The evening times., 1897-12-04
She CAJOLED CLEVELAND
i'.-.r-.s
The Way a Fair Ofieeseeker OBJ
tained His Endorsement.
Miss Celia Wilbur. a. a Result, May
Become Postmistress at
Princeton, n. J.

Newark, n. ] :, Dec. 4.-There is a bro yn-
eyed little woman here who is the despair
of veteran politicians and place ce-hunts:s.
She made a trip to Princeton yesterday
called at tho residence of Grover Cleveland
and sent to the former President a card In
scribed with the name, miss Celia VIII
bur, Unitcl States internal revenue depart
n,ent, Newark, N. j.
When Mr.. Cleveland appeared she smil d
bevitchingiy, shook his hand with tender
ness and reminded him that she had net
lin often In Washington, when She he'd "A
Government position there. Without giving
her host time 10 speak, she went on To. ny
that he had gown quite slender since
then.
The former President smiled, pulled fio 'vu
his waistcoat and would hav. spoken hal
not Miss Wilbur admired the pictures III
the wall, praised the view from the win
dow and 81 ID she adoreti baby boys There-
upon Nj. Cleveland rang the bell for Master
Cleveland. who appeared in his nurse s
arms, all a-flutter with pink ribbons. d
moment or two later.
The visitor dsndled him in her arms. ie-
marked that he ha ID his father thoughtful
and distinguished air and communicated to
the nurse & specific for teethng colc which
was, she declared. infallible.
No, 1 won't stay and have lunch" said
the visitor, in response to cordial inri-
tation from the babys papa, ''beca Ise
must go over and see President Patton, n
the university, before catching my train
back to Newark. But, before l go, dear
Mr.. Cleveland, l have something to show
you. Will you just glance over thts''
Smiling brightly, Miss Wilbur eXtrac.ed
from her reticule roll of pa per, which she
handed to the former President. Mr..
Cleveland's official manner returned to him
as he glanced at It. 1t was a petition ad-
dressed to President Mckinley, pra ring
that Celia Wilbur might be appointed post
mistress of Princeton. MIR. Cleveland no
.ticed among the signatures those of State
Senator Gardiner and W. A. Jackson, OF
Newark, both men ofinflusnce.
Petitions, my dear young lady, are hard
ly in my line" said Mr.. Cleveland n a
panied voice. ''The last one signed pro
tain qua 1T ers." -.
'Oh. dear!'' cried Miss Wilbur, sy Dpa-
thetically. Wasn't that Princeton Inn
ag1tat1On dObufu. no you KNOW, MI tfeNe-
land, 1 admired You immensely for the
b.oatEminded, tolerant stand you took In
that matter. But, then, it was In line with
what vas always your policy, public ss
well as private. AS for my petition, as he
most distinguished citizen OF the State cf
New jersey, yo'ir signature will carry the
greatest weight. No, you need not ring; l
have fountain pen here. There! II yoI'n
Just sign at the top Of this page, where
kept place for you. Thank you, .ver so
much"
Anc a moment later Celia Wilbur was
tripping gayly to the university, where
President Patton affixed his signature to
her petition with the greatest alacrity when
he saw the autograph of Grover Cleveland.
Then the feir candidate returned to New
ark, and when the news Of the progress
she haG accomplished in one day reached
the ears of her male rivals for the post
they ground their teeth In &C.
spair.