The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-17

Habits of Thought-MOre Firm in
His Convictions Than Ever Before.
Mrs. Bryan Pays More Attention TO
Personal Appearance-Has Not So
Much TO Say Respecting Her Hus-
bands Affairs ns Formerly.
W. E. Curtis in Chicago Record.
Omaha, Neb.. July 13.-Those who have
had an opportunity to observe Col. Bryan
under various conditions agree that there
have been notable changes In his char
acter and manners and in his habits of
thought since he came so prominently be-
fore the public in 1886 a candidate for
the presidency. In appearance he has
aged considerably during the last four
years. He has lost most of the hair on
the top of his head and retains only the
heavy cataract that hangs as a fringe
around the base OF the cerebellum and
rests upon the collar of his coat. It has
a natural curl at the bottom, and is kept
with great deal of care. Mrs. Bryan and
the children hove TO stroke and comb this
precious hair, and its owner loves to
have them.
Mr. Bryan's face is much stronger and
fuller than it was four years ago. He
has gained considerable flesh, notwith-
standing his arduous work upon the
stump and platform, and weighs between
thirty and forty pounds more than in
1896. tipping the scales at an easy 200.
This increase shows in the face as well
as in the regions of the waistcoat. His
cheeks are fuller the dimple in his chin
is more apparent, and his jowl is heavier.
That MIR. Bryan leads an abstemious life
and eats frugal fare is easily evident from
his clear eyes and complexion. He Is a
man of small appetite and simple tastes,
neither a glutton nor a wine bibler, al
though not a teetotaller either in theory
or practice. He never uses wines or beer
on his table, although he sometimes
drinks both when offered him at the Ia
bles of others; but he keeps a bottle of
whisky-or rather Mrs. Bryan does-on
the top shelf of the pantry not for con-
vivial, but for medicinal purposes. This
bottle has been called for at times to re-
vive the dropping strength and spirits of
the statesmen from Arkansas, Missouri,
Kentucky and other states, but is never
produced until called for
If you are expecting to stay long" said
the gentleman from North Carolina 10 the
gentleman from South Carolina as they
were leaving the hotel for their candi-
dates cottage. you better put in couple
of drinks before you go. They never Of
fer their visitors liquor out there"
Mr.. Bryan is addicted to milk and iced
tea, but he cares as little about his food
and his drink as any man living and Mrs
Bryan is equally Indifferent. The appear
ance of the cottage inside and out indi-
Gates that she is neat and careful house
keeper, but she takes more interest in
Buckles History of Civilization than
in her cook book. She keeps only one SER
want, Swede maid-of-all- Those
who have had the honor of dining with
the Bryans say that the fare was plain,
but plentiful, and served without formal
tty Ruth, the eldest daughter who is
1e, changed the plates, and the cook
Drought the viands from the kitchen They
live just in the same manner as the aver
age Lincoln family of their means, in a
most simple and democratic way.
Col. Hay, the Secretary of State. has an
engraved portrait Of famous cardinal of
the hfteenth century that might be easily
mistaken for President Mckinley. Col
Bryan also would make a handsome priest,
sand the scarlet robes of the cardinal have
seldom set off finer face or figure. He
has more of the physical intellectual and
AdNllAANdlipiIS TOT an luedl Clergy
man than Mckinley. His abstemiousness.
his indifference to luxury his emotional
mature and his intensity of purpose would
have made him Loyola, or a Savonarola
or Peter the Hermit II he had lived in
the Middle Ages.
Bryan's face, as l have said, is stronger
the lines around his mouth are frmer. and
snow more repose Of manner than former
~ He has lost that restless inouirine ex-
preston thar 70 IL aha l.
and he evidently has more strength and
commence, more elaboration and determi-
nation, and less energy. His nervous i'm
petuousness has been subdued He is gov
erned more by reason and less by impulse
Experience has taught him where he is
weak and he has mended himself He has
learned his strength, and that has given
him confidence.
Mr. Bryan is addicted to introspection
ana Is in the habit of discussing his
thoughts and emotions with his wife who
Is an admiring critic and has made him
more OF an egotist than he used to be-
HIS friends in Lincoln say that he
mas become convinced that he is a
man Of destiny; that history Is
waiting 20 record his acts in the resen-
GRAFTON OF society, for he is absolutely
certain to become president of the United
states sooner or later. His purpose is 70
establish a reign of democracy, to ele-
vate the poor and deprive the rich OF the
power they now exercise These ideas
nave been assilously cuiivate d bv Mrs
Bryan, whose thoughts are all centered
IN him. This accounts for Bryan's posi-
tVeness in political matters. Those who
Know him best say that he would have
declined the Kansas City nomination II
10 TO had been LEFT out of the platform
ana that his threat TO do 50 was no b,uf
He would have remained the candidate of
the Populists and Silver Republicans aud
would have drawn most Of the democratic
votes.
Mr.. Bryan's intimates used 10 thing
that he was iishty and vacilating. that
ne was inclined to follow new falacies
and predicted that he would adhere Ia
the silver issue only until something
equally taking attracted his attention
And, while that might have been his dis
position four years ago. he is an entire
ly different man to-day. His political
convictions have become so rooted and
grounded as TO be part OF his inteliec-
Al. tual fiber. He has discussed them so
ten and reflected upon them so much