Telegram-herald., 1889-11-05

ilGStrat4On OF MIS- hafflSOns no N
life transpired on the Friday before
the Inauguration OF the President. IL
happened that in uperintendIng thu
preparations FOR ths reception OF guests
81 the White House, Mrs. Harrison dis
covered that the linen pertaining TO
the establishment OF the President was
not in a condition suitable 20 bear the
test Of the strain 20 be imposed upon il
by the festivity Immediately following
the Inauguration. Neither was the
sta- OF servants sufficiently large TO
enable Mrs Harrison 70 have the
necessary washing done on the premi-
ses aud in sime 20 meet the unusual do
mand. Is required just hve minutes
for Mrs. Harrison 70 make UP her mind
and a. the end OF that time shs wifs
AID daughter OF the President OF the
United States were scurrying around
Washington IN hunt for several
washsrwomen. The search con tinued
FOR an hour but was successful. and by
the following Monday there was not a
piece OF linen In the White House that
vas not spotless and had not been IN
spected by the keen eyes Of Mrs. Harrl-
son. 20 whom unclcanliness is an abomi-
nation and slovenliness a nlghtp arc.
Since the occasion mentioned there
has never been time during the reign
Of the lady from Indiana when ths linen
room OF the White House has not been
in such 4 conditio as would excite the
wsrmest admiration in the heatts of
women.
There Is another department In the
domestic arrangement OF the White
House that receives the merited COM
mendation of every feminine visitor.
~ is a perfectly appointed china closet.
Most OF the tableware at the White
House is excellensly we'll suited 70 its
use, but there are some later additions
representing Mrs. Harrison's private
property aud personal skill that would
grace any ducal palace in the effete
monarchies.
In cooking. pickling and preserving
Mrs. Harrison has an enviable reputa-
tion, but in china painting the present
mis- tress Of the White House ranks with
some Of the best Of modern profession
ais. Ever since she was a girl Mrs.
Harrison showed marked ability as an
artist and when she had exhibited her
work half dozen times at the Indiana
State fairs, Ler love for ceramics gener-
ally led her 70 com bine the latter with
her art and the result is that President
HarrisOns table and Mrs Harrison's
china clcSet contain some pieces OF such
exc 1isite workmanship that MANY have
credited them TO tie masters of the art
OF china painting By those ignorant that
the charming creations grew from the
busy brain and pretty hands OF Mrs.
Harrison herself. Some of the best
teachers OF the art o. china painting
instructed Mrs. Harrison in earlier
days and even before her marriage she
organized a class OF art students and
vas herself the most energetic and in
duStrious OF its men bers. IL would
seem that with the many | have mem
toned. Mrs. Harrison's list of accom-
plishments was full, but such is not the
case. As a seamstress she possesses re-
markable skill. Some time ago when
the Garfield Hospital Art Exhibition was
held here Mrs Garfield sent picture Of
a bunch Of pansies that was universally
admired. About the same time Mrs.
Harrison sent TO the Indiana State Fair
at indianapolis, some Honiton lace from
her own needle, that. IL is said. has sell
dom been equaled even BY professional
lace makers. Mrs. Mckee was instructed
by her mother in the same art and the
wardrObes OF both Baby Mckee and his
little sister bear testimony alike TO the
industry OF their mother ana her skill.
Mrs Harrison and Mrs. Mckee made
very nearly every piece OF clothing
possessed by Baby Mckee during tho
first eighteen months OF his existence
and since that young gentleman's ac-
cession 20 general favor and national
reputation, the prettiest costume that
be has worn was the result of patient
hours OF work on the part OF his mother
and grandmother.
IL into Ms HarrisOn's life there en-
ters any regret at the surroundings az her
domestic life il u probably because she
cannot keep chickens. or in the
event that She did. could not enjoy
their society or supervise their daily
existence v.h that regard FOR their
pell-beirg md ultimate utility tnat
vas 40 prom 0ont a trait in her life be-
fore she ente nd the White House. At
lndisnspols Mrs. Harrison had plenty
OF chickens and she enjoyed their pOs-
session. | doubt not she would be glad
- 90 back 90 them for A dsv or 80 and
forget the bic and worry attendant
upon the pantry keys of the Waite
House But among al her festhered
PETS a. Indianapolis there were two
that reiEned paramount among the sop
aTste periods ~ their existence They
we're both hens and they were both
ugly. as only old hens can be % a. save
their affection blinded mistress One
vas. in accord anre wish the most ap-
proved baruvsrd customs. named
Whitley and -he other Brownie '
Brew = vas lan1e snd veteran that
az a productive Investment bad turned