The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-01

executive mansion, as we'll as upon the
men who resided there as the heads Of
families as we'll as the executive heads
of the nation.
Children came to the White house."
says an elderly gentleman, during the
administration of President Polk. There
Maj. Walker, the presidents private
secretary, came there with his wife
and two children; but at the close OF
Folks administration the Walkers had
four children. Mrs. Walker was a Vir-
ginta lady and assisted in the social
duties of the house, and maintained
the reputation Of her state for hospi-
tality. Maj. Walkers oldest son was
a fine little fellow, about six years
old. He was a pet of every one, es-
pecially the president. Mr.. Polk taught
him how to salute visitors. One morn
ing when the family was about to
breakfast, as the president entered the
room, Harry was standing near a
piece of furniture, and when straight
ening himself preparatory to making
his salute, bumped his head Instead
of making the salute he turned to see
what had struck him, with his back to
the president. The president enjoyed
his discontinue and excused the sa-
lutte. The poor boy was killed shortly
after the administration closed by be-
ing thrown from a horse.
AT all of the public receptions dur
ing Folks administration, Gen. Hunter
the marshal, was master Of ceremonies,
and he was a fine old Virginian. 1t
was his custom in the winter to send to
hn g.
wild goose, and nothing entered
the White house in Mr.. Folks term
which was more highly appreciated by
the president. The Marine band played
at the receptions and levees in the
grounds. The band represented no
particular nationality; in fact, repre-
sentatives Of every nation of Europe
could be found in 1t. During the levees
the band would play in the hall ad-
joining the east room. 1t was a custom
of the president to treat the band, es-
pecially when they were giving an open
air concert on the lawn, and usually q
bottle each of gin, sherry, old rye, and
brandy were quietly smuggled on the
stand After the election Of President
Taylor in 1S4S, and before his inaugur-
alton, the latter made several calls on
Mr. Polk. Old Zack stopped at Will
lards, and before his inauguration he
dined with Mr.. Polk and his cabinet
Here he had an opportunity Of seeing
tn attendants Of the house, and Col.
Bliss, Gen. Taylor's son-in-law, sug-
gested that he make no change. Be
fore retiring from the White house Mr..
Polk introduced the attendants to his
successor, remarking of the male at
tendants that he had made a Democrat
of every one of them. Old Rough and
Ready answered by extending hts
hand, saying, Give me your hand. We
won't fall out about politics; but take
care we don't fall out about something
else
During the winters. President
Folks brother was a guest at the
White house, and, as he was a jolly
good fellow, he made things lively
there, keeping everybody in a good hu-
NOR. He was comparatively a young
man, at least twenty years the Junior
Of the president. and had some years
before been appointed charge DAFT
flares to Naples. When the Mexican
war was in progress some Of the or
position papers referred to VIM. Polk
being in a Mace of safety insfe n of al