The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-16
WIVES OF THE CANDIDATES
A Lady Correspondent Calls on Mrs. Ben
Harrison and Mrs. L. ?. Morton,
And Learns that the Former Can Make Fine
Bread and Belongs TO Literary Clubs, and
that the Latter Prefers Plain Gowns.


In his!time sleeping and swapping at bothersome
flies. There is nothing remarkable about the
house; in fact. 1t is the most unpretentious of
any along this way. for North Delaware Is
beautiful street Of artistic buildings.
grassy track and rows Of trees divide the street,
smooth and clean, from the sidewalk. The
houses are all set back some distance. and the
lawns are smooth or broken by flower beds.
Tennis grounds and swinging hsmmocks show
that pleasure and ease are both given some
thought.
had waited several days for Mrs. Harrison's
return from Bay, and it was with some
trepidation l called the next morning, fearing
she would be too weary to see any visitors. How
ever, there was no hesitancy about admitting
me, no mysterious running about as if they had
something to hide. The woman showed me into
the parlor. and returned almost Immediately to
say that Mrs Harrison would be down in few
moments.
Mamie heard a clear, musical voice call,
come, take the baby; want to 60 down stairs"
Yes, mamma and slender, girlisn figure.
In neat morninR-gown, ran lightly past the
door upstairs. heard the soft rustic of skirts,
and then o little lady with large brown eyes and
grayish hair stood before me. al am Mrs. Har
rison. she announced, and held out her hand
Il
nature Of my visit
81 think it is rather embarrassing to ask one
to talk OF themselves" she said with smile.
You would get better story, either favorably
or otherwise, by going to some one who knows
me; yet II can give you anything that will help
you | shall DO most happy"
II was afraid that you might be too tired
from your trip to see visitors this morning."
II am not in the least tired she asserted,
with . bright smile 1T was a trip for rest and
n /
proud that have q great deal Of vitality. am
never III, and since the nomination l have not
had an hour. can cay, TO rest. little baby
girl has come TO my daughter since then. and 1
have had the entire care of them both and OF my
grandson, enjamin, added TO my other duties.
With II all am well and happy. i have always
taught myself not TO fuss and worry; that it only
increases discomfort and never deducts from it,
so think that the secret OF my perfect health"
with all these duties il must be necessary
TO have housekeeper," / suggested.
mo, indeed" she laughed merrily. That's
what never had. When / was girl my dear
Old mother made me learn to work. II used TO
make me angry, Il will never do ths when l
am married, would assert petulantly. Very
well, mother would answer quietly, the knowl-
edge Will be no trouble If you don't and il you
are over compelled TO. il will be invaluable So
was taught everything and became quite an
expert. especially as a baker. My bread was
beautiful. / don't know how nice IL would be
now. for IL lie years since have made any. My
knowledge has served me well in making me a
skillful housekeeper. l have always attended to
my own household matters and think il q great
pleasure. often get up at 6 o'clock in order 10
90 to market l always take Benjamin, my
grandson, with me, because the early morning
ride does him good Do my own msrketingl
Why, certainly. always; how else could expect
TO have things to please mef
will you tell me Of your girlhood daysl'
Yes, they were my happy ones" she said,
fseline.y. Il was born in Oxford, .. My
rpff rnfth .a
Miami University at the time of my birth, and
was afterward president OF the female college
10 the same town, which position he held at the
time OF my marriage. received my education
at the seminary there, and was happy girl.
We village girls were very simple in our wants
then We had driving and seighing parties,
but we did not dance. It was considered great
ain there, but we manged to have just az much
fun without We would put newly
starched calico dresses and sunbonpets, and we
were gApd and content. Isn't IL wonderful
how the ives OF girls have changed Imagine
any girl during her graduating year wearing a
sunbonnet, yet we all did so, and we were proud
of them when newly Numbered
Where did you meet General Harrsonf
AT Oxford. de was a student nj the aniver-
sity aud at the seminary. We were friends
and we were graduated the same year. When
be was twenty years old and almost that We
were married. So started in life young and
we have never been sorry"
Are your parents livineT
NV fatner VINO Will oy eighty nine years old
in January, is living in Washington with my
widowed sister. Mrs. Russell Lord. Ihave also
o brother living
What family have your
Il have son in Montana. He is married to
the daughter of Senator Saunders the old war
Governor. My son has cattle ranch and is
somewhat OF journalist. He has one child,
Martisser. n little daughter. l have a daugh-
ter. Mrs. Mary we call her Mamie-McKee.
She lives here with u, and her husband is q
m in hnnf and ohnah o,,o ;,@ h,
They were married when Mr.. Harrison was in
Washington, so we had them take charge of the
house for u.s. and since our return they have
lived with rs. My daughter has two children.
Benjamin Harrison Mckee, eighteen years old,
who is the ninth Benjamin Harrison directly
down, and the baby Mary Lodge Mckee, who is
fairy
What 10 your regular routine of the day."
1T does not differ from any ones" she said.
Il get up at 6, do my marketing, breakfast at
E3O, battle and dress the babies and have
romp with Benz amin lunch at l and have din
ne. a. .. Except In the summer months de-
vote two mornings weekly to painting lessons,
and one morning 20 a literature class, of which
am member. By the way, this is very
literary city. We have three literary classes as
well as literary clubs; and we have a woman's
club, which is most entertaining and instruct
i've. Besides the Woman's Club we have the
tortniRhtly Club and the Merrill Literary Club,
named IN honor of our teacher, Miss Katharine
MerrilI, remarkably gifted woman. Our sue
cess is due to her teaching"
10 addition to all this Mrs. Harrison is quite
musician. understanding music thoroughly and
being very fond of it. And now have not told
you what she looks like but her face is already
familiar to the reading public there is not much TO
tell. Suppose describe her as she looked the
morning called on her. She is small, probably
not more than five feet two. aud has plump
figure. Her hands and feet are baby like in
size, and her little dimpled fingers display
n oRfr thpAa 1fs~
plain gray cloth skirt aud plated jacket belted
at the waist. Her sleeves were tight and plain.
showing the outlines of a finely nodded arm,
and enameled gold bracelets ciasped the fair
wrists. Her eyes are large aud soft brown,
and her hair contrasts beautifully, being gray.
her month is the right size for beauty. She
wears soft. fluffy bang and her hair coiled low
on her neck. Her pictures do not do her JUS
tice as they cannot show how her face lights up,
bow the sonl comes into her eyes and how the
expression foretells every thought. She is
brilliant conversationslist, and indeed most
cultivated as we'll as beautiful woman.
Mrs Harrison is devoted to the babies in her
household. Little Benjamin is her treasure.
She pets everything that comes her way. from
her husband down to Dash, the collie, which
lies swapping flies in the sunshine. She carries
sugar and apples in her pocket for her horse.
IL rubs its nose gratefully and affectonately
against her shoulder and begs for more as well
as gives thanks for that received. She did own
mocklng bird that followed her about the
house and percbed on her shoulder when she sat
Gown, and the neigh bors do say it could almost
talk, and that the understanding was perfect be-
tween them 1t died not long since, SO it is not