The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-14
WELL FITTED TO LEAD.


The most interesting woman In the
country today 10 Mrs Garret A. Hobart.
Everybody knows that while Mrs McKin-
ley. literally yin be the first lady In the
land II hor husband Is elected president she
will bo unable to tako part in any but the
quietest Official social evsnts The wife Of
the Woe president will be looked to as tho
real active head Of official society.
spent most OF the morning after the
nomination with Mrs. Hobart and II her
husband Is elected there will be an active
head to official society In every way fitted
for the task. She has many Of the attract
i've manners of Mrs. Morton, the most sue
cessful woman In Republican circles In
Washington for years.
When Mrs. Hobart came through the
doorway, looked at her critically. She Is
not too tall, but Is Of very desirable
height, shapely, with dignided carriage.
She carries her head, which Is shapely and
of good size, very well and is utterly with
out affectntion. In every way she looked
the thoroughly well proportioned. well de-
veloped woman, mentally and physically.
OF course asked, "Do you care for poll
ties" The woman who doesn't Is truly
like fish on dry land in Washington.
"Ycs, indeed. / was brought up in poll
tics, for my father was In politics, and I
have always lived in that atmosphere"
"Socicty--do you caro- for that"
Mrs. Hobart's face became very grave
and tears stood In her eyes
"It isn't becoming for me-" she said,
Eat this time to say like society" Mrs.
Hobart looked at her mourning dress sig
nifcantly. The death Of her daughter
Fannie, very loyable girl of 20, less than
q year ago Is Of so recent date that the
grief Of the family is unhappily fresh. Mr..
Hobart has left 1t entirely TO Mrs. Hobart
70 decide whether with this loss In mind
she feels equal to going into society in
Washington.
st am willing to do my best to please
Mr.. Hobart. II there IL one thing we do
enjoy above others, 1t Is to entertain our
friends. like to give dinner parties and
enjoy bringing interesting people to-
gether."
"Have You met Mrs. McKinleyf'
"No, not yet We have mutual friends,
and am prepared TO find her very charm
ing and sympathetic. My friends tell me
she is most interesting and lovely char
acter."
Have you ever been to political conven-
tions2"
Mrs Hobart's face expressed lively in
terest. In fact, she has an unusually ex-
pressive face when interested
Conventions Indeed I have. I've
been to so many that was very much dis
appointed not to be able to go to this one.
enjoy Ii all very much and have shouted
and waved my flag with the rest of them.
You see, was brought up, as / said, in
politics. / think perhaps my father had
something 70 do with bringing my hus-
band into politics too. His father and
my father sat on the same bench in school,
and even before Mr. Hobart was born It
was arranged that If the child was boy
he should study law with my father.
Governor Parker told Mr.. Hobart's
father--they were both Democrats, as
everybody in Monmouth county was then
that he had better not place his son with
my father because my father would be sure
20 mako Republican Of him. And, you
see Mr.. Hobart turned out Republican.
The Hobarts live In q three story frame
house that contains a number Of hand
somely arranged rooms There are a very
artistic hall, several pretty drawing rooms
and large and rich looking library.
"Mr. Hobart's 'dcn,' explained Mrs.
Hobart, "whcrc he never gets q moment
alone, I'm afraid"
There's O leather armchair, with reading
attachment, beside 1t and a low Turkish
table for Mr. Hobart's smoking outfit.
Beyond this Is u very handsome art gal
lery In which are some we'll selected pic
lures All through the house pictures are
hung In that lavish and careless unstudied
manner that indicates the lover Of art.
This In Mr.. Hobart's fad and recreation.
Mr.. Hobart Is a firm friend of American
artists. He has an unusually fine lot Of
pictures and rather distinctive ones at
that.
Tho art gallery Is also the music room.
The violin lying on a divan indicates that
Garret Hobart, the 12-year-old son, is a
violin player. BY the way, there are sew
eral pictures of Napoleon and one very
lovely porcelain of Mario Louise In one Of
the drawing rooms.
Mrs. Hobart and her husband spena a
great deal Of timc together driving travel
Ing and amusing themselves with outdoor
life. A woman who spends much of bcr
time with Mrs. Hobart declares she is surs
to be success In Washington because sho
is so clever at repartee and always has
something bright TO flash out.
Mrs. Hobart stood looking meditatively
at largo picture of her husband that she
had just rescued from banner maker, be-
cause it is her favorite picture of him.
IL shows Mr. Hobart seated at an Office
desk and just turning around with pen in
hand
THAT looks Just ns he always does. 1 do
like that picture" Mrs. Hobart continued
seriously and slowly. Then, With n fash OF
mischief In her eyes "INl tell you why.
1t looks just as he does when go in and
he turns round and says, How much shall
i make it this timei' "
Mrs. Hobart has no sister or young
relative 10 call on for aid in entertaining