Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-09-26
A WHITE HOUSE GUIDE.
Entertaining Conversation of an Executive
Employee of n Few Months Ago.

Entertaining Conversation of an Executi,
Employee of n Few Months Ago.
n Not to be too personal, this account {
White Honse visiting is taken from a
experience in the past. 1t is on a da
- when the president is in the big cas-
room, shaking hands with any Tom
Dick or Augustus who wishes to inflic
himself on the head of the nation. Their
are numerous Familiarity polite mel
lounging In the vestibule of the mansion
Their dress consists of Indifferent bust
ness suits, very ready made in appear
ance, black, brown, blue and gray, il
fitting and often shabby. These are the
servants of the place, whose duties are
to show the guests through the public
rooms and at times through the private
ones. Their appellation in this house of
the people is guide" They are partic-
nlarly the persons from whom the visitor
10 Washington gets the tone of the
White House If any one claims that
these are gentlemen in office and not
serving men, let him try them with a
fee. 1t is not exacted, is forbidden, but
try It'll
Through with the president, a group Of
people are invited by guide to go into
the other rooms.
"These rooms has all been newly dec
Grated" he says, land after designs by
Miss Harrison, and faint necessary for
me to sag that she's artist" sweep
of his hand takes in floor, wall, ceiling
and furniture.
This" he goes on, lis the famous blue
room, where the president receives with
his lady beside him. You have all heard
Of going behind the line. We'll, the pres
ident stands here with his lady on his
right and the ladies of the cabinet.
That makes the line. After they shake
hands the eight go behind the line where
all the dignataries is.
That's right, ma am. Sit right down." |
This to woman who has rested against !
the arm of a chair. "All sit down and |
make yourself comfortable. People |
seem to think this house belongs to Miss |
Harrison, but it don't. 1t belongs to all
of you. Miss Harrison wants everybody
to feel at home. Now, In this room
Miss Cleveland was married. She stood
right there where that lady's feet is"
The modest appearing little woman
on whose feet all eyes were centered
looked inclined to put them in her pock-
ct, but the guide went on remorselessly.
where that lady's feet is placed"
This clock" said the guide later,
pausing before an elaborate mantel
clock, "and them side ornaments was
presented TO George Washington, our
first president, by Layfayette and pre-
sented by he to the White House And
it has ben going ever sence. Them lights
are electric and just put in. You turn
them on and off this way" illustrating. |
Seeing as you look interested, sir, YOU
can turn them on once if you like"
The man to whom this kind permits
sion was granted bears name synony-
nous with electricity, bat the famous {
as courteous as the guide, 6
5ravely manipulated the button.
Leaving after quarter of an hour I
more of this talk. and visit to the con
'ervatories and peep at the private t
lining room, Selma expressed herself in i
his fashion: 1
"All applicants for such work in the q
White House should pass civil service 6
before being accepted. Sec. c
'ndlv, they should be obliged to wear a s
distinctive dress. Call it uniform if s
he word livery is Objectionable But I
hese men should look as neat and trig /
8 postmen, motormen and car conduct v
RS, Thirdly, they must be as willing q
nd obliging as they are at present. / s
would like to leave our presidents house p
nee without feeling half amused and n
alf vexed and altogether ashamed, as ! t
IN today. Newport News. s.