The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-10-11
MRS. LUCY WILLIAMS HALVES.


England afforded in those days-an edu-
cation that did not cease when she
closed the doors of the young ladies'
seminary behind her.
AS one sits in her drawing room. a
crack Of a whipl and a tallyho bowls
past bearing "A burden OF beauty and
fashion for Tuxedo festivities. Then
perhaps Mrs. Halves will tell about that
ball in the town hall at New Bedford
when she was a bud, fun sixty years
ago.
In those days there were no discus
sions about decollete corsages, but all
dresses were made with low necks and
short sleeves. with very long white kid
gloves, and feet daintily shod in silken
hose. with frai slippers of satin and
the hair dressed high, with a ''feronier"
GROWING the forehead. The beaux were
Respondent in coats Of blue brOadclOth
with bright buttons, and light colored
trousers made very tight and strapped
under the slippers, which were orna-
mented with fine buckles. while ruffied
Shirts high neckclOths and hair curled
at the BARRIERS completed the toilet
II Is interesting to listen 10 Mrs.
Hawes's description of her visit 10 the
executive mansion when Mrs Fillmore
figured as the first lady Of the land. She
says the F1llmoreS found the white
house i'm a miserable condition, with no
suggestion Of home but after the pres
ident's wife had the carpet in the best
living room taken up and cleaned. sent
TO Buffalo for her piano and harp. she
lcssened the dimensions OF the spacious
apartment with screens. and by many
feminine devices succeeded in creating
a degree Of cOZiness that was grateful.
The old black cook. who could prepare
a state dinner for thirty-fiVe people in a
huge fireplace filled with hooks and
cranes, had the system OF his kitchen en-
tirely disOrdered by the introduction OF
FL
was obliged to make a journey TO the
patent Office 10 inspect the model and
demonstrate the mOdus operandi of the
disturbing innovation.
One day Mrs. Fillmore expressed her
desire TO see the Aztec children and in
response to her request they were sum-
moned TO the white house When th6T
took their leave the presidents wife be-
slowed upon each a bright new gold
dollar. and Mr.. Barnum, who was eX-
hibiting them caused the papers Of the
following day to state that Mrs. Fill
more had presented them with neck
laces of enormous value. To a social
festivity that winter came Nine. BodiscO
in a gown Of corn colored brocade, with
the black bugles of her bertha so fine
they appeared like lace. and a wreath
Of wild roses surrounding her brow:
Mrs. Riggs. with her coronet Of auburn
hair; Miss Cults. who married stephen
A. Douglas and a host Of matrons IN
MORE antique and brocade. caps Of blond
with marabout plumes and flowers. high
waists with vest and flowing under
sleeves Of ricn embroidery or lace. Mrs.
Fillmore wore a costume OF red velvet,
a IA brio rarely seen in those DAYS, and
her daughter Abigail blue silk and white
lace. festooned with water lilies.
Mrs Hawes's birthday occurs on the
same day as but three years later than,
that of Oliver Wendell Holmes, and she
relates that more than a half century
ago she danced with the autocrat around
the old elm on the green at Harvard at
her brothers commencene Mt, slipped
cream with him in winthrop place and
walked with him later on the shores
of the Naushon. Recalling the cir
cumstances under which she first heard
the great DR.. Claiming preach, she
says:
HE had look OF sweetness, blended
with an air OF patient determination.
as though he bore the cross Of an un-
popular faith which in time would bless
the earth.
1t is only when Mrs Halves recalls
from her well-st0red mind such MEM
cries of the past that one can realize
her age If women are as old as they
look. then it would seem as II Mrs.
Halves were far younger than the fam
ilv bible and her "reminiscences would
indicate. for there is nothing in her
bearing. manner or speech to indicate
the octogenarian. ADA CRISP.