The Indianapolis journal., 1903-07-19
GEN. JACKsON's MANNER.
A Reminiscence Mrs. Harriet Lane
Johnston Was Fond of Relating.

New York Sun.
THE late Harriet Lane johnston said
New York woman who was an intimate
friend of the former mistress OF the White
House. having lived SO long with her
statesman uncle, James Buchanan, had
many interesting "reminiscences Of him
and his times One of them which she was
fond of relating was ali incident told TO her
by Mr.. Buchanan of the social career of
General Jackson while he was President
Mr.. Buchanan was in the United States
Senate at the time.
LAS Mrs Johnston related the incident
a famous Baltimore lady. one Of the leaders
in society of that day and related to an
English family of title and distinction, had
spent a long time in England during jack
sons administration, her family connections
admitting her TO the inner circles of aristo-
cratic and royal society. George w was
then King, and short time before this
lady left England TO return 10 America
she was presented TO him. He confided to
her a message to President Jackson. which
he requested her to deliver In person.
'The reputation his political enemies had
made for Jackson was such that the lady
was most unfavoTably impressed, never
having met the rugged old soldier In fact,
the idea of 'Jacksonian vulgarity was quite
the popular one, and there were many
stories of the generals offensive application
of ii in his social as well as business con-
tact with visitors.
Consequently, this high-bred message
bearer from the King of England was very
much disinclined to personal interview
with this President of boorish reputation,
Dut, ndNlhs undertake1 10 carry out the
wishes of the King, she determined TO un-
dergo the trial. prepared to be greatly
shocked al what she might see and hear.
Being we'll acquainted with James Buchan-
an, she begged him TO accompany her on
her mission and introduce her 10 the Pres
ident.
My uncle escorted the lady to the
White House, Mrs. Johnston related merri-
ly. and leaving her in the reception room
he went to the Presidents room to arrange
for the interview.
He found the President alone his face
was covered with bristling beard of sew
eral days growth. He was wearing a
dressing gown which was very much soiled
ana greatly the worse for past service.
He was smoking an old clay pipe.
1t was a disheartening moment for Mr..
Buchanan, for TO present the refined and
elegant lady 10 the President OF the United
States In such attire and personal uncouth-
ness seemed TO him but little better than
about the distinguished woman who had
come 10 seek an introduction 10 him. on an
errand from the King OF England, and
made bold TO say:
But general you ought not 10 see her
without making an appropriate toilet"
=" The grim old soldier took his pipe out
of his mouth. stretched himself TO mis- full
height, shot a merry look at his audacious
social prompter from beneath his shaggy
eyebrows and exclaimed. with some force
full adJuncts of language that may as well
not be repeated:
buchanan / knew man once who
succeeded admirably in getting along sim
ply by minding his own business.
He told my uncle TO go back and wait
with the lady and he would see her pres
ception room and awaited the Presidents
coming In a torture of suspense.
In a remarkably short time General
Jackson entered the room. lie was neatly