The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-17
REAL MRS. CLEVELAND.
Mistress of the White House Pictured
by Personal Friend.
Stately, Courteous, TaCtful and Witty Her Hat
red of eOssip.Mongers How She Entertains
the Smart Set in Washington Society
Her Domestic Frugality Inquisitivc Nuisan-
Ces and Curiosity-Seekers.
tcopmfght Oythc Wilson Press Syndicate, 1904

tCopnTght Jythc Wilson Press Syndicate, 1894.
WAsHEGToN, Feb. lit is all but ten years
since the young graduate Of Wells College
took her place beneath the Bacharat crystal
chandelier in the Red Room Of the Executive
Mansion, to await the ceremony that was to
unite her In bonds Of holy matrlmony to the
then recently elected President. As she stood
there In her beautiful gown, with her dark,
soft hair, intense glowing eyes and almost girl
ish femnlnity she could hardly have been
thought by worldly-wsc observer to give
promise ofgreat things. There are some women
who are warranted to run until marriage;
but that estate reached. there ID no further
development In them. But the young college
girl was OF quite different material. She
simply moved onward. graspng each oppor-
tunity as it came. When she came to live In
tho big White House, although Il newly
fledged matrOn, with q good deal of the halo
that covcrB such character with mysterious
charm, she was true TO the progressive instinct
in her nature. She became rapidly Cleveland
esque and now, in her second occupancy Of
charming Dolly Madison'5 old homu she has
shown herself more so than ever.
1t is truly curious, at any ratio from a
woman's point Of view. to note how unfail-
ingly Mrs. Cleveland has met social success on
every occasion. | think even the twittering
sparrows that whisper together on the house
tops could hardly find an exception. punctillous
etiquette never failed her nor was she ever.
guilty of Il social anachrOnism. Anxious to
mako II good impression on Nll those who
came within the circle Of her personal innu-
cncc, while her husband was making official
history the young wife was equally intent on
achieving a social and kindly fame
Something more than mere cordially ia
needed to mako perfect hostess Mrs. Cleyc.
land. stately and condcscendlng by turns, has
this subtle charm, which one seeks in vain to
define. As she speeds dulntlly down the spread
Ing staircase Of the old White IIOuac, that has
hold 30 many charming mstresscs, her skirts
giving forth subducd frOH IrOg, and her firm
looking white hands held out, palms upward, In
hearty greeting, hcrcycs arc fixed on yours and
her smiling lips are parted IN gracious words
Presently you discover that she is an admirable
listener, unwearlcd under the recital Of the
infinitely littlc,' prompt with sympathetic
rciolndcr, tactful and witty. But whatever
turn the conversation takes. one never fails TO
receive the impression Of urruGied serenity
and perfect breeding.
/ had the good fortune to be hOnored on q
certain OCCASION with an invitation to lunch
con, during tho seaaon when Congress was in
session. The Capital as usual was in mild
sort Of polltlco.Boc!al dclirlum. Washington
during tho recess reminds ono Of what Henri
Tainc said OF London as to its being Sabbath
every day Of the week there" bat while our
capital inClines 10 play dead when Congress H.
not in session II g Just as surely in Il state Of
dcl!rium when tho stategmcn arc actually busy
| arrived at the Executive Mansion NJ the aI-
pointed hour, to find some fifty other guests all
prominent and noted In tho 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 ms wife Of
the then conmandcr.ln.chef Of the army. resi-
dent IN Washington, was expected to appear