The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-10
He Wanted a Boy to Perpetuate
His Name and Democracy.
Private Secretary Thurber Tickled Over
the Event-Mother and Baby Re-
ported to Be Doing Nicely.


seas to meet the congratulatory responses
of emperors and kings. The event was not
O complete surprise. as from time time
within the last few months rumors OF its
prospective occurrence. veiled as such
announcements always are, trickled like
condolences into the columns of the news
papers. Dr.. bryant. OF New York. the fam
lily ply sicisn of Mrs. Cleveland, returned
with Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland from Grav
Gables few days ago. and this fact gave
rise to renewed gossip concerning this i'm
portant event in the lives of the chief
executive and his wife. But the impress
sion that DIR. Bryant was here in attend
ance upon the President rather served to
at the executive mansion for the emergency
of to-day. Since her return from Gray
Gables Mrs. Cleveland has driven ont in
the White House carriage with the Presi-
dent every afternoon. usually going far
into the beautiful hills and glens which
surround the national capital Only yes
terday she drove ont to W o cd ley. the Pres
ident's country residence.
The baby was born at exactly high noon
inst as the ball on the flagstaff OF the State.
War and Navy buildings opposite the
White House dropped from tho top of the
staff. Although there had been an air of ex-
pectancy about the White House during the
morning, indicated By the fact that the
servants stood in groups exchanging whs-
pered condolences and by the noiseless tread
with which they glIded about the building.
there was nothing to signify that anything
Il he for
room adjoining the Cabinet chamber. on
the second floor. where the President re.
ceives his visitors. With the courage that
has always characterized Mr.. Cleveland In
times of great trial and anxiety. he ala
not betray TO the public men who called
upon him, approximately urging constitu-
ents for places. or coDferring with him
about the great fight in the Senate. or to
his subordinates who brought TO him mat
ters for his conside GRAFTON. the strain under
which he was la boring,
THE PRESIDENT WANTED AN HEIR.
From time to time during the morning
the President was quietly advised as to the
condition of affairs IN the sick room and
at exactly 12 o'clock DR.. Bryant sum.
moned him from the reception
leading to Mrs. Cleveland's bedch cham ber.
When the President hastily opened the
door he realized from the be aiming counte-
nance of DIR. Bryant that the crisis had
been safely passed. Without q word. but
with a suspicious moisture about the eyes,
ethe President and his family physician
warmly clasped hands.
''Sne is safei" inquired the President
hurredly.
E.
assuring pressure of the hand told him that
his wife was safe. and. without pausiDg.
.'ls 1t boy or girli"
Something like o shadow of disappoint-
ment swept across Mr.. Cleveland's face as
the phy scian told him that the new born
babe was q girl While he was talking with
Mr.. Bryant little Ruth was broughs into
the hallway by her nurse lnnooentiy. un:
aware of the trial which her father and
mother had Just passed through, she
lisping laughingly In the ear OF her nurse.
When she espled her father. with a shout
of delight she stretched forth her arms to
him. The President took her lovingly in
his en- brace. stroked her hair and kissed
her tenderly. saying, with note or trem-
ulous endearment In his tone. Ruth. my
dear. you have a little sister,"
Relieved of the load of anxiety which
had been bearing down so heavily upon
him during the morning. the President re-
turned TO bis desk, and with something
like exultation begen digging away
at the stack of documents and pa.
pers before him. He could not restrain
the joy which he felt. however. and after
working few moments. he walked into
the office of Private Secretary Thurber
and. with broad smile on his face, told
his faithful companion that the 9th day of
September would 20 down IN history.
Why" asked Mr. Thurber. smilingiy;
and then Mr. Cleveland confded the secret
of mis- Joy to him. They shook hands cor
A III ha offRlo
President. AT the same time. the President
advised him not to make the news publlc
until he should receive word
from the physician that all pos.
Cleveland went back to 'i bis desk
and few moments afterwards went down
stairs into the Blue Parlor to receive the
Japanese Prince. who had called to pay his
respects. Mr.. Cleveland did this as fhongh
nothing unusual had happened. About 2
o'clock he summoned Private Secretary
Thnrber aud told him that the news could
be given TO the press.
THURBER TICKLED.
At 2 o'clock q reporter called on Secre-
tary Thurber TO inquire if the Whispers
which had begun TO spread were true: but.
before he could ask the direct ouestiop
the private secretary anticipated his IN
quiry. and in a manner which plainly
showed how keenly he shared the joy Of
the President. said: "You can tell the
world that We have little girl baby heren
The news was bulletined at the telegraph
Office. the Capitol. the departments and
prominent hotels. and was almost the
sole theme of conversation during the re-
msinder of the afternoon. Eyerywhers
disappointmsnt was manifested that the
baby was not boy. Before 4 O'Clock
stream of messenger boys began
carrying congratnlatory kilograms 10 the
White House. but the President. with his
usual roticenos about making public mat
ters purely personal 10 his family and him.
self. promptly decided that none OF theso
messages should be given TO the press The
Marine Band concert, which Is given at the
grounds IN the rear OF the White House
every Saturday afternoon. was. ct the re-
quest OF Mr.. Cleveland. postponed. it being
feared. although Mrs. Cleveland is regard
ed as out of danger. that the excitement
might injnre her. The thousands of
people who went 90 the grounds
in. rh..r - - b