The Washington critic., 1889-02-12
LIVE H1LFORD'S FAMILY.
President Elect Harrison's Secretary
Illustrating in n Florida Retreat.

III " AN't'the
At present the "IIoosicrs Nest is
entertaining some guests in whom the
whole country will feel an especial
interest for the next four years because
Of their being members of the White
House family in Washington. They
are the wife and daughter of Mr.. +. w.
Halford, private secretary of President
elect Harrison. Mrs. Halford and her
pretty daughter Jeanette are happily
and quietly spending the winter months
here, enjoying season of recreation
before entering upon the scenes of pub
life at the National Capital.
Your correspondent had pleasant
visit to HOLSTERS Nest this forenoon.
but instead of interviewing Mrs. Hal
ford the interviewer soon found him
self being interviewed, and thereby
acknowledges that the joke is on him.
The fact is, that Mrs. Halford spent last
winter here, seeking relief from a
bronchial trouble, and was so greatly
benefited and delighted that Mr. Hal
ford bought beautiful point of land
jutting out into Rock Lake, near the
Fletchers upon which they are going
to build winter home. Mrs. Halford
questions eagerly those who have ex
perience in growing flowers and fruits,
as she intends that nature and art shall
conspire to make her retreat on Breezy
Point "a thing of beauty" She is also
interested in building plans suitable for
Florida.
Mrs. Halford has bright black eyes
and dark brown hair, and appears
younger than would be expected of one
who is not in the enjoyment of full
health. She is the mother of a grown
daughter. She is very intelligent and
bright, quick at repartee, and converse
ton does not drag in her company.
Her manners are cordial and her dress
simple. This morning she was dressed
in sage green tea gown Of serge, with
terra-c Gotta plush trimming. The same
neat simplicity is observed in her daugh-
ter's dress.
From what Mrs. Halford says of her
husband the love of fashion is not u
family failing with them. She says
Mr.. Halford regards the conventionali-
ties of Washington society as one of the
trials that will attach to his position, he
being not very partial to swallowta
coats, and would prefer intellectual en-.
dowments as the distinguishing mark
between himself and the walters.
Mrs. Halford and daughter expect to
attend General Harrison's Inauguration.
but will return to their Orlando retreat
within week thereafter, as Mrs Hal
ford is improving so rapidly in flesh and
strength They are both very fond of
outdoor exercise, and in pleasant
weather spend much of their time in
driving, boating and walking Mrs,
Halford herself gathered and packed Il
crate of citrus fruits recently to send to
indianapolis friends, the variety includ-
ing lines lemons, citrons grape fruit,
Mandarin, Tangcrine and Florida
oranges.
Miss Jeanette enters enthusiastically
into her mother's plans for identifying
their lakeside home, where she can find
n recompcnsc for having to leave her
indianapolis companions by inviting
them to share with her the pleasures of
a friendly and joyous disposition, and
absorbs her full share Of all the fun
that is going on. Among the sports the
young ladies enjoy is bird shooting, and
Miss Eliza Fletcher has so far won
the championship by bringing down
thirty reed birds at one shot. Miss
Jeanette is Is years old, and fair
type of the robust Western girl. Her
cheeks are rosy with the flush of health
her eyes are deep blue, her hair brown,
and she is quite pretty, but her wonder
full voice is one of her principal attrac-
tons. Her mother takes great pride in
her daughters singing, as she inherited
the talent from her, she having once
been the possessor of one of the sweetest
voices in indianapolis.
Last Sabbath morning large congrc.
cation enjoyed treat in hearing Miss
Halford sing Ambroses arrangement of
Zone Sweetly Solemn Thought, " Her
voice has richness and depth, with II
bird-like melody. She accompanied
herself on the organ. One of the chief
charms of her singing is the entire alb
sence of "airshness" that mars the
effect of so much good vocal music.
During your correspondent visit the
subject of recent article in the New
York World came up, regarding
Elijah w. IIalford's courtship. "
yes" said Mrs Halford, "and it is
every bit true. But, she added, laugh
ing, II was not the girl, Orlando