The record-union., 1897-01-17

HuSpdHo, WHO was a Sel1-made man 1t
has often been said that she taught him
the alphabet, but this Is not true. How
ever. he could only write with much diff
ficulty before he was married, and II
was through her love and perseverance
that he developed his abilities unfor-
tunately, her health failed, and she be-
came an invalid before Mr. johnson was
elected President
Mrs Lincoln was never very popular
She lacked that most essential quality
tact She was fond of display for
which the nation criticised her. She
was frivolous and restless as we'll as
eccentric, and was generally misunder-
stood. Surely every woman in the
country should feel nothing but SYM
pathy for her.
Buchanan is known as the bachelor
President. He was the only Chief Ex-
ecutive this country ever had who was
not married. except Cleveland. who
soon brought bride to the White
House. Miss Harriet Lane was mistress
of the executive mansion during his
administration. She was his niece and
was most charming, exciting much ad-
miration. She married young and is
still living.
Mrs. Franklin Pierce was most popu-
lar. 1t is said that she never had an
enemy. Her health was always very
poor from earliest childhood. But in
spite of being an invalid and very un-
happy at the time of her husbands in
auguration. on account of the death
of their only child she made a point
of being present at all the receptions
and State dinners. considering il her
duty. No mistress of the White House
has ever left warmer friends.
Mrs. Fillmore was very fond of quiet,
domestic life, and disliked formal en-
tertainments of all sorts. She was in
very poor health when she entered the
White House as its mistress, and also
unhappy, because she had just lost her
sister. So she lived as privately as
she could consistently with her posi-
tiCn. She was wonderfully clever and
well educated, and a true helpmeet to
her husband. In early life she was a
pupil teacher.
Mrs. Zachary Taylor was a little wo-
man. The first enjoyable reception ever
given at the White House was under
her management. Up to that time they
had been stiff and tiresome. but none
have ever been given since her time
that surpassed hers in brilliancy. For
the first year she occupied the execu-
tive mansion she left all social duties
to her daughter, but after that she at
tended to them all herself. She was
born in Maryland, and was an ideal
soldiers wife.
Mrs. James K. Polk was a woman
with charming manners and great tact.
She was very refined and gentle as
we'll as cultured. and won many warm
friends. To her sorrow she had no
children. Up to her time there had
always been dancing at the White
House receptions. AS she was a strict
Presbyterian, she did not approve of
tins, and there has never been dancing
at these entertainments since. In spite
of doing away with this amusement,
she was one of the most popular of the
occupiers of the executive mansion.
John Tyler is the only President up to
date who had two wives while in the
White House. His first spouse was
very beautiful, with a lovely complex
ion, big black eyes, and delicate feat
ures. At the time she took the position
of first lady of the land she was partly
paralyZed, and as she had grown-up
daughters left the entertaining for them
to do. His second had the honor of be-
ing the first bride ever brought to the
executive mansion. She was young,
clever and beautiful at the time. AL
though his term only lasted for eight
months after her marriage. she made
brilliant reputation as hostess. She
ha1 ho oh fII1
Mrs. Harrison was wife of President
of the United States for just one month.
When her husband had been chief exc
cutive that length of time he died. She
was never mistress of the White House,
as she did not come to Washington
with General Harrison, intending to join
him later. She was very beautiful in
youth and fond of quietness.
Martin Van Buren was widower be-
fore he entered the White House. SO, of
course, his wife cannot be counted
among it's mistresSes.
Mrs. Andrew Jackson did not live to
become mistress of the White House.
She died after her husband was elected
but before he was inaugurated. She
would have made a charming hostess
If she had survived, as she had the true
instinct of hospitality. She understood
the great art of making everybody feel
at home, which is one of the rareSt of
all gifts. Her husband, when he became
President, used to have cheese and other
edibles at his receptions.
Mrs. John Quincy Adams was an ex-
tremely delicate woman. 1t was the ut
most she could do to stand the fatigue
of public reception However, she was
always present at these entertainments
saving UP all her strength for such
events and seldom appearing at other
times. She was woman of great re-
fnement and literary tastes, and wrote
very pretty poetry. She used to serve
cake and wine at her receptions.
Mrs. Monroe was tall and graceful
with winning manners. She upheld the
dignity of the position of the first lady
of the land most charningly. The great
act of her life was performed before
she entered the White House as its mis-
tress. 1t was through her influence
that Madame Lafayette was released
from prison. Mr.. Monroe was at the
time Minister to the Court of st. Cloud
He decided to hold Mrs. Lafayette, who
was in prison and sentenced to DEATH
even though the Home Office objected
Mrs. Monroe volunteered to go in person
and ask for her release This she did
and SO tactfully managed it that that
very day Mrs. Lafayette was liberated.
Mrs. Madison was noted for her
beauty. She was like Mrs. Cleveland in
having remarkable memory for faces
and names. and this added largely to
her popularity. She also had a wonder
fully happy disposition, and was always
merry, While she was mistress of the
White House the stiff ceremo-