dent of the United States to buy prop
erty in or near Washington. George
Washington bought small piece of property on
Capitol Hill. near the Baltimore g Ohio depot,
which is now the site of small hotel; John
Quincy Adams bought lot on street
across from the Ebbitt House, and
built four-story residence, which this
block The Philadelphia friends of General
Grant made him present of house on | street,
which he afterwards sold to General Sherman.
He never bought any property in Washington.
Mr.. Clevelands country seat is pretty place, on
the highest ground around Washington. From
it he will have view over the city and for miles
down the Potomac In the summer the scene is
one of wondrous beauty. The river is studded
with white sails, the Capitol dome looms up
the masses of foliage. and the monument CLEANS
white against the soft blue sky. Far away to
the west and north are the misty slopes Of the
Blue Ridge, and between lies the broad valley,
checkered with farms and woodland.
81 have just seen photograph of Miss Fol
som. 1t is an exact duplicate of the one which
the President keeps on his dressing-case. 1t is a
large one. about six inches by eight and do
not believe ever saw picture that so com
pletely captured me at first sight I fell dead in
love with it." This was the remark of level
headed Western Senator, to-day, to whom a
friend Of Miss Folsom had sent the picture
Miss Folsom sat for the picture in her gradual
ing dress. The background is black, and throws
her figure and face into fine relief It is the
picture of wondrously pretty girl The eyes
are large and melting, and the features are soft
compromise between the fashionable decollete
style that prevails in Washington and the severe,
high-necked mode of the country boarding
school The bosom is cut in a low point and
filed in with a profuse pleating of illusion.
The hair is dressed in the prevailing fluffy aban
don, which sets off the pretty face pleasantly.
off I am any judge of faces" said the old Sen
ator, ''that girl has unusual fund of common
sense. is thoroughly good -natured primevally
simple and pure, and will make record as mis-
tress of the White House that will set her head
and shoulders above any other woman who has
been there since the days of Mrs. James K. Polk.
You will hear nothing while she Is in the White
House of Goldfish and crackers and the wine
question will be managed by graceful COM
promise which will leave nobody any cause of
complaint. Moreover, do not believe that she
is woman that can be wheedled or coerced into
having opinions on public questions in a way to
cause the President any embarrassment I
have been somewhat surprised at Miss Cleve
!.aand's conservatism. knowing her to be woman
of strong convictions Isupposed that she would
interfere more or less in the Presidents policy
upon matters of legislation. Happily for both,
she has, in more cases than one, declined to yield
to the persuasions of women to present their de-
sres to the President The traditional elegance
of Mrs. James K. Polk has been a model ever
since her day to which none of the ladies of the
White House have. in my judgment attained;
but IL seems to me Miss Folsom will come very
near that standard Mrs. Polk was a wondrous-
ly beautiful woman and thorough diplomatic
Even now, in her old age, and she has her three
score and ten, she is woman of remarkable dig
nifty and preservation-a belle. She keeps thor
oughly posted upon every question of interest in
this country and in Europe, and you will never
find her not thoroughly prepared to discuss any
thing. From what have learned of Miss Fol
som, and from my enjoyment of her counterfeit
presentment, firmly believe that she will be as
notable in the annals of our social history"