Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-17

30 accuStonltu mas the President become
TO these flowers at his place that he would
feel that something was greatly lacking
II they We're not Asre And that Is the
reason why Mrs Cleveland sent the great
box OF pansies which Mr.. Cleveland found
waiting for him when he arrived in Chi
cago the list OF May to open the Worlds
Fair. The flowers were for the Presi-
dents private table, and in order 10 have
him ind them waiting for him Mrs. Cleve-
lana had dispatched them 10 Chicago a
train ahead OF him. All during his stay
the nowers were renewed every day by
chicago florist by order Of Mrs. Cleve-
land.
mere Is always something new and
pretty 10 be seen at Mrs. Cleveland's
table. and those who have the privilege
OF dining quietly with the family declare
/ that the dinners, while not elaborate, are
the most enjoyable they ever had.
a man-servant waits upon the Cleve-
land dinners, both at the White House
and In New York. But at Woody, the
country-house near Washington, where
! the President and his family live during
the first of the summer months, there
Is n neat maid-servant who serves the
dinners. and at Gray Gables the same
pretty aproned girl is there TO look after
the wants Of the guests.
Baby Ruth has never yet taken a dinner
with the family when there were guests
present. Bat on those rare occasions
when the President and his wife are alone.
/ she dimes with them, and her baby man
/ ners are a source OF much amusement
and pride to the President, who is more
/ than unusually fond OF his eldest daugh-
1 ter.
There IS always some ceremony at the
/ Cleveland dinners. Mrs. Cleveland dresses
/ well, and the courses are served slowly,
I and as If IL were the time OF all times
/ for the family 10 visit and exchange
/ thought. Mrs. Clevelands favOrite din
! nor is the seven-course dinner, as her hus-
| band tires of the long dinners Of four
/ teen courses and more which were a Few
| years ago the style.
| The Cleveland dinner. except when there
| are state affairs on hand, consists OF
( soup, FISH. small birds, a roast, salad.
| pastry, fruit, and coffee.
Although Mrs Cleveland owns many
| exquisite pieces Of furniture-carvlngs
| from Naples, chair backs painted In Italy
/ and settees cushioned with the rarest
| French stuffs-she is constantly receiving
more. New things come every Christmas.
! and Baby Ruth's presents alone would
! furnish several houses with low rockers
and handsome little chairs. Much of her
| furniture Is necessarily in storage al
| though she is obliged TO keep several
| houses i'm order, so that they are habit
/ able at snort nOuce.
SIMPLE LIFE AT LAKEWOOD.
When Mrs Cleveland goes down 20
! Lakewood for winter stay until the
| official social season demands her pres
ence in Washington the life in the pines
| is in no way formal or grand. The cot
| taCe Is an. old-fashoned one. with five
windows across the front and only two
| stories In height. Ii Is nearly square,
and SO IS large and roomy but far from
/ nue-ss fine country houses go in these
! days. There arc only fourteen rooms, and
/ this Is few when one has a couple Of
babies and q string Of callers, often
| three deep" as the saying Is.
! The furnishings are pretty. and Mrs.
/ Cleveland takes down fine cribs and beau
/ tiful toilet things from Washin'g 'gton,
| nevertheless the entire house, furnishings
and all, are much less pretentious than the
! simplest Newport villa. The windows
/ are all filed, or dressed with howers.
Many palms are sent from the White
! House Conservatives. Others, and rare
| plants Of all kinds, are sent by friends.
Around the house are many shrubs and
! vines planted by Mrs. Cleveland herself
! Upon the broad veranda, which I'm win
! ter-time Is glassed in 10 make the house
warmer Mrs Cleveland and the Presi-
dent delight TO sit and enjoy the Lake
wood pininess and the foliage which,
from January until March. grows each
minute pTettier at Lakewood. Sometimes,
/ if the day is warm enough, they play
/ cards upon a little lightwOOd table
brour hit, out for the purpose. II is II
pretty picture the First Lady and her
husband enjoying themselves simply. when
the palaces Of the whole nation might be
i thrown open for them to enter and be
/ fcted.
The cottage is often the scene Of pretty
/ sociables. always private and simple, and
SO informal thai not infrequently Mrs.
/ Cleveland entertafns her guests in one set
Of parlors. while in the other parlors
across the han. the President discusses
mntters of state with his friends.
In short the Lakewood life is. as Mrs.
Cleveland once expressed IT. "a breathing
spell. and a talk with nature, with all
that is set and stately and compulsory
/ left out" AUGUSTA PRESCOTT.