The herald., 1898-04-24
THE CLEVELAND FAMILY
aLIMPsES OF THEIR HOME
LIFE AT PRINCETON
Mrs. Cleveland and the Children Get
Much Enjoyment Out Of Their
Lovely Country Home
PRINCETON. N. J., April i, 1898.

PRINCETON. N. j., April !, 1898.
A sight familiar to residents of this little
college town is that of a pleasant, matronly
woman, walking briskly along the Streets
followed at distance of two or three steps
by heavily-built man, who seems to have
difficulty in keeping up with her. The cou-
pie exchange friendly greetings with the
people whom they meet as they walk
along. They seem to be known to every
body in the village, and If the inquiring
stranger fails to recognize them any citi-
zen can tell him that they are Grover
Cleveland and his wife, who, a little more
than u year ago, moved out of the White
House to make way for their successors.
The ease with which a man may step
from even the highest official place in this
country back to the ranks of ordinary citi-
zenship has often been commented on as
one Of the unique features Of our American
scheme Of government. In no case has it
ever been more strikingly exemplified than
in that Of the portly gentleman who may
be seen any day In the streets of Princeton.
Fourteen months ago he was steering tho
ship of state in it's more or less troubled
course, while his wife had equal promi-
nence as the first lady of the land. Now
they have become as absolutely absorbed
into the life of the quiet college town as
though Mr.. Grover Cleveland had never
been anything more than one Of its we'll
to-do, easy-going citizens. And he suffers
no more from the curious interest of the
American public than If that public had
never thought of bestowing on him the
highest gift within it's power
very quiet sort of life is that Squire
Cleveland leads at Princeton. He has no
business cares and there Is apparently
nothing more serious to bother his head
than the comfort of his family and his
own enjoyment When he went out of Office
there were many rumors as to his future
course, but he seems content to settle
down to the life of a country gentleman.
thereby following the example of WASH
ington and most of the early presidents.
Indeed, it seems that a satisfactory occu-
patton for ex-presidents has yet to be dis
covered. A few, like Grant, made essays
in business, but without much success.
John Quincy Adams went back to cor
gress and died there. Buchanan, Grant
and Van Buren, wrote books after their
presidential experience. Benjamin Harri-
son has practiced law, as Arthur did be-
fore him. But most ex-preadents have
found no occupation that seemed suitable
after leaving the White House, and have
been content to live out the remainder of
their lives in peaceful retirement. This
Mr.. Cleveland evidently finds to be the
most congenial
Mr.. Cleveland usually rises between T.,
and each morning. Atty breakfast he
reads the newspapers and the mail which
Is brought to him, or II he feels so inclined
he strolls down the village street to the
postoffice and calls for his letters in per-
son. After this matter Is attended to he
may spend an hour or two in chatting with
his wife or with his children. of whom he
Is very proud. If any improvements are
being made within his spacious grounds
he superintends them in person and So
passes the time until luncheon. In the
afternoon the morning letters are ans.
wered, and then the ex-president ustiallv
goes for drive, either with his wife or
alone. He is fond of fine horses and takes
pride in having a handsome pair in his own
stable, a characteristic that was noted
during his stay in Washington. But he
never cares to handle the reins himself,
and let's his coachman attend to all the
driving.
Very often one of the ex-president's New
York friends comes out to take dinner
with him. On such occasions Mr.. Cleve-
land usually drives to the station to meet
them and strolls up and down the platform
while waiting for the train to arrive. After
dinner, which is always a formal affairs
with the Clevelands, there is an hour or
two of conversation on whatever topics
are uppermost in interest, n game Of bill
liards, and then by II o'clock, or there
abouts. the lights in the Cleveland mansion
go out.