The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-22
QUEEREST FEMALE CRANKS.
Washington Post.

Df4ylOa0S Oh DRESSES
Washington Post.
''The queerest of the female cranks to
visit the White House made her appear
ance shortly after Mrs. Roosevelts install
lation as first lady of the land said the
attache who told Of the queer male cranks.
she was faded little old woman. Her
shoulders were shrouded in an old shawl.
and in the ends of this shawl she had
swaddled up little, very DID, toothlesS,
and half blind skye terrier.
Good morning, serfs,' said the little old
lady, smiling pleasantly at the doorkeep-
ers and ushers, I'm Cleopatra, you know.
'All hands made Cleopatra a reverence,
and she undid the loose ends Of the shawl
swaddling the aged skye terrier and showed
the dog to them.
"T thought I'd leave poor little Char
mion with Mrs. Roosevelt. you know, said
the the little old Ssa woman IAN rather rather pathetically.
tors in the pyramids shortly, and the pyra-
mids are so damp lately that 1 fear Char
mion will take cold if take her along with
me. So I thought / would leave her with
Mrs Roosevelt while I am gone and she
gaZed affectionately at the little old terrier
and stroked it's head.
"They told her that Mrs. Roosevelt was
out of the city, and she went away with
the decrepit terrier, saying that she would
return later, but she didn't come back
Another of the female cranks who called
at the White House soon after Mrs. Roose-
velts arrival was a middle-aged woman,
none too well dressed, but very neat and
tidy. When she got in she beckoned one Of
the ushers aside.
Now, 1 wouldn't have you mention it
for worlds she said in a whisper, but how
shall arrange to send Mrs. Roosevelt some
Of my cast-off dresses without hurting her
feelingS?
'The usher, who, until the woman spoke.
had no idea that her mind was wrong,
ducked at this and made some evasive re-
"'They tell me that the poor thing hasn't
a single, solitary stitch fit to be seen,' went
on the woman. It's a sin and a shame
scandalous! Now I have such millions and
millions of dresses that / could spare just
as easily as not. And we are just exactly
the same figure, too, aren't We? regarding
her 225 pounds Of avoirdupois with great
satisfaction.
the usher could think of anything to say
to her, were made by Worth and Felix
laws me! how that poor Worth man has
torn his hair and ground his teeth IN think
goodness gracious sakes alive, how Felix
has despaired of ever doing me justice!'
"'Well might he, madam said the usher
for the lack of anything better to say.
So went on the woman, graciously,
when I heard that Mrs. Roosevelt was
actually without anything to wear. why.
decided to ascertain from her If she would
feel badly or hurniliated-you understand
If should-very delicately. you know-pre-
sumo to send her about three drayloads of
my dresses that / shall probably not wear
any more, although they are almost as good
as new, every one of EN-.
Madam said the usher, she would be
everlastingly grateful to you for your
thoughtfulness. Send them along, by all
means.
"'Oh. thanks, so muchp exclaimed the
liberal-souled woman, smiling radiantly,
and she went her way. The three drayloads
of Worth and Felix dresses have yet to be
drawn up at the goods-receiving back door
of the White House, nor did the generous
minded woman who had been the despair
of the two great costume designers ever re-
turn to explain the drayman's tardiness."