St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-08

for the public ear. My indignation has
been so great that | could hardly refrain
from rushing into print. Ihave held my
peace, however. up to this time, and would
continue TO do SO were it not for the fact
that at dinner party in New YORK,
only two weeks ago, no less a gentle
man than Chauncey NJ. Depew amused
the guests by repeating many of the
vide stories about the presidents con-
duet toward his wife. 1t is incredible
that man of Mr.. Depew's standing and
character should help give currency to
such vile stories, but this instance
shows the manner in which the Whole
scandal has been stirred up. l do not
believe Mr.. Depew would undertake
personally to youch for the stories
which he told at that dinner, but he told
them, and doubtless most OF those that
heard him have since been telling them
over to their friends. 0, it is shameful.
THAT wATTERsoN STORY.
'The only story told by MIR. Depew on
this occasion in which names were used
or any particulars given which one
could take hold Of was the old story
about Mr.. Watterson, of Kentucky. TAX
ing Mrs. Cleveland to the theater one
night, According to the story the pres
ident was angry because his wife went
to the theater, and on her return up
braided her, called her wicked
names. and finally slapped her
face. This Incredible story. was
told by Mr.. Depew as having
been started by Mr.. Watterson himself.
A gentleman who was at that dinner
party, and who knew Mr.. Watterson,
wrote him for the facts. Mr.. Watterson
replied that he had escorted Mrs. Cleve-
land to Albaugh's Opera house; that
the president himself did not go be-
cause he was so busy with his work,
and that on their return to the White
house the president had chatted and
laughed good naturedly, and courteously
thanked Mr.. Watterson for his kind
ness. Thus that story was disposed OF,
and if the people who tells these lies
would only give some names or partlcu-
lars one falsehood after another could
be taken up in the same manner and as
effectuallv disposed of. But when q
man like Mr.. Depew. who one would
think had too much principle to do such
a thing. becomes the means OF spread
ing such stories about the president OF
the United States think it time indeed
that some one competent tospeak comes
out in public and denOunceS every one
of these stories as utterly false and
baseleSs.
WHERE DID THE ISLANDERS ORIGINATE?
'.How the ISLANDERS ever started in the
first place do not pretend to KNOW"
continued Mrs. Whitney, "but we have
always understood that many of them
had their origin 'on the Hill.' l should
not wish to say that Mr.. ingalls, has
knowingly set in circulation a false
story, but he has been bitter and vim
dictive against the president.
'ro us who knew the president and
his wife well, and even intimately. who
know that whole romance Of their mar
rage and of their welded life. it is in
creditablc that any one should for a
moment believe he has been cruel to his
wife and has even been so much of a
brute as TO strike her. Mrs. Cleveland
has often talked to me Of her relations
to her husband before their marriage,
OF his tender WatchfulneSS over and
care for her, OF her respect and
childish affection for him, of her
looking forward with some hope
to what actually followed. To US who
know the facts there has always been
something sweet and pretty about it all
her years OF gayety in girlhood, her
experience abroad as a handsome and
winsome girl, but always thinking OF
him and finally coming back to him.
She did not marry him because he was
president of the United States, and
would doubtless have married him had
he not been a famous man, though, OF
course, it was only natural that his
high station had certain glamor and
attraction for her.
.'sPOONEY" IN THE OLD FASHION.
eve had an excellent opportunity to
Judge of the tenderness and sentiment
of their relations while they were with
us on our Southern trip. For a week
we lived together on the train. We
were all amused at their lOverlikenesS.
The president never passed her without
stopping to pat her on the head or to
put his hand under her chin and lift her
face toward his. She never passed him
without a loving touch. or a kiss. or a
good hug. We laughed little at them
and told them they were spooney IN the
good old fashion. Sometimes Mrs.
cleveland wOnid be sitting in one end
of the car reading book. Ii she
CHANGED to look up and see the presi-
dent alone she would throw down her
book and rush to him like girl and be-
gin to talk to and amuSe him. What
their relationship was then it now is.
There has never been any change, and
the happy course of their domestic life
has never been interrupted by an un-
| kind word. look or thought. speak
with the authority of one who knows.
why, at Oak View this summer
| their life was most charming. 1t was
| ideal, a model for all the millions of
good and happy homes in this country.
| We used to see them every day. Often
of an evening we ran over from our
home at Grasslands, which, You know,
| is close by Oak View, and found them
| sitting together. the president in his
hOuse-coat working at his table. for he
| is always at work, and she close by
| with her book, her dogs about her. OF
her embroidery in her lap. They made
such sweet and simple picture there
that wish all these scandal mongers
| could have looked in on them and been
rebuked with their own eyes.
at seems that if people would only
| use their reason,' Mrs. Whitney went
| on. s.they would see how absurd such
! stories. are. The president is much
! older than his wife. 1t is only natural
| that he should delight in her compan
! ionship and affection, that he should dc
all in his power to retain her love, thai
he should be fond of her and want hel
to be fond of him. Besides, he is gen
tleman. Since he has been il
| the White house he has never
spoken ain unkind. or rude word to any
| one. much less to the sweet CIR
he was so fortunate as to win. He is :
Presbyterian, and the blood OF a genera
ton OF Presbyterian ministers Is in hi
vein. That does not make rude men
nor cruel men. On her part she has de
lighted in making his work lighter b,
lions and in filling Just the place in hi:
life she ought to fill. She has beer
proud of him. of course. as wife shoult
be, and Mr.. Whitney has often remarked