The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-22

To close the eyes is rs necessary 90 life as
to open them. To command the option of
shutting out the world, upon occasion, is as
precious privilege as TO mingle with 1t.
TO pine in dungeon is commonplace
punishment, but to exist, day after day
and year after year in the full glare of pub
licity, with the curtains of the windows
alwas drawn back, the door always un-
bolted and ajar, and the world with its
curious eyes. its shutting feet.sits ques-
tons and its comments, forever streaming
through--ths is a trial indeedl Nor is
the trial lightened by the fact that all is
done in the name of honor-that this sap
ping of your vitality is the highest COM
pliment that can be offered you. Rather
does that make the matter worse, for
against unjust and hostile oppression,
there always remains TO the victim the re-
lief of resentment and resistance; but TO
be bounded by honor, TO be suffocated with
Difference. TO be killed with kindness
there can be no defence against that: you
must smile and smile, and be a sacrifice.
Ny appointment at the White House
was at $50. There is little or no difficulty
about seeing the president" in the ordi-
nary way; but if you aspire to see him
ttutiNlsc tudu IN tue usual WtN-lp nave
him alone To yourself for half an hour or so
lit is another matter. Persons who had
been over the ground were. thought, in
clined to fancy that disappointment
might be in storcF for me. Mr.. Harrison,
they said, was strongly averse to talk
ing 10 outsiders, especially about himself.
he was overloaded with business, as a
matter of course. and each added straw
might be the one 10 break the camePs
back. | gave due weight TO these and
other objections: hut, on the other hand.
there were several points in my favor.
had no private axe 10 grind; was an APP
plieant for no office; | was not even desir-
ious of offering the president my advice.
Moreover. the information | wanted was
mainly in the abstract; what was his gen
eral attitude towards his work, and how
did it affect him. Few people who had
access 10 him were able TO look at him
quite dispassionately; they would be
either for him or against him. and
their report of him would be
eoloFed accordingly. But had
no prepossessiens IN the matter; the only
service Mr.. Harrison could render me was
TO LEI me see him and hear him talk. the
only service could do him was 70 give a
faithful Impression of my experience.
And IL struck me that it could do Presi-
uent Harrison no harm If an unbiased
thinner painted. for the benefit Of few
million spectators. more or less, as faith
ini portrait OF him as the limner's ability
anu opportunity allowed.
Nevertheless, / provided myself with
what credentials / could command. Mr..
GEORGE W. Chllds, of Philadelphia. was
active IN my behalf. and Mr.. John Wana-
maker and his private secretary Mr.. Cush-
ing. were more than courteous in THAR
support.
The porter at the door of the White
House said that the president was IN hnt
that he could receive no one hafo-a ~
O'Clock. On my replying that had an
appointment at $50 o'clock, however he
admitted me and directed me To the unner
hoor. The house was in process of being
got ready for the winter camnairu. the
carpets were mp and the furniture renar~
ally was IN state OF instruction Mrs
HARRISON, IS Is we'll known. is q house
Keeper of the model sort. and whom sha
entered the executive mansion she re
solved that she would leave il in hattar
condition than she found IL. Three III.
unct geologic strata Of dirt, mingled win
rats mice and cockroaches war, rernoxsS
nom the cellars. and the good work nro.
seeded upwards 10 the attics. $40 that to-
LAY tue White House is as immaculate
sNh'n as without: aud, whatever other
usngers may menace future aaminis,rs.
uohs, insalubrity of the domestic nre-
suets viii not be among them.
arrived at the head of the stairs and