Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-05-23
The President and His Wife.

The President and His Wife.
The life Of almost constant anxiety
which President Mckinley has led iol
more than q quarter century would
have broken down man Of less TO-
bust physique and inferior self COM
mand. Through the whole Of it be
has laid his political plans, carried
them into execution, kept in touch
with the changes Of public sentiment,
administered high Offices involving in
their duties a vast mass Of detail,
taking part in numberless public
functions, eaten heartily, slept we'll,
defed bodily fatigue, and maintained
an equipoise Of temper and a cheerful
calmness Of demeanor which have
aroused the wonder Of all with whom
be has come into close contact.
His invalid wife has been bis COM
panion in everything, and her care
and comfort his first thought. No
words could overdraw the picture Of
bis devotion, and bis bitterest foes
have qualified their criticisms with
the admission that, once across the
sacred threshold Of bis home, he was
secure from attack on any score what.
ever. Nor has this tenderness failed
OF appreciation. In his wife's eyes
he has always been not only the best
husband in the world, but the great
est man; and 1t was touching to wit
ness her complete absorption in his
movements, words, looks, whenever
she was present at any ceremony in
which he figured, or her childlike
wonder that all mankind did not
share her estimate Of his grandeur Of
intellect and character.
The president has always exerted
over bis wiie's will a power akin to
hypnotism. 1t Is no secret that, dur.
ing recent years, her infrmity has
caused her to be more like a petted
child than a mature woman. In ev.
cry practicable way her husband has
humored her wishes; but there have
been times when it has been necessary
for him to decide questions more
promptly than she would or could
and then, with unwavering frmness,
he has announced his purpose and
held to it. This has always been
done with such gentleness Of voice
and manner that she has been soon
ready to yield her preference to his.
Never, when 1t could be avoided, has
he crossed her wishes in any way,
even though concession might involve
the utmost inconvenience to himself;
nor In these circumstances has he
ever displayed the slightest sign Of
impatience. Notable among these
instances was her resolve, against The
judgment Of all nearest to her, to risk
attending the inaugural ceremonies
on March 4, and the ball in the even
ing, at both Of which her partlcipa-
ton caused delays and other disar.
range'nsnts Of the program. The lat
est case in point was the trip to the
West, which she insisted upon taking
In spite Of warnings that her health
might not prove equal to the strain. |
In bis sparing use Of bis power, in
deed, may lie the secret Of its effect
iveness on those rare occasions when |
it has been important that the presi-
dent should command. 1t has long
been bis belief that to the exertion Of
bis will his wife owed her rally from
two or three sinking turns which car
ried her to the very door OF death.
When she has appeared to be past
human aid, he has stayed at her side,
refusing to give her up, and by his
constant urging stimulated her to
make a fresh effort in her own behalf,
and thus brought her back to a nor.
NAL state. Her physicians have
freely admitted that, in certain crises,
bis sheer personal force has accom-.
plished what their art could not.
L.
Use Coke dandruff cure, warrant.
A. .l - -. |