The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1892-02-03
TWO EXPERIENCES At THE CAPITAL.

A You4g Wonan Who Came ~ p.y an
Extended Visit 10 an Entire Stranger.
we had some remarkable experiences
in Washington" said a lady whose hus-
band had, through two administrations.
held a high Office in the government.
"Insane claimants come to Washing
ton by the hundred with preposterorl>
demands of every kind. OF course III
the departments and in their houses the
president and his cabinet are guarded rs
far as may be from these intruders, but
they sometimes gain access to the peo-
pie they desire to see, and give a great
deal Of trouble.
Owing probably to my name having
been more or less in the newspapers. |
had not a little annoyance from these
people myself, and women as well as
men used to deluge me with the most
absurd applications. One very funny
incident, which, however, was most an
noying at the time, occurred after we
had been in Washington only a short
time. and before | had warned my serv-
ants against these eccentric gentry. We
had had a big dinner, and was alone
in the drawing about II o'clock,
Just after our guests had departed. |
heard a little hustle in the hall, but fan
cying that it was some one going away
did not disturb myself about it.
presently the door opened, and the
footman announced, Miss Clark And,
quite as If she were an expected guest,
in walked a very ladylike looking WON
an, who calmly informed me that she
had a claim against the treasury depart
ment for a million dollars. and that she
had come to stay with me until she had
arranged matters satisfactorily. Il have
brought my trunk she explained very
composedly, as | suppose | may have to
stop with you for some time And to
my CONSERVATION | found that the cab
man for she had arrived in a carriage)
had brought her box into the hall, and
that she had paid and dismissed him.
Her whole demeanOr was so quiet and
assured that the servant who opened the
door never dreamed but that she was
expected.
ITO nave Il crazy woman in your
house at midnight is not Il pleasant pO-
sition | assure you. | felt that she must
be humOred, and making ON excuse,
hastily sought my husband and ac-
Quainted him with the situation. For
~tunately DR.. -, our good neighbor,
lived within a few doors, and writing
him a line to ask his advice and assist
ance, we entertained our strange visitor
until he arrived with a carriage to take
the poor lady to a safe shelter for the
night. With great tact he persuaded
her to go with him, and she took leave
of US with many apologies for her short
stay and abrupt departure.
my next experience was more seri-
Gus. My daughter was to be married,
and on the afternoon before the wedding
| had gone up to my room for a little
rest when | was disturbed by one Of the
servants who informed me that a gen
tleman was down stairs who insisted
upon seeing Miss Mary (my daughter)
Or myself. He wouldn't give his mes
sage, ma'am, exclaimed the man, al
though | told him that you did not wish
to be disturbed. Snking that it might
be something of Importance, l went down
to the reception room, where | found a
tall, very good looking man, who in an
agitated manner told me that he had
long loved my Mary, had seen her mar
rage spoken Of in the papers and had
travelled night and day from his home in
the west to be in time to prevent the
sacrifice.
He insisted upon seeing my daughter
at once. He was so excited that | was
terribly frightened, but kept my pres
ence of mind, and contrived to ring for
the footman. Show this gentleman
out | said. and fairly flew upstairs
Some way or other they got rid of him,
but that evening he returned, and again
the next morning. OF course he was
not admitted. but | was made so thor
oughly nervous that my husband sent
for a couple of policemen in citizens
clothes, who remained with the wedding
party until the young couple were fairly
off on the train."-New York Tribune.