The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-08-02

SALEM, Ill, July 23.-"She is one who
will be the most popular person in the
United States and the next mistress
of the White House" That is how the
chairman of the Salem celebration
ceremonies introduced Mrs. William
Jennings Bryan to the residents of
Mr.. Bryans birthplace the other even
ing.
Wives of presidential nominees are
not usually presented to audiences
gathered to hear the nominee speak
But this wasn't a purely political meet
ing. 1t was a town doing honor to
an ex-townsman whose name will be
on every tongue for four months, per-
haps a future president.
Every one wanted to see the woman
whom that man delights to honor. The
situation might have embarrassed any
woman.
Mrs. Bryan rose from the seat be-
side her husband and took a step for
ward. Hers is figure five feet six
inches tall. 1t looks shorter. She was
clothed in a black China silk frock,
printed in a pattern of tiny flowers.
Three or four ruff1es made a cluster
at the skirt hem. The sleeves were of
medium SIZE with black lace gathered
on the top seam and falling over the
Sleeve. Black point d'esprit over pale
old pink silk made the vest. A pink
enamel anemone fastened the collar
at the throat.
She wore a toque Of black, it's out
lines softened by white lace and vio-
lets The women noticed all that.
AS Mrs. Bryan turned to the right
she bowed to the friends grouped be-
hind her on the platform. With
slight motion she faced the big crowd
that covered the green common. AS
cheer travelled over the crowd the
young woman's eyes smiled a bit Her
face whitened a shade from intensity
of feeling, and with another bow to
the chairman Mrs. Bryan sank into her
seat again.
MRS. BRYAN IS CLEVER
Is 1t was not like anything else any
one present had ever seen, but then
Mrs. Bryan does not resemble other
women who have been wives of pres
idential nominees A man who had met
women at almost every station and
rank enthusiastically declared that
the wife Of the Democratic nominee
would be interesting even if she lost
both eyes and ears, for she has intel
ligence of unusual quality.
Of course Mrs. Bryan is young. They
were engaged when she was nineteen
and he twenty. 1t was not, however,
until four years later that they were
married Then there was little house
ready for them in an Illinois town,
and for this first home of their married
life the organs have great affection.
A deep attachment to whatever spot
sha been called home" seems to be a
Bryan characteristic.
Their Lincoln (Neb.) household con-
sists Of Mrs. Bryan's father, who has
suffered a great affection in the loss Of
his sight The three children, Ruth,
Grace and William j., are all wide
awake school children. Grace attends
kindergarten. Mrs. Bryan believes
in the system, and, indeed, is an adj
vocate of all practical education. If
she had sufficient time, her incIina-
lions are such that practical educa-
tfonal movements would receive her ac-
tive support.
Outside of school, the mother keeps
an eye on the children's studies A
while ago one Of the children hadn't
received the desired percentage in one
study, and Mrs. Bryan ruled that until
the necessary rating was reached the
girl should not be allowed out.
Bicyclists will feel friendly towards