The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-19

TO be red geraniums. On every pleasant
day In the immediate past one might
have seen a fair-faced woman seated on
this vcranda. drinking in the quiet and
beauty of the scene that lay stretched
before her. But now all shat is over.
There Is no moro rcstful quiet for hcr,
Tor her husband has become one Of the
most conspicuous men in the United
States and she. against her will, has been
unconsciOusly drawn into all the strife
and turmoil Of national politics. 10 is
easy to see that this frail woman Is not
happy amidst these new surroundings.
To be sure for over twenty years she
has been not altogether unaccustomed
10 the clangor OF political ife fer she
has seen her husband eleoicd 10 Congress
time and again, and twice she has parti-
clpated with him 90 a greater or less eN-
tent in his successful campaigns for the
Governorship Of Ohio: bus while those
scenes were all exciting. they pale into
insignincance beside tho mad and fever
ish scenes which are now hourly brought
before her. Each day. each hour, j may
saw each minute. men from all over the
country journey 20 Canton 40 see and TO
talk 20 her distinguished husband. the
Republican candidate fer President OF
the United States. She enjoys 1t per-
haps in a certain way enjoys il ass low
INK WIG fUIUFc Aif AilAiiAi'tiN va wv NtA'
who IS an the world 20 her-euiOvs il. If
a sense Of deepest pride can De called
enjoymonl and yet IL is plain TO DE seen
that her gentle nature shriuks from II
all
THE HOME or \ GENTLEWOMAN.
Mrs Mckinley is essentially gentle
woman. Her face her FORM her manner
all suggest that which is sweetest and
best in woman. Thrown into direct con-
tact with the world as she has been, she
has yel retained 10 an eminent degree all
that charming feminlnty which the older
inhabitants Of Stark county. Ohio, recall
as being her chiefest charm In girlhood.
There is something sad about this little
woman toc-strikiucly sad, when now
and then one catches far of. mOurnful
look in her eyes. and notes the pathetic
lines Of suffering which even her bravery
and strengh OF will cannot altogether
oblitcrate from her lice. She has suffer
ed has this woman, suffered no enc
knows how much. For many years Ina
fact since her last born died and was laid
away To rest. she has been an invalid.
Not an invalid m the sense that she has
been confined 10 her bed or even 10 her
room all these years but an invalid mas
much a. she has been unable 10 20 about
and miugle in society and enjoy the rec
rea.ions that other women ENJOY. In
Washington. during Major Mckinlcy's
many years Of service i'm the House OF
Representative she chung pretty close
ly TO the house which she had there.
meeting comparatively few OF the men
and women who go TO make Washing
ton the gayest city In the land during It's
own uni0ue season. She has never been
happv altogether ina those years-she al
rits II herself The bright. shining Ief-
tods OF her life have been when she was
back I'm the home OF her birth, having
her husband all 10 herself. and seated On
her piazza or IN her tiny rtcep'on-room
receiving. not as guests but rather as low
ed companions. the friends or her carry
DAYS. II WAS thus that i frs. saw Mrs
Mckinley. To be- sure AZ that TINE inc
clans were just gathering at st. Louis,
and there was the ill-cOncealed air OF
anticipation which ovcrspread the entire
city OF Canton. even 90 the home or the
Major and his wife hut AZ that time
there was a reposc about his gentle sur
fcrer which WAS as bcaliiiul as u W."
nathctic one would sec that she felt
proud OF the honor which an <new Was
shou- 20 he bestowed upon her husband
and yet through IL an she found ample
,,rue 10 receive and greet with Simple
grace all the friends ana nelGhocis "nom
she held most dear.
D., ,.ben 1 saw her one second time
-, ,h,s was changed Canton was alive
zfh bunting. from every pofch ana from
,vcrv roof there noated flags and BAN
sc,s Inscribed with the words Mckinley
he advance aacnr OF prosperity The
mo servant who had done duty for SO
many years at the Mckinley home had
,s.n reinforced by varioussothers in the
mise OF secretaries and waiting men
md messengers. There was constan'
,Ir OF hustle and activity and while her
husband was gentleness and thoughtful
lsss psrsonined IN his interest In his pa