The herald., 1897-03-17

after fortnight of comparative 81
lence, in which she has made the ac-
quaintance of her own soul, after many
confessions and frequent. sessions of
prayer. on her knees three hours at
stretch--sCle really has changed very
much for the better, Physically. she is
thoroughly rested; her face wears a
new expression. born OF tranquil medl-
tation, ard simply as a beautifier, it is
worth trying by the jaded ones. She
receives parting blesstng, beStows
some aims for the order (often a large
gum Of money!, the great door swings
open, then closes behind her. and she is
OF the world once more
THE NEW FIRST LADY.
The question as to who will preside in
the White House. it's mistress being an
invalid, has been definitely settled at
last Mrs. Mckinley has announced that
she, herself, will perform all the duties
that have devolved upon other presi-
dents wives, unless the unforeseen should
happen. Her ailment consists chiefly
in partial paralysis of one leg, which
causes no pain, nor even much bodily
enthusiastically some difficulty III
moving about. Otherwise she is as well
as most people of middle age. Had she
been a woman in the lower walk of life
compelled to support herself ard per-
haps others by the labor of her hands,
The ellght lameness would hardly have
been taken into account; but the daugh-
ter of wealth. the iGcl Of loving hus-
bard and of a wide family circle. every
member of which IL ready 10 wait upor
Ida" and foster the weakness that be-
fell her when the children died, more
than twenty years ago-is quite another
case. Coming to the White House has
brought her out of herself go to say, to
a wonderful degree. Already she seems
stronger than at any previous time in
many years, and accomplishes things
without apparent fatigue which few
months ago she would have thought
quite cut of the question. Attending her
1irst informal reception the other after
noon, L foud her looking very we'll in
deed, in a handsome black silk gown,
with diamond d-studded side combs in
her short brown hair. Mrs Mckinley
has decided to use the Blue room for the
informal reception of her friends .iretead
of the smaller Red room, which other
presidents wives have made use of, TO,
similar purposes, reserving the beauti-
ful Blue room for state occasions. Thu
present lady of the White House is one
or those sensitive souls whom colors as
we'll as odOrs affect pleasantly or 9TH
erwise. Size is extremely partial to blue.
While red is her bette noir; hence the
change.
MOTHER MKINLEY.
Most of the Mckinley relatives who
came on to witness the Inauguration
nave returned TO their rural homes. The
most conspicuous figure among them
was the presidents mother. Mother
Mckinley" as everybody delighted to
call her--the dearest little old lady in
the world, with keen black eyes that
saw everything going on. and a row of
show-whote curls en- each side of her
face, beneath an old-fashioned lace CAP.
In many respects she reminds one of
Grandma Garfield" who was pictur-
esque figure in the White House for u
short time some years ago. 1t goes with
out saying the Mother Mckinley took a
lively Interest In all the pomps and cere-
monies of the Inauguration, in which
she. herself, formed no insignificant fig
ure. She went about a good deal during
her short stay here, even down the river
to Mount Vernon and to other show
places. and the dear old lady was quite
accessible to strangers--always ready
to etop anywhere, at any time and talk
about my son." The way in which she
spoke those two little words revealed the
world of loving priC = she feels in him.
But the excitements Of Washington soon
grew wearisome and she began to long
for the quiet of her country home, to
which she returned last evening, ac-
companied by her only daughter, Miss
Helen Mckinley.
THE PRESIDENTS SISTER
The latter is another interesting fig
ure. Tall and stately, with a strong
rather than handsome face. she looks
a good deal like her distinguished broth
er. She is one of those people upon whom
a whole family often comes, almost un-
consciously. to depend. Though of
strong character and brilliant intellect,
she Is extremely retiring, and the public
i.y to which the family is now subjected
has been to her severe trial. She does
not like the newspaper search-light at
all. and believes, with some of the rest
of us, that the private families connect
ed with public men have some rights
which should be preserved. She is the
home keeper in the old Mckinley home
stead. and hseides Grandma Mckinley
the two children of her dead brother,
James Mckinley, live with her.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
These young people. who will probab-
~ be very much in evidence in Wash
ington during the next four years, are
Miss Grace and James. Jr." as he is
called In the family circle. Miss Grace
is near her graduation at Mt. Holyoke
seminary, ard will make her debut here
next season. The charming coterie of
"
"uncle" will 70 doubt figure consider
ably in Washington society. Three Of
them, at least are of an age to enter
with zest into the brilliant scenes be-
fore them. being now in the late "teens.' y
Grace Mckinley's room-mate at Mt.
Holycke is her cousin, Miss Mary Bar
ber, who is also in her sophomore year.
She is the daughter of Mrs. Marshall P.
Barber. the presidents sIeter-in-law.
noncfuQ in n
irast to each other Miss Mckinley be-
ing tall and fair, blue-eyed and rosy
checked, while Miss Barber Is slight and
dark Miss Barber has two sisters
Younger than herself whose coming
out" will not be due this year. The
presidents brother, Abner Mckinley,
also rejo!ces in the possession of a
beautiful daughter, Mabel. otherwise
known at home as Sunbeam" from
her sweet and happy disposition She
has musical talent which Is said to be
unusual. with clear, silvery voice of
good culture. She has been living with
her parents at The Windsor. in New
York city. ard it is understood that the
family will spend much of the year at
the White House. Another favorite
niece Is Mics Sarah Duncan, also about
is years of age, the daughter of Mrs.
McKinley's sister. who resides in Cleve-
land The Barhers-father, mother
four sons and three daughters-have re-
turned to Canton, where they occupy
the old Saxton homestead. With them
lives Mr.. George saxton. Mrs. McKir-
ley's only brother who Is still urmar-
ried. Mrs Barber. q pleasant faced,
" mhnco