St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-02-11

When she came to live in the big White
house, although newly fiedged matron,
with good deal of the halo that covers
such a character with mysterious
charm, she was true to the progressive
instinct in her nature. She became
rapidly Clevelandesque, and now, in her
second occupancy of charming Dolly
MadisOn's old home, she has shown her
self more so than ever.
1t is truly curious, at any rate from a
woman's point of view, to note how I'M
failingly Mrs. Cleveland has met social
success on every occasion. l think
even the twittering sparrows that whis-
per together OH the housetops could
hardly find an exception. Punctilious
etiquette never failed her. nor was she
ever guilty of a social anachronism.
Anxious to make good impression on
all those who came within the circle of
her personal influence. while her hus-
band was making official history, the
young wife was equally intent on
achieving a social and kindly fame.
Something more than mere cordiality
is needed to make d perfect hostess.
Mrs. Cleveland, stately and condeScend-
ing by turns, has this subtle charm.
which one seeks i'll vain to define. AS
she speeds daintily down the spreading
staircase of The old White house, that
has held so many charming mistresses,
her skirts giving forth subdued frou
frou, and her irm-looking white hands
held out, palms upward, in hearty
greeting, her eyes are fixed on yours
and her smiling lips are parted in
gracious words. Presently you dis.
cover that she is an admirable listener.
unwearied under the recital of the "in-
fnitely little" prompt with sympathetic
rejoinder, tactful and witty But what
ever turn the conversation takes, one
never falls to receive the impression of
unruffled serenity and perfect breed
ing.
had the good fortune to be honored,
on certain OCCASION, with an invitation
to luncheon, during the season when
congress was in session. The capital
as usual was in mild sort of spolitico-
social delirium. Washington, during
the recess. remind one of what Henri
Taine said of London as to its s'being
Sabbath every day of the week there"
but while our capital inclines to play
dead when congress is not in session it
is just as surely in a state of delirium
when the statesmen are actually busy.
| arrived at the executive mansion at
the appointed hour, to find some fifty
other guests all prominent and noted in
the social galaxy. There were Mrs.
Admiral Upshur, who in the DAYS of
the last empire was renowned at the
court Of Eugene for her exalted style of
beauty; Mrs. Phil Sheridan, who as
wife Of the then commander-in-chIef of
the army, resident at Washington, was
expected to appear simultaneously at
various places, such were the demands
upon her; Mrs. Francis Hodgson Bur
nett, the famous author, and other
equally interesting personalities. The
ladies were received in the handsome
| East room, where. after moments
| greeting to Mrs. Cleveland, little groups
were formed. and the spacious room
| soon sounded with the livelieSt of femi.
nine chatter and the gayest of laughter.
| remember Mrs. Burnett coming up to
me to beg me to help her by jogging her
memory little. as one of the ladies
present had just been remarking on GER
tain traits of particular character in
one of her books-a physician, l think
and asking the author her reason for
presenting him as she did.
PPM quite mystifed," said Mrs. Bur
nett, with a puzzled air. for really
now. l can't recall any such person in
that special book"
AT that moment saw the beckoning
finger of our hostess. who drew me
aside. and, lowering her voice, re.
marked:
II want you to. tell me again the
name OF the gentleman whom you
brought to call last week. l asked him
to call again and l wish to recall his
name. You will not mention it, please.