The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1892-10-26

come president.
There WAS a student at Oxford at this
time OF the name of BENJAMIN Harrison.
He had passed from Farmers college into /
the Miami university, and graduated at /
the age Of Is years. The young stu
dent, in the midst OF his pursuit Of /
learning, found himself overtaken BY love.
The daughter of the worthy man Of erudi- I
ton was the object or his affection. John |
Scott Harrison lie father OF the student, |
was too warm b arted and liberal to lay |
by much OF eartii's stores, or even to take |
selfish care OF what he received by In
keritance. The patrimonial estate had |
diminished in acres and the family ex-
ehequer in casn under his management,
whica left Benjamin to make his own way,
with good education as his capital and
tue world as uis field for investment. It
was II tryi1g situatson into which to be
driven By ifapiAabie fate, to sever the
teuder tics u l.ica iael1 linn at Oxford Tor
the unemosionai experiences OF a Student
at law in the firm Of Bellamy Stover and
Abram GSynn, OF Cincinnati. The very
vored of much law and learning He I'm
ished his toilsome Journey up the rugged
highway OF Jurisprudence, and the First
"
man, weaded ltiS way back to Oxford.
On Oct D., .S53, lie there made Miss
Carrie Scott his bride. The prospects In
lie for tie couple re not bright, as the
world goes. lut the young people were
full OF hope. Their united fortunes in
love made them conteatcd, and with
happy hearts aud willing hands they
crossed the threshold OF iiir's duties TO-
gether.
Their honeymoon was passed under the
patcrGal roof 1T North Lend, bsioy Gin
cinnati. The estate irnpinged upon the
boundary li.e q. Indiana. In the follow
ing March the Young couple went 70 In
dianapoiis. the wife TO lay the foundation
and make home, and the husband to
build up a career In addition to the
care bestowed upon her education. the
young wiIe -as trained in household
duties. The Oxford seminery boarding
house, which accommodated about thirty
young ladies, WAS managed by Mrs. Scott,
who was assisted by her daughter Carrie
Scott in those days was bright, vivacious,
witty girl, very pretty, with speaking
eyes and good figure. She was greatly ad-
mired by the students, but no one could
stand in the way OF Ben, /" rs she always
affectionatcly called him.
The cash .asl al the command OF Ben
jam,n Ha 4 n when he began married
| life and tn- sacsice of his profession was
$50. an sdyeuce on lot in Cincinnati in
herited through an aunt. Mr., and Mrs
| Harrison began their domestic responsi-
bilities in rooms In an Indianapolis board
| ing house. In summer Of 1S5&Mrs Harri-
SON Paid visit to her pared mt the old
home ut Oxford, and there, On Aug. 70,
III fHass.
4 born. After this event in the family circle.
the young mother having returned in the
autunln to Indianapolis, the proud h,is.
i band rented d small house and began life
| In earnest, bis faithful ald industrious
| wife doing her own housework in a cottage
i or three rooms. The Steady gain in fame,
| patience and peeuniary rewards in two
4 years found Mrt. Harrison presidiag over
larger aud GoTe pfetenfious house. Here
their second and last child, Mary Scott
! Harrison, was born.
What a marvellous transition! March,
1854, MIR. apd Mrs Benjamin Harrison
| settled down at Indianapolis to a life of
toll and possibilities. March, 1880 Presi-
dent and Mrs. Benjamin Haeri.un at
Washington entered upon the dministra-
| tive duties and ceremonials ana social en-
joFments OF supreme rank by the voice of
the people. During the intervening period
| OF thirty-fve years the career OF Ben jamin
Harrison has oeen one OF growing honors,
and his estimable wife has kept lace with
him in every sphere and gio-ifed his
domestic and social surroundings by her
gift of mind, purity Of heart, Availability
OF manners a1d works OF benevolence.
i In 1851 General Harrison entered the
senate Of the United States, and Mrs Har-
| rlson became member of that distin-
guished circle, the wives of the senator's.
IN her Washington residence of six wears
Mrs Harrison extended her sphere of use
fulness. Her name wns associated with
noble charities and church work The
Garfield hospital owes it's success in q
large degree TO her active interest as one
Of it's first directors.
In appearance Mrs. Harrison was a type
of matronly beauty. In figure she showed
the generosity OF nature in well rounded
form and in mind natures equal benef-
cence, expanded by training In the acquire.
ments OF liberal education, drawn from
the broadest opportunities. She had a
voice softened by the instincts of gentle
nature and a gift Of conversation which,
while animated, was still thoughtful
! Mrs. Harrison's reign as the mistress of
the White House was an eminently salts
factory one. In the matter of invitations
utter impartiality was always her rule.
Political affiliations cut no figure. Mrs.
Harrison maintained land her views were
cordially shared by the president that the
White House should be the social center
Of the official world. not merely OF the
Republican sphere.
Every one was received with the same
unyarying welcome given to those who
came before and after. Private citizens
found there was room for them as well as
for politicians, ofiicehoIders and persona
! ofrank. Indeed the hospitality of the ex-
ecutive mansion was extended to every
one without regard to rank, wealth or be-
lief, political or private.
i In coming to the White House the ex-
! perience Of Mrs. Harrison AS q senator's
wife was valuable. she knew what was
expected OF It's occupants In the soci Al di-