Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-10-25

work in cottage of three rooms. The
steady gains in fame. practice and pc
cunlary rewards in two years found Mrs
Harrison presiding over "A large and more
pretcntious house. Here their second and
last child, Mary Scott Harrison, was born.
What a marvellous transition March,
1874. Mr.. ana Mrs Ben jamin Harrison, set
tied down at indianapolis to a life of toll
and possibilities March, 1889, President
aud Mrs. Benjamin Harrison at Washing
ton entered upon the administrative duties
and ceremonial and social enjoyments OF
supreme rank by the voice OF the people
During the intervening n'ripd of thirty.
five years the career Of .. ,pmin HArrl-
son had been one of v honors. aud
his estimable wife
Had Kept Pace with Him
In every sphere and gloritied uis domestic
and social surroundings by her gifts 90
mind, purity Of heart, amiability of man
ners and works Of benevolence.
In 1881 General Harrison entered On,
senate of the U".ted States, and Mrs
Ilarrison became member OF that distin-
Ruished circle, the wives Of the senators.
In her Washington residence of six years
Mrs. Harrison ext, nded her sphere of
usefulness. Her name was associated
with noble charities and church work
Tue Garfield hospital owes its success in
a large degree To hor active interest as one
Of it's first Il irectors
In appearance Mrs Harrison was type
Of matroniy beauty. In figure she showed
the generosity of nature ia well rounded
form and in mind natures equal benefl-
cence, expanded by training in the ac-
ouiiemeuts Of "A liberal education, drawn
from the broadest opportunities. A Law
ish growth of hair, sily,red with the
threads OF over half a century Of life and
floating IN curly waves over "A well a aped
head, ending in a graceful coil, her regu-
lar features and dark, expressive eyes
formed IA picture OF ripened womanhoud.
She had voice softened by the instincts
OF gentle nature and gift OF converse
tion which, while animated, was still
thoughtful
Concerntpg Her Children.
Both of Mrs. Ilurrison's children are
well and happily married. In 1855 ner son,
Russell, was united in wedlock to Miss
Mary Saunders daught r of one OF the
United States senators from Nebraska
The young couple removed to Helena,
Mon, where Mr. Harrison has large news
paper, stock raising and agricultural in
terests.
Miss Mary Harrison was wooed and won
by James RoDert Mckee, prominent
young merchant Of indianapolis. Two
children-B njamin Harrison Mckee aud
Mary Harrison McKee-have resulted
from this union. The former is perhaps
better known as "Baby Mckee"
Mrs Benjtm Harrison possessed great
tact, and ii is said that this admirable
Ill l.. Il.
election of her husband to the presidency
in 1888
At the White House.
Mrs Harrison's reign "a the mistress Of
the White House was an eminent salts
factory one In the matter of invitations
utter iigpartiality was always her rule
Political affiliations cut no figure. Mrs
Harrison northumberland her views
were cordially shared by the president
that.-the White House should be the
social center q. the official world. not
merely of the R"pu 1liGau sphere At
large dinners II WAS the custom to invite
as many Democratic officials ~ RepuDl-
cans The wives and daughters of Demo
cratic senators and representatives were
remembered in all cases where invite
tions to the blue room were extended. All
thought of party were invariably pat
aside, and no one set Of people fT~entree
to the White House to the exclusion OF
others.
Everyone was received with the same
unvarying welcome given To those who
came before and after. Private citizens
found there was room for them ~ well as
for politicians, olliceholiers and persons
OF rank. Indeed the hospitality Of the
executive mansion was extended To cv-
eryone, without regard To rank, wealth
or belief political or private.
Mrs. Harrison's personality was IN 10
sense obtrusive She had AN innate mod.
esty about proclaiming her personal ty
before strangers, which might well he
emulated by many people holding far less
exalted pos. tiOns before the world and in
society.
One Peculiar Development
of Mrs. HarrsOn's independence of char
acter was dislike To be copied after or
made to set fashion in dress or manners
in spite of herself. Ii she got an idea that
women were wearing their hair in "A certain
way or draping their skirts after "A certain
fashion just because she lid it, she would
get provoked aud change the style of her
hair or her skirts at once There were no
fashions set from the White House while
she was there.
Mrs Harrison was not fond of the fuss
and feathers of official life, but on the
other hand she never evaded the duties
imposed upon her by her husbands posi-
tion. She was an excellent cook, and even
while at the White House personally
supervised the domestic arrangements, go
ing to the length frequently of doing the
marketing herself. She also had imme-
diate charge of her grandchildren. the
McKees. Mrs Harrison was an excellent
musician and performed very prettily on
the piano. She also painted well on china
and porcelain, and many of her friends own
and cherish specimens of the handiwOrk
of Mrs. Harrison, the gentle. refined,
amisble. intelligent and sterling wom ln
who has gone To her final rewaid.
The Trouble over.
a..