The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-21
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
= HER POINT OF VIEW =:
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DelnS the Wlte OF Methodist mlnlS-
ter" remarked a lady the other even
ing who was chatting with group
of friends in the upper window seat
at the governors reception. Looking
down the crash covered stairs could
be seen the moving procession of Visi-
tors as they passed out the front en-
trance, where the throng pressed
eager faces against the window panes
no doubt thinking like GLORY Nc
Quail" of the lots of good times and
we amt in 'em." Representative Fow,
expansive and not particularly decor
ative, directed their exit and, wander
ing about like a well meaning guar
dian angel, was Congressman Graham,
the governors successor, whose Coun
tenance beamed benignly at all. Out
and in the door toward the dining room
paced guests in evening dress and
among them were many officers in gilt
tering uniforms, the epaulettes of bri-
Eadier general and those of Lesser rank
flashing under the electric lights.
Dear mel" continued the speaker,
its horrid, this having to get up and
out at the end of four years. It's nicer
in the old world, where, if you belong
at all. you're there for life, not even
being barred out by any antics you
may see fit to cut up. Poor Mrs Hast
ings, how she must hate it all. I've
always thought the next minister's
wife must get certain amount of sat
isfaction in Criticizing her predecessors
| housekeeping. You know in some par
sonages the things are left just as they
| are here, and the new lady can surely
! see lots Of things to find fault about
if she is at all inclined that way.
Overhearing fragments of this con-
versation the truth of the comments
We're impressed on the listener. The
fact is you can live a good part of four
years in a house without getting at
tached to some portions of it. Now one
couldn't become violently fond of that
| big reception room with the red da-
mask on the walls and the white and
gold piano near the pillared alcove,
and yet one can fancy that in the
thoughts Of the gentle lady who has
, just left the executive mansion at Har-
| risburg must come pleasant memories
of the brilliant nights when in the long
| line of beautiful women she has stood
! by the massive figure of the governor
! of this great state with her arms filled
| with American beauty roses and the
/ soft color glowing in her cheeks as she
I received the homage of the greatest
! and the least who bowed before her,
! for whatever might have been the mis-
! takes of Dan" lovely Mrs. Hastings,
| with her gracious manner, her sweet
! dignity and exquisite tact, will always
| be remembered with affection and hon
| or. Few women in an exalted public
/ position have been more IDEAL in their
! conception of it's duties and RESPONSE
! bilities as has this fair woman with
| her wistful eyes and charming voice.
Probably she did not care much for
| that stately dining room with the mas
| sive sideboard, reaching to the CELL
| ing, and its ponderous furniture. And
| yet, surely there are pictures of state
| dinners before discord crept into the
! official family which must be pleasant
| to cherish There was one when a
great political leader whispered a
| weighty state secret as he leaned tow
| ard her during an hours conversation
| and with deep impressiveness asked
| her influence in the aid Of one who
| might some day be a powerful foe.
| a swift, intuitive Fash she saw the
| opportunity where a word could turn
| aside a threatened catastrophe at a
| particularly critical time. She said
| that word. and she can yet recall the
| thrill of relief that seemed to tighten
| the faces in the circle at left and right
| But sometimes she remembers other
magnificent feasts around that table
, when every face was a mask and al
most she felt that beneath their smil-
| ing the grimace of uuvoiced plotting
| could be detected.
Perhaps that little nook at the head
| of the big staircase in the light of the
| secluded window was dearer, or pleas
anter than all, the sunny chamber
where Baby Sarah laughed and played
unconscious of the shadows Of political
| intrigue or disappointment.
! The executive mansion is not 10 he
left silent because of the absence of a
child in the great rooms, for little Isa-
bel Stone is like a sprte in her gaiety
and ioveliness. Many people who had
| not seen Mrs Stone were amazed at
her youthfulness. She is the governors
second wife, and seems but little older
than his daughter, Mrs. Hickling. She
Is tall and has much color and knows
how to dress 10 perfection. At the in
augural ceremonies she wore a golden
brown cloth, and a big sable collar, a
brown hat with golden pheasant
breasts and the whole effect was very
| pleasing More than ALL the Observer