Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-02-20
MRS. HARRISON'S DAILY LIFE.
HOW THE PRESIDENTS WIFE
SPENDS HER TINE IN THE
WHITE HOUSE.

Inc routine OF the day begins
early at the Executive Mansion,
says a. ]. HalfOrl, in an Interest
ing article on "Afrs. HarriSOn's Life
In rheWhite House, F." ia the March
LADIES' Home Journal. Breakfast
is served promptly at half-past S
O'Clock, in the family dining room
on the north side Of the House, ad-
Joining the conservatory. This is
followed by prayers, either the Pre-
sident or DR.. Scott conducting devo-
tons. The family then separate for
the day; the President proceed
ing directly to his room.
Mrs. Harrison and the ladies re-
tire to the 'living rOom'' Of the
house, which is not a room at all. 1t
Is the north end Of the main hall, on
the second fieor, separated from the
Office or public portion Of the floor
by rather severe, not to say forbid.
cling, black walnut Partition, half
the height OF the walls. Mrs. Har-
rison finds here her mail, which is
attended TO with promptness and
regularity. So far rs the work Of
answering letters can be delegated.
It Is given over TO Mrs. Sanger. the
stenographer. But a large portion
OF her mail Mrs. Harrison answers
herself Many Of the letters can be
answered by means Of n form that
has been composed for the purpose.
The consideration of her mail
over, Mrs. Harrison receives the
superintendent of public build
ings and grounds, ut present Col.
Oswald NJ. Ernst CT the Engineer
Corps, whe is charged with the duty
OF disbursing the appropriation made
iOr the maintenance OF the Execu-
tive Mansion. With him Mrs. Har-
risoH discusses the needs of the house
and her desires, which must be
made TO conform to the amount of
the funds on hand. Many and long
are these conferences. aud often
times they result in a shifting about
and repairing Of the furniture and
fixtures that would astonish some
persons who imagine that the life of |
the lady Of the White House is with
out care and a continual state Of
bliss.
After having dismissed Col. Ernst.
she devotes herself to the domestic
branch Of the establishment in con-
ference with the housekeeDer. The
menu for the day is arranged at this
and in consultation with
the steward Mrs. Harrison main
talns an intelligent supervision over
the kitchen; but the stories current
IN some circles, representing her as
ievoting much of her time 10 actual
in the work Of the de-
partment, are exaggerations. AL
though a good cook, she does not
ind 1t necessary or desirable TO usurp
he functions of that Individual in
he White House. And so as
% the marketing. Having ar
'anged in a general way for
ne provision Of the day, il is LEFT
o the proper person to see that IL is
procured. Lunch is served mt I:31.
nut frequently the President is de.
aimed by callers, ofiice-seekers. or ,
aOlnet meetings, and he does not ,
IL down sometimes until an hour
lter. 1t is rarely the case that some I
ne is not invited to Join in this ,
neal, in a wholly informal manner d
cabinet officer with whom the Pres a
lent may thus continue conference. j
some friend who is asked 10 ex-
.nd his stay over the hour fo- =
inch. ~ 1
In the afternoon, for an hour or h
lereabouts, Mrs. Harrison receives v
lends, who come by appointment. r
nj who usually have some relative C
! visitor 10 present. Later in the "
Iiternoon Mrs. Harrison usually
Res drive, often with the Presi- d
ent, and when not accompanying /
I'm she takes Mrs. Mckee and the u
ibies, or some friend who might be .,
the house. The variations from n,
lis programme will include lessons &
china painting, in which art Mrs. e-
ill. any ii
Dinner is served at $50 O'Clock. g
ID as was the case at lunch, almost ~
ways the family is joined by some ,n
end. President and Mrs. Harri- =.
n are plain livers, preferring the m
siles oil old Kentucky 'saunty,' 10 Nv
e more elaborate menu arranged be
a French chef.
In the evenings out of the sssea- liz
D" the White House is a very on
let place. President Harrison III
rely has an opportunity Of SPEND m
any time with his f.inily, ex- sp
pit at meals, and after dinner he he
usually TO be FOUND at his desk NJ
ain. III Mrs. Harrison is free from IN IN
y social duty, she utilities the NJ;
ening hours by reading. Being on
d OF good theatrical or operatie tor
Torrance, she occasionally graces =
oil the theatres with her pres sto
e, accompanied by two or three cor
,nds. The President has little Bo
'e for this class Of amusement "
eciaIly opera, so is seldom seen at tain
Sc places, He is fond ofmeeting poe
nds in n quiet way. and When in
J. Harrison is entertaining callers spe
he evening. he comes down from my
room whenever business permits .oi
10 DO 50: and mipgles with them ana reI
delightful informal way. wer