The morning times., 1896-03-29

BILE she had Jim on her right aud the Post
master General on her left, so that Jim
was really bigger man than old Key on
that occasion.
The poor fellow could not compose him
self. First he dropped his fork, and then
his napkin. Mrs. Hayes, of course, saw
his embarrassment. and opened conver-
sation on their old army life, and his sick
ness in camp, and of their ride when he
became convalescent. She finally got Jim
to talking a little. Then the President
Joined in, and next the Postmaster General
broke in and told them of certain occa-
sions where he had whipped the Yankees.
BY this time Jim began TO get warmed up
and had little more TO say.
The President then talked of the battle
of Cedar Creek, and James, said he ap-
peaIingly to jim, we were badly whipped
i'll the morning of that day, were we not?'
Yes. sir, replied Jim; but, general,
when Sheridan came up in the afternoon
didn't we give them h-?'
That was all Jim could say, but IL
expressed his sentiments. He obtained the
letter and returned home in high spirits.
Mrs. Hayes was especially fond of young
company, and generally had five or six
young ladies as her guests herself being
at all times a s young as any of them IN the
matter of frolic. She was emphatically the
nightingale of the house ever full OF life,
and, therefore, as greatly beloved by her
young friends IS by those of maturer years.
There were certain people who we're
ever welcome to the family table, and
a plate and chair were always waiting for
them. Two OF these We're considered Inem-
bers of the family, and i'll making prepara-
tions for any event at the White House,
one Of the family would Invariably re-
mark: Mind you don't forget the ma jor.
These special friends We're, Hon. William
Mckinley and his wife. Another warm
friend was Gen. Russell Hastings, who tar
ried in Washington while en- route South
long enough to WOO and win the favorite
niece OF Mrs. Hayes, who was her guest
at the White House, and where her wedding
was duly celebrated.
MRS. ASTORs DIAMONDS.
THE dinner given by President and Mrs.
Hayes to Mr.. and Mrs. Astor, of New York,
January 90 1880, was certainly a very
elaborate affair, but the dress and adorn-
ment of Mrs. Astor on that occasion were,
Ill lily JuuRIleHl NeEg BEOSS. lHe- CUR
trast in appearance of Mrs. Hayes and Mrs.
Astor was marked. The former were a
white satin dress, fitting high up TO the
throat, and with long sleeves. She wore
no dimaonds nor jewelry OF any kind, al
though she had ample OF both. 1t has
been said that the value OF the diamonds
Mrs. AstOr wore on her person at that
dinner was not less than a quarter OF a
million dollars. Her dress was of white
satin, cut very low in the neck, and with
short sleeves "a Ia decOlettet. A necklace
of large diamonds encrcled her thin neck,
a roSettte of diamonds glistened in her cor
sage a diamond was worn on each shoulder,
diamonds were suspended from her ears,
the back comb on her head was studded
withdiamondS rosettes ofdiamondS mounted
the buckles OF her low slippers on her feet
iii fact. she was literally covered with dia-
monds.
Upon the arrival of the carriage which
brought Mr.. and Mrs. AStor to the White
House on the occasion mentioned the door
was opened by q gentleman in waiting,
who took Mrs. Astor up in his arms ana
carried her into the house, and while the
dinner was in progress this same stranger
was constantly patroliing the floor at the
dining-room door. This being reported to
me l approached the unknown sentinel and
asked him what he was doing In the
private part of the house.
He informed me that he was private
detective in the employ of Mrs. Astor; that
he accompanied her everywhere. / told him
that he would have to go out and take
seat in the reception-room; that Mrs. Astor
ho Of 10
his wife, and that her diamonds were as
safe in the White House as they were in
her own private honse. l opened one of
the glass doors and he passed out.
He told the doorkeeper that it was
the first time in nine years that he had
lost sight of Mrs. Astor while on duty; that
she employed three detectives and one or
two of them accompanied her wherever
she went, and at least one of them was
always on duty, night and day. At night
they watched her room. Mrs. Astor attended
the last diplomatic reception given by
President and Mrs. Hayes and had her
three detectives with her. two of whom
stood behind her all the evening.
MRS. HAYES LIBERALITY.
president and Mrs. Hayes have been
accused of being parsimonious. This ac-
cusation is unjust. No family ever occu-
pied the White House whose entertainments
and charity can compare with those OF.
President Hayes and family. l have sent
for them wagons loaded with provisions
TO the poor In all parts of Washington.
Mrs. Hayes would ascertain where some
poor soldier or widow was lying sick and
then send me to investigate. Upon my
reporting the facts she would go to the
storeroom in person and selected every
variety of groceries to send them.
"'Now William, you take all these.
things to those poor people, and also give
this TO the poor mans wife with which she
may buy coal or other articles sometimes
handing me So, SO or SIT to accompany
the provisions she had herself selected.
'Tn one case that had been reported to
Mrs Hayes by the mounted messenger at
the White House, I informed her that
nothing bad been exaggerated.
1.-THE lady lived in South Washington
and was dying from consumption. She
had six children, the eldest only about
twelve years old. They bad had nothing
to eat that day, except few pieces OF
bread some neighbors had sent them.
Itold the mo tber that Ihad been sent TO her
by lady TO see If she needed anything,
| and asked her what she would like to have.
Her only request was for 'one or two raw
| oysters When returned and reported to
Mrs. Hayes the sad condition OF affairs,
| she could not restrain the tears which her
| deep sympathy and feeling caused to flow
| copiously.
'sSbe at once selected a liberal supply OF
| groceries and provisions and hurried me all
the time until my wagon was loaded. took
| that family barrel of flour, meat, potatoes