The morning times., 1897-03-05
RETIRING To PRIVATE LIFE
Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland's Depar-
ture From the White House.
RATHER A PATHETIC SCENE
They Left the Mansion by the Rear
Entrance-Mrs. Cleveland Was
Whirled Straight TO the Depot
and Took Train for Princeton.
Her Husband Went Ducking.

Inc departure of the Clevelands from
the White House was in measure pathetic
The ex-President and his wife each took
their leave from the back or south en-
trance 1t was going in at the front door
and out at the hack door. Mrs. Cleveland
stopped only about five minutes after she
had received the new mistress Of the
Executive Mansion. This, however, was
made necessary on account OF the delay
OF Mrs. Mckinley in arriving. Mrs Cleve-
lands arrangements, made some days
ago, provided for her departure from the
City at 3:15, and the private car of Presi-
dent Thomson, OF the Pennsylvania road
was attached to the train. She had barely
time TO extend her greetings TO Mrs Nc
Kinley, and get to the station, although
she did go to Mrs Lannon'S S home Ior
about five minutes, to say farewell
AS Mrs. Cleveland passed from the wind
ing steps at the south entrance OF the
house where she had been the ''uncrowned
queen for almost eight years, having en-
tered 1t as bride and the pride OF the
nation, she never looked more beautiful.
In her hand she carried a great bunch of
vi0lcts, which matched the flowers of her
hat and the bodice of her dress She
quickly entered the carriage and the
spirited horses hurriedly speeded toward the
western:gate, taking her TO the train to bear
her to her new home at Princeton. All OF
the servants in the house were on the steps
below, where all shook her hand in CRATE
full remembrance, and in the eyes OF her
maids there welled up tears as If in grief
The eX-Presdent did not remain more
than three minutes in the Blue Parior
after he had accompanied President Me
kInley hack to the White House after the
latter,s inauguration. He descended the
same winding steps with a careful though
rathere unsteady tread. His lame leg was
guarded with unusual care. He used his
walking stick and stepped with both feet
on each step Of the stairway, thus de-
scending very slowly. He was accom-
panied by Col John NJ. Wilson. at the
bottom Of the steps stood the carriage
with Capt RobleyD ID. Evans, late Commander
Of the battleship Indiana, waiting. and the
two were burriedly driven to the wharf,
where they boarded the Maple, a light
house tender, destined for the Albemarle
night viii be spent in sport OF the field
and stream.
Mr.. Cleveland's departure from the White
House was not with the air of one who
regretted his surrender Of power ana place
but more like one who was glad that his
responsibilities had ceased. 1t was twelve
years ago yesterday that he entered the
Mansion, stranger to the country. lie
went out in 1889, and returned in 1898
His retirement on March 4. 1897, VIII, in
the opinion of his own party, be forever.
EN p resident Cleveland left the city
yesterday at 3.37 p. IN. for the coast Of
North Carolina. Immediately after ac-
cnmpanying President Mckinley from the
Capitol to the White House, he was
driven to the Eighth-strtet wharf. where
he boarded the lighthouse tender Maple,
which steamed down the Potomac Mr..
Cleveland was accompanied by Dr.. Wood
and Capt. Evans, L. s. a, the latter
having been driven to the wharf with
him in one OF the White House carriages.
Dr. Wood, who also accompanied the party,
arrived Mt the wharf more than an hour
before the others, and went aboard the
boat Immediately.
The president and Capt. Evans were
expected at the wharf at O'Clock but
did not arrive until an hour and a half
later. Not a minute was lost then in
getting ready to cut loose, although Mr..
Cleveland, as he went up the gangpIlnk,
said. 1T is no use to hurry now
The ex-President was unencumbered by
baggage of any kind He was helped from
the carriage by Mate William Mullin. In
his hand he carried a heavy gold-headed
cane, and with that he steadied himself
as he walked up the gangplank.
As Mr.. Cleveland was hurriedly making
his way up the gangplank he was asked
what was his immediate point of de stina-
ton. Without stopping he said North
Carolina and other Places" ana passed
On and out OF sight. An effort was made
to learn from Capt Lamberton how long
and where the trip would extend, but he
said he was in total ignorance Of the plans
OF the ex-President He said, however,
that he thought the trip would be con-
tinued for week or ten days. He was
also OF the opinion that the first anchor
the Maple would cast would be somewhere
along the coast of North Carolina
1t was also stated that lunch had been
for the party and would be served
as soon as the boat was wen under way.
Dinner, it was said, would not be taken
until o'clock in the evening.