The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-10-14

became president and the little McKeez
ruled in their stead
-Four brides have become mistresses ~
the mansion-Mrs. Abram Van Buren,
Mrs. John Tyler, Mrs Bliss and Mrs
Cieveland-yet only one president has
been married in the White house; that
was when sweet Frances Folsom pro-
nounced her vows. The country was ex-
cited forty years before when President
Tyler married Miss Gardiner in the
church of the Ascension, New York and
brought her straight to WASHINGTON.
"here there was a grand reception This
was the first presidential wedding in orr
history. The first Mrs. Tyler was an in
valid, but her feebleness did not stand
IN the way of great usefulness, and sha
was much beloved as the friend of the
poor
She was unable to stand the strain
of fashionable social duties so her xon,s
wife, Mrs. Robert Tyler. was the Official
First LADY,; her daughter, Mrs. Semple
relieving young Mrs. Tyler when possible
Mrs. Robert Tyler wrote to her sisters In
the North of her mother-in-law's room.
II Is most quiet and comfortable re-
treat, with an air of repose and sanctf
" ABOUT 1t; for here, mother, with Z
smile OF welcome on her sweet, calm face
IS always found, seated in her large arm
chair with a small stand by her. side
which holds her Bible and prayer-book,
with her knitting usually in her hands
always ready to sympathize with me IN
any little inconsistencies which may dis
turb me, and to ask me question about
all you dear ones. because she knows
want to talk about you"
Inc executive mansion was a place Of
much more than usual attraction. reads
a paper in President Van Buren's. dav
IN consequence Of the appearance there
OF the bride of the presidents son. who
was greatly admired Another bridc1
Miss Betty" as Zachary Tayor's daugn-
ter Mrs Bliss, was called, was warmly
received. Mrs. Taylor would not appear
at official functions, so Miss Betty was
perforce First lady" But not for long,
III little more than a year after his in
auguration, the White house was draned
In mourning for the second chief to lie
dead within its walls. The first president
Tor whom the bells of Washington tolJed
a month after he took the oath of ofios
was the Hero of Tippecanoe." Mrs. Har-
rlson was then making ready to come IN
MIN. Both Mrs. Taylor and Mrs Harri-
son felt that care and responsibility kin
ed their husbands. Twice has the Cvbita
mouse stood swathod in black while it's
mistress lay dead within First when
Mrs. Tyler died; next, when Mrs. Benia-
min Harrison ''fell asleep in Christ"
MRS Fillmore died at Wizards hotel.
Her daughter, Miss Abigail Fillmore, even
curing her fragile mothers lifetime hal
begun to bear the burdens and wear the
honors of First lady" To Mrs FIJI
more, the executive mansion owes it's
hrst library. The place was almost de-
void of books when she went there: in
huenced by her, Mr.. Fillmore asked con-
gress for the necessary appropriation and
forthwith a big, pleasant room was fur
nlshed with good books, and here Mrs.
Fillmore surrounded herself with her lit
tie home comforts and Abigail brougbr
her harp. piano, and guitar Mrs. Frank
lin Pierce, although an invalid bore ND
braYely under the fatigues of her posi-
uon She was very pious, and her
scrupies in regard to keeping the Sab
bath, had an influence upon public life.
Each Sunday morning we are told
by her historian, "of her four years STAY
in the White house. she would Request,
Ill her gentle, conciliatory way. all the
attaches of the mansion to go to church.
Mrs. Andrew Johnson was another in
valid wife of a president; her mantle fell
upon her daughter, Martha Patterson.
Louisa Adams, the talented and accom-
plished wife of our sixth president lost
her health soon after her entrance to the
White house. 1t was during her reign
that Lafayette was the nations guest.
spending several weeks of his stay in
America in the mansion. 1t was durslg
Mrs, Polk S occupancy that dancing was
discontinued at White house functions 1t
was never resumed.
Our first lady of the White house never
lived in the building which now bears
that name tits cornerstone was not laid
till 1922. bestowed upon it in honor of
her early home, the white house
where the engagement of Martha Gusts
and Gen. Washington took place" The
first occupant of our executive mansion
was Abigail Adams. She was one of the
strongest ablest, wholesomest of women.
and though she was in the mansion leSs-,
than six months, her impression abides
there to this day. But of all the women
who ever lived in the White house, Dolly
Madison. perhaps, left most indelibly the
stamp of her character upon it. During
her reign, people went there not only be-
cause it was the presidents house, but
because it was socially the most delight
full place in the world. She was merry
intellectual and generous
Almost ranking with Dolly Madison and
Mrs. Cleveland, Harriet Lane President
Buchanan's niece, may be regarded as
one of the most brilliant and popular
women who ever presided over the White
house. Her uncle was a bachelor. Many
OF our ''frst ladies' have been Lady.
Bountifuls'' to the poor. Piety. too, has
been their marked characteristic.
IT will be seen that the purple of our
republic is not always a light burden to
the women who must wear it. The
hearts of the people go out to Mrs
Roosevelt in earnest sympathy and with
sincere hope that she may find more
roses than many others have found in
the pathway of public service.
-Myrta L. Avary.