The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-11-22

many were at the house of the generator
Mrs Mckee has remained under her
fathers roof-at the ceremo2ies over the
Youngster, and among them was DR.. Scott,
the father of Mrs. Harrison. He is between
50 and 80 years old, and lives at Washing
ton.
The latest Ben amin is great child. Even
when his grandfather was not preslden-
tial candidate he was conspicuous about the
house; but after the nomination and the
delegations came to see the future Presi-
dent day by day, the baby boy got to be
more conspicuous than ever. He is quick
and bright and a good humored youngster
and likes company. Hundreds who went to
see the general last month and the months
before caught sight of this great baby. He
used to be asked by his grandmother to so
in and see people, and sometimes even
when not asked he would manage to crawl
into the room where his grandfather was
holding serious elaboration with republic
can bigwigS Then there would be fun, for
Mr.. Harrison would take the little Tippe-
canoe up on his shoulder or hold him in mis-
lap and initiate him into the arts of hand
shaking. 1t didn't make any difference to
his jolly temper how Solemnly important
the discussion was, young Tippecanoe
would bubble over with glee and let every
body know that he was on hand and they
had all better be happy and have good
time
Grandmother Harrison withdrew herself
from tho society of Indianapolis very
largely VIXEN her first grandson was born,
and when the campaign baby came she al
most resigned her membership in society.
These children get all their care from their
mother and grandmother. Mrs. Harrison
herself battles them each morning and plays
with them all through tbs day when there
HI,
her attention.
But Mrs. Harrison has not been a sacri-
ficing grandmother all her life, and she has
had time to develop one or two accomplish
ments besides that very good one of taking
care of interesting babies. Oae of these
accompl shments is music. She under
stands it thoroughly, and her daughter,
Mrs Mckee, has inherited her talents, and
at school and i'll Washington was quite
noted for her skill. The chief pleasure of
Mrs Harrison, though, next to the babies,
is painting. She has a natural taste, and
by study and practice has made herself al
most professionally accomplished in hand
ling the brush. She has given most of her
time to the decoration of china, and the
rooms of her house are filed with specimens
of her art About O year ago she studied
under the tutelage of teacher from the
royal pottery of Dresden, and each week
now, except during the summer months,
she gives two mornings to her lessons
Some of her designs are from flowers which
she has gathered herself Often she goes
out wi b sketch book, and often she takes
ferns and grasses aud blossoms and pres ses
them for future use. In her drawingroom
and library are pieces of her work which
good critics heve called as perfect as the
work of professional artists. Not quite as
much of hobby as the babies or the music
or the painting is Mrs. Harrisoa's liking
for needlework and embroidery. She is an
adept at each, and there's not piece Of
household linen IN the Harrison home that
doesn't bear her monogram worked with
her own fingers.
The Harrisons have had several homes.
The general never has been rich. In his
earlier years be did not make much head
way, and whatever his income he generally
lived up to its last dollar, and sonnet mes
was forced to go little beyond. Each of
the houses they have occupied has been I'M
pretentious, and the one now their home is
the first one of any size. 1t is on North
Delaware street, in one of the prettiest
parts of indianapolis, but intellectually it
is not as noteworthy as its neighbors In
fact, it is rather plain. But it is home
from cellar to attic, and all the rooms are
cheerful with the life of a home-loving
family. There is a big hall and big
drawIngroom ad joining. The furniture
is rich, but there aren't any stiff sets of
just so many chairs all in certain spots, as
you find in too many houses. Everything
is artistic and luxurious, but not gaudy and
formal. There are some things, of course,
that it would be hard to find in other
houses. These are the hundreds of curious
things that friends have sent the general
since he was nominated. One thing that
he has long had is a large portrait of his
grandfather President. Its frame is draped
with the stars and stripes, and the oldfash-
Toned face is almost the chief thing you see
after getting into the house.
The home used to be one of the centers of
the social world of Indianapolis. The son
Russell and the daughter Mary, when both
were unmarried, were in the habit of fire.
quently entertaining their friends, and
many were the reception and dance
that they gave. When Russell went to
Helena and his sister became Mrs. Mckee,
the Harrison hospitality was shown by
little dinner parties. Almost invariably
among the guests were the generals law
partners. These with few friends and their
wives-just enough to make the number
ten or twelve-had plain dinner of few
courses without wine, and passed the even
ing in conversation. When they had no
guests under their roof it was the custom
to devote the evening to reading in the
library. The nomination brought inter-
cabinet and the selection of republicans to
succeed about-to-be- bounced democrats will
interfere with the custom from now on.
Mrs. Harrison has always had many
callers, and since July has had almost more
than she ought to be asked to see But she
is diplomatic and gracious, and she
always managed to receive those who had
any right to meet her. Before this time she
was enthusiastic in her devotion to a read
ing class which met at various houses once
every two weeks in winter time. This
reading class is one of the features of Indi-
annapolis. 1t is called the Merrill Literary
Club, after Katherine Merrill, the leading
spirit of the organization.
In only one noticeable particular has the
new mistress of the white house had any
thing to do with New York, and that is in
the matter of dress. She does not overdress,
but syields TO the dictates of fashion with
out even endeavoring to become leader in
a small way. Some of her palmer gowns
are made in her own house. Her more
elaborate costumes are made in New York.
She first employed a New York modiste
when she was giving receptions as a sena-
tors wife, and since that time she has al
ways looked to New York for her dress for
formal occasions.