The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-04
News ano Gossip Of Washington
ny Luc1EN JULIEN WALLER.
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Washington. Nov 3.-(Special)-A friend
lately come out of Princeton gives me
charming picture of the home life of the
Clevelands, who paid him the cherished
honor of receiving him. Whilst all that
Is within the portal of that home IS
sacred from pryiag instrusion, as the
home of every man should be, II Is OF
wide human interest to know that JOY
and laughter dwell with the illustrious
man who did but yesterday give noble
voice to the hope of the nation
Mr.. Cleveland is growing old more
gracefully, more happily. and with more
calm dignity than any other one of the
long line of the Presidents. To para
PHI ase what he once said in another re-
lation, he Is far removed from the tumult
ana the chickering's of the world. as In
deed Is every man to whom the kindly
fates have given wife and children and
home. which perhaps after all are the
only riches worth living and striving for.
The roomy old house of the Clevelands
is filled all day long with sunshine and
all night long with peace. The children
romp and make merry. and free from
ca the father and mother lead the mer-
riment. The eldest, the Baby Ruth" of
the White House, is now a well-grown
and lovely girl of II, very like her gra-
cious mother whom all Americans came
quickly to reverence. The youngest,
Richard-the only boy of the household
Is lusty youngster Of four. The other
three children are stout and strong, and
all Of them are wonderfully bright. So
rious sickness has never invaded the
home of the Clevelands. That home has
not known domestic grief.
The dear burdens of motherhood have
lent added charms of grace and sweet
ness to Mrs. Cleveand's face since she
quilted the White House, nearly six years
ago; but in manner, in vivacity and good
heartedness. she is still as young as.
when the bride of tho White House, the
nation paid her its homage. She is
great home-woman, finding the full meas
ure of happin ess in her husband and chill
drcn. Her principal pastime is the very
housewife1y and amiable one of raising
chickens. in which she is more than ordi-
narily successful. She sets the hens with
her own hands, and likewise feeds the
chickens. She even has names or desig-
nations for some of the fowls, just as if
she were the happy young wife of a small
farmer. She gathers the eggs in the
morning and gives the happy family at
breakfast eggs grown on the premises"
where the family supply of milk and but
ter are also produced. Her home is one
of ease and perfect good taste, and it is
a home in the holier sense. Often there
are guests, and scarcely is there a day
when some friend does not break bread
with the family.
Mr. Cleveland leads the ideal life of the
retired gentleman of scholarly tastes and
studious habits. He spends much Tina
with his books; and as might be expected
his letter mail Is heavy. though his per-
sonal correspondent is small. His habits,
as the habits of the entire household, are
regular, though there is no slavish ODE
dence to the clock, or, more properly,
the clocks, for there is one in every room
of the house. In fine weather he and
Mrs. Cleveland frequently drive out Lat
terly he has been much interested in
farm which he purchased a year or two
ago, ten miles from Princeton. His in
terest in Princeton University Is real and
constant, and he Is the hero of the stu
dents, who occasionally serenade him
with noisy but musical manifestation of
their good will.
Thus is the first American of our time
passing to age in ideal grace, dignity and
happiness.