The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-02-25

affairs, there is nothing for a man to
do but call on some obliging lady friend
for facts in that line; and that is what
l have done.
Write a letter about the ladies Of
the cabinet" says Pauline Amber.
write about their homes and the way
they entertain people. Tell them about
the intimate friendship existing be-
tween the wife of the president and the
wife of the secretary of war. 1t is
fact that Secretary and Mrs. Daniel S.
Lamont are the Lord and Lady Church
hill of the present administration While
the secretary whispers contidcntially
in the ear of the president, Mrs. Lamont
presides sweetly but tyrannically over
Mrs. Cleyeland's teakettle. Mrs. Cleve
land is as fondly attached to Mrs. La
mont as ever good Queen Anne was to
her doting duchess. When Mrs. La
mont first went house-hunting, Mrs.
Cleveland accompanied her and insist
ed on the secretary settling as near the
white house as possible. Consequently
the secretary closed the lease for the
old Woods house on Lafayette square,
facing the executive mansion.
This is the house that Mrs. Cleveland
picked. out of all those visited. for her
dear friend" There is almost IN
obstructed view between the two
houses, and, as Old Hickory used to
signal to Van Buren across the park
when affairs of state were in furry,
so can Mrs. Cleveland call for her con-
| fidential friend when there are little
social and domestic questions to be con-
| sidered. The home of the secretary Of
war is historic itself and located in the
| most historic section of Washington.
| The old house has rather an important
social history. Secretary Gideon Welles
lived there during the war. Senator
Stockton's family made it their home
when they were leaders in the gay
world of fashion. The house adjoins
Daniel Webster's old residence, now the
paatial home of Senator Brce. The
house has no street door, but is en-
tered through an arch driveway and
| French court. The Ohio senator dimes
all the nobility who chance to visit
Washington and takes the lead in TAX
ing up the latest fads.
Miss Amber says that during the
entire administration Mrs. Lament and
Mrs. Cleveland have together settled
many problems which have affected po-
ltcal as we'll as social life. Over the
teapot social leaders have been created
or decapitated. Over their chocolate
they have discussed executive and other
state dinners and decided upon the ar.
rangements of their guests, as well a:
the details of menus. Thus together
they have given fame to the favored
and medocrity to those who have been
disfavored.
Mrs. Hoke Smith, who entertained sc
lavishly and brilliantly last winter, will
not be here this winter, because hel
husband is no longer secretary of the
interior. He resigned from the cab
met last August, and the family now re
sides in Atlanta, Ga.
The small green parallelogram be
tween the white house and the Airing
ton hotel, in which Secretary Lamont
home is located, has undenaby tn
most interesting history of any locaiit,
IN this country. At the time of the revo
luton it was an insignificant part O
David Burns farm. But long before tn
british soldiers tramped over it on thei
way to burn the white house il Isl
the political grandees of the land ha
already begun to build their home
around it. The center of that farm
now one of the most beautiful spot
in Washington. Lafayette park.
The great double mansion east Q
secretary Lamont's residence was bull
by Matthew st. Claire Clark, long cIer
of the house of representatives. 1t after
ward became the home Of the BIRTHS
legation. 1t WAS here Sir Bulwer Lytto
lived during bis eMtassY. It was a.s