The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-04-20

oescent lamps away up near the ceiling.
IL Is not very much of light, but what
there is falls softly and prettily from it's
elevated position. The effect, though
noAel, is really very charming. Mrs.
cleveland is usually gowned in some
thing loose and flowing, and much COM
ment is heard on her matrenly appear
ance compared with her girlishness dur
ing her former residence here. She has
fascinating way of looking her callers
straight in the eye, Of maintaining a lin
gering clasp of their hands and of say
ing sensible things in sensible way.
AS stood watching her for few mo-
msnts the other day I perceived that she
started and gave directions to four out
of five of the little conversations be-
tween her and her guests. There was
nothing stereotyped or stilted about the
talk either. This is true grace. What
is tact in man is grace in a woman.
The need of a new White House, which
Ihave often argued, was shown on Easter
Monday. The mansion was thronged
with women and children. Inasmuch as
the White House has but one door, ladies
who waited to see Mrs. Cleveland could
not get in, and those who were in could
not get out. Among the latter was Mrs.
/ Bissell, wife Of the postmaster general.
She had made a friendly call on Mrs.
Cleveland, and it took her nearly an
hour to make her escape from the build
ing. For is minutes she stood tightly
wedged in mass of humanity, unable
to stir a step. She took it all very good
naturally, as she did some Of the re-
marks which she was forced to overhear
in the crowd. Said one woman in Mrs.
Bissell's hearing:
I II don't think this administration
ought to put on any airs. Why, the
wife Of the postmaster general used to
give music lessons!'
Mrs Bissell tells this story on herself,
and she laughs at the foolish people who
pronounce her name as if it were Bis
sell, which is evidence enough Of the
fact that the wife of the big postmaster
The truth is, the most important people
here are the least pretentious. A few
evenings ago sat chatting with Secre-
tary Of State Gresham and Secretary of
Agriculture Morton. Ttass
''The one thing I do not like about
Washington" said Secretary Gresham,
sis the demoralizing effect the life here
has on young men. IL appears to make
dudes and prigs of Them Then Mr..
Gresham spoke Of his son and told how,
some years ago, he had sent the young
man from Indianapolis to work on a
farm. The old farmer who took him
was to pay the boy so cents day, and
the judge agreed If Otto was not worth
as much as this to make up the differ
ence himself. But Otto had good stuff
in him and worked so well in the har-
vest and bayfield, that the farmer volun-
tarily raised his wages to rs cents day.
Thus the youngster worked one sum-
mer, coming home occasionally to see his
mother and have her patch his clothes.
For two or three years Otto Gresham
was Mr.. Hendricks private secretary
and was intrusted with all of that great
Democrats political secrets. He never
told even his father one of them. Before
he died Mr.. Hendricks said to Judge
Gresham: 'sYour son knows every po-
litical secret have in the world. They
are safer with him than they are with
me-" Otto is now a rising lawyer in
Chicago, earning his 0,000 year, and
is too busy to spend even day in Wash
ington.
Secretary Morton has as fine lot Of
boys as any father in the world. One Of
them, Paul, he found job for in rail
way Office at Burlington, Ia. His pay
was $50 month. and he paid $40 for his
board. In three years, when only a little
past his majority, he was made general
freight agent Of the great c., B. and @.
system.
81 was glad of this" said Secretary
Morton, ''but when I heard his salary
had been raised to $4,000 year I went
ut once to the president of the road.
You have promoted Paul. said.
Yes And made his salary $4,000,
Yes, but he's doing so well we might
make it a little more if you think that
is not enough Don't make it more,
Make 1t less,' said; make it 81, $780,
'Whatr exclaimed President Perkins in
surprise. Yes, I mean what say. Three
thousand year is too much for boy to
have all to himself in wicked city like
Chicago, and he compromised on 81, OO0."
Paul Morton is now manager Of one
of the largest coal companies in the
west and is amassing fortune, which
is better for the sons of great men than
having them driving swell carts along
with other dades in the streets of the
capital. WALTER WELLMAN.
Grapevines ON Roofs.