The age-herald., 1898-12-18
MRS. M'KINLEY'S
 XMAS SHOPPING

Washington, December 16.-(Speclal)- Mrs. Mckinley is doing her own Christmas shopping this year. Nearly every day her handsome coupe can be seen standing be- fore the large dry goods establishments and toy shops while the first lady of the land goes about choosing presents for each mem Der of the cabinet and their wives and the the various members of her family and that of her husband.
 Last year Mrs. Mckinley did little or scarcely any shopping for herself, but dele gated this duty to some of the young ladies of the cabinet circles. Mrs. Mckinley has been steadily growing stronger physically since her entrance to the White House, as is shown by the fact that she Is under taking the arduous task of buying the pres ents herself which she and the president will give way. Mrs Mckinley is well known figure in the shops and stores It has become to be her recognized wish not to be molested by attention from the clerks. She prefers to move about the floors herself and when anything specially attracts her at tention to call clerk and have it laid aside or to ask the price. Having more Christmas funds now than when she was merely the wife of a poor congressman, she does not have to be as careful in her selections and if she likes thing very sell dom takes the trouble to inquire about the price or to stop to look at her shopping book to see whether not she can af- ford 1t.
 Mrs. Mckinley, by the way, has come to be looked upon in Washington as one of the handsomest dressed women in the capi tai. Her gowns are elaborate and always made in the latest style. She pays great deal of attention to her costumes Madame Grundy says she is the best gowned wo- man who has been in the executive man. sion since the regime of Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston. Most of her gowns are made high neck. She never wears decollete gown but often has the neck filled in only with lace work. This is in strong contrast to most of the fashionable women of the capital who have gained a reputation throughout the smart society of the coun- try for the extremely decollete gowns they wear.
 Mrs. Cleveland when she was here under took to reform the fashion of dress and certainly did modify the style to consid- erable extent. Whenever she appeared in a iow-cut gown it was either filled in with lace or else cut much higher than those worn by the majority of the women who would appear at her receptions. The wo- men of the white house can and do have very decided influence when they care to exert 1t on the society of Washington. It was said that Mrs. Cleveland actually made it the fashion to be good mothers. The eff feet of her devoted home life is still felt here, so I am told. Mrs. Mckinley, while she is great invalid, sustains her position With great dignity and no woman who is notoriously rapid or talked about Is invited to the white house. It makes no difference how well she is received in what is known here as the smart circle. She observes strictly the American Sunday at the white house, making the day light for the ser
  to take the day off. Whenever they are away from home she and the president iIl- sist upon spending the day as quietly as if at their own residence.