Huntsville gazette., 1892-10-29

with happy hearts and willing handa
they crossed the Threshold of life's du-
It's together
Their honeymoon was passed under
the paternal roof at North Bend, below
Cincinnati. The estate implnged upon
the boundary line of Indiana. In the
following March the young couple went
to Indianapolis. the wife to lay the foun-
dation and make a home, and the hus
band to build up career.
What marvellous transition! March,
1854 Mr.. and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison.
settled down at Indianapolis to life Of
toll and possibilities. March. 1899,
President and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison
at Washington entered upon the admin
istrative duties and ceremonial and
social enioyments of supreme rank by
the voice of the people. During the in
tervening period of thirty-fiye years the
career of Benjamin Harrison had been
one of growing honors, and his estimable
wife had kept pace with him in every
sphere and gloriied his domestic and
social surroundings by her gifts Of
mind purity of heart, amiablllty OF
manners and works of benevolence.
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 ma
lures equal benefcence, expanded by
training in the requirements of a liberal
education, drawn from the broadest
opportunities. A lavish growth of hair,
silyerel with the threads of over half a
century of life and floating III curly
waves over well shaped head, ending
in graceful coil, her regular features
and dark and expressive eyes formed a
picture Of ripened womanhood. She
had voice softened by the instincts Of
a gentle nature and gift of converse
ton which, while animated, was still
thoughtful.
Mrs. Benjamin Harrison possessed
great tact, and it is said that this admi
rable quality contributed not little tC
the election of her husband to the presi
dency in 1888.
Mrs. Harrisons reign as the mistress
of the White House was an eminently
satisfactory one In the matter of in
vitatiOns utter impartialitv was always
her rule Political affiliations cut nc
figure. Mrs. Harrison maintained-an
her views were cordially shared by the
the president-that the White House
should be the social center of the official
world, not merely of the Republican
sphere. AT large dinners it was the
custom to invite as many Democratic
officials as Republicans. The wives and
daughters Of Democratic senators and
representatives were remembered in all
cases where invitations to the Blue
room were extended. All thought Of
party were invariably put aside, and no
one set of people had entree to the White
House to the exclusion of others.
Every one was received with the same
unvarying welcome given to those who
came before and after. Private citizens
found there was room for them as well
as for politicians, Office holders and per-
sons of rank. Indeed the hospitality OF
the executive mansion was extended tC
every one without regard to rank, wealth
or belief, political OF private.
Mrs. Harrison was not fond of the
fuss and feathers of official life, but on
the other hand she never evaded the du-
ties imposed upon her by her husbands
position She was an excellent cook,
and even while at the White House per-
sonally supervised the domestic arrange
ments. going to the length frequently Of
doing the marketing herself. She also
had immediate charge Of her grand
children. the McKees Mrs Harrison
was an excellent musician and perform
ed 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 amiable,
intelligent and sterling woman who has
gone to her final reward.