The Press., 1890-03-20
MRS. HARRISON,S DAILY LIFE.

The routine of the day begins early at the executive mansion, says A. J. Halford, Ill an interesting article on Mrs. Harri- sons Life in the White House," in the March Ladies' Home Journal. Break last is served promptly at half-past o'clock, in the family dining-room on the north side of the house, adjoining the con- servatory. This is followed by prayers, | either the president or Dr. Scott conduct ing devotions. The family then separate for tue day, the president proceeding di- rectly to his room. Mrs. Harrison and the ladies retire to the "living room" of | the house, which is not room at all. It | Is the north end of the main hall, on the public portion of the floor by a rather se- were, not to say, forbidding, black walnut partition, half the height of the walls. Mrs. Harrison finds here her mail, which is attended to with promptness and regu- | larity. So far as the work of answering letters can be delegated, it is given over to | Mrs. Sanger, the stenographer. But 8 large portion of her mail Mrs. Harrison answers herself. Many of the letters can | be answered by means of a form that has been composed for the purpose.
 The consideration of her mall over, Mrs. Harrison receives the superintendent of public buildings and grounds, at present | Col. Oswald M. Ernst, of the engineer corps, who is charged with the duty of disbursing the appropriation made for the maintenance of the executive mansion. With him Mrs. Harrison discusses the needs of the house and her desires, which must be made to conform to the amount of the fluids on hand. Many and long are these conferences, and oftentimes they re- ,ult Tn shifting about and repairing of the furniture and fixtures that would as- tonish some persons who imagine that the llte of the lady of the white house Is with out care, and a continual state of bliss. After having dismissed Colonel Ernst, she devotes herself to the domestic branch ,f the establishment in conference with the housekt eper The menu for the day s arranged during thls conferepca, and ill consultation with the steward Mrs. Hari- on maintains an intelligent supervision yer the kitchen; but the stories current lu some circles, representing her as de- voting much of her time to actual partici- patton Ill the work of the department, are exaggeratlons. Although a good cook, ,hr does not find it necessary or desirable Go usurp the functions of that individual III the white house. And so as to the marketing. Having arranged in general way for the provision of the day, it is left Co the proper person to see that 1t is pro- cured. Lunch is served at 130, but fre- 4nenty the president is detalued by call CTS, office seekers, or cabinet meetings, iud he does not slt down sometimes until all hour later. It is rarely the case that some one is not invited to join in this meal, Ill wholly informal manner-a cabinet ,'tficer with whom the president may thus continue conference, or some friend who IS asked to extend his stay over the hour for lunch.
 In the afternoon, for an hour or there- tbouss, Mrs. Harrison receives friends, who come by appointment, and who usu- ally have some relative or visitor to pre- sent. Later in the afternoon Mrs Harri-
 on usually takes drive, often with the president, and when not accompanying nlm she takes Mrs. Mckee and the babies, or some friend who may be in the house. The variations from this program will in clude lessons in china painting, in which 'rt Mrs. Harrison displays rare talent and skill
 Dinner is served at 30 o'clock, and as was the case at lunch almost always the family is joined by some friend. Presi- dent and Mrs. Harrison are plain flyers, preferring the dishes of an old Kentucky ''aunty" to the more elaborate menu ar- ranged by French chef.
 In the evenings "out of ''season," the white house is very quiet place. Presi- dent Harrison rarely has an opportunity of spending any time with his family, ex- cept at meals, and after dinner he Is usual ly to be found at his desk again. If Mrs. Harrison is free from any social duty, she utiizes the evening hours by reading. Being fond of good theatrical or operatic performance, she graces occasionally one of the theatres with her presence, accom- panied by two or three friends. The president has little taste for this class of amusement, especially opera, so is seldom seen al, these places. He is fond of meet. ing friends in quiet way, and when Mrs. , Harrison is entertaining callers in the evening, he comes down from his room whenever business permits him to do so, and mingles with them in delightfully."- informal way.