The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-08-07

MRS. c.. K. DAVIS SOCIAL
CAREER IN WASHINGTON

with much tact and charm. They dared
to do what no one else appeared to have
the courage to attempt. Witnesses OF
the episode have declared it worthy a
place in the great novel of Washington
life which has never been written. The
wonder is that Mrs. Davis herself did
not incorporate it in the novel of Wash
ington which she is reputed to have writ
ten and which was recently published
anonymously under the title of 'Despot-
ism and Democracy for it would very
nicely have fitted the despotism of her
theme.
after this Mrs. Davis persisted in her
efforts to secure recognition. She bore
herself with grace and tact. If there
were smarts in her heart she concealed
them beneath her smiles. She studied to
please. She was patient. Gradually she
made progress. Little by little society
unbent. Her husbands rapid rise in the
Senate and in the esteem of the public
generally-for he was truly great
senator-helped her very much. His
place was so high that people could not
90 on forever ignoring her on account
of a foolish and cruel prejudice. When
Mr.. Davis became chairman of the Sen
ate committee on foreign relations her
success was assured. She was received
everywhere and the wives of other sen1-
tors called on her. 1t cannot be said
that she was ever cordially welcomed, =
that she became an active and integral
part of the social circle. But all that
form demanded was accorded her.
Her greatest triumph came when Mr..
Davis was appointed member of the
Paris peace commission by President -Ac-
Kinley The wives of other members OF
the commission hesitated whether or not
they should accompany their husbands to
Paris on this mission. They did not
want to be compelled to associate so IN
timatelv with Mrs. Davis. But the de-
sire to visit the French capital under
such favorable auspices overcame their
reluctance in every instance. All went,
and Mrs. Davis set out to win their APP
prevail if not their affection. She had
royal time in Paris, was voted one of the
most strikingly beautiful women Amer
lea had ever sent to the other side, and
even her women companions from the
United States had little fault to find
with her on her return.
Gust as Mrs. Davis had virtually won
her battle-a signal sign of her victory
being the consent of the wife of a former
governor of Minnesota to receive her at
her home at Washington for the sake OF
political and social peace-Mr. Davis fell
i'll and died. With her famous husband
= Doric 1nncrar haH
high social rank Her few friends rallied
round her, and she never lacked for COM
pany. But high society again held aloof.
Now this courageous and charming wom-
an makes a new bid for happiness by
wedding man fifteen years her junior,
a man with good face and fair social
position in his home and apparently plen-
ty of money.
''Rev, Mr.. Dunlap of st. Johns church
performed the ceremony. The bride wore
a trailing dress of Maltese lace and pom
padour silk from Paris. The entire effect
was a cameo tint, with just enough of
color to make an artistic concession to
bridal white when donned by widow.
Her glossy black hair was worn in the
wavy pompadour so becoming to her, and
small tiara of seed pearls was its only
ornament. A beautiful necklace of TO-
settles of seed pearls with pendants and
tassels and long earrings and brooch in
the same style were also worn. These
Jewels belonged to the brides grand
mother, and were last worn by their
present owner at the coronation in Eng
land last summer The blue velvet box
in which the set is kept has the date 1915
and the name of it's first possessor
stamped at the base in gilt"