The Washington herald., 1906-12-01
AT THE
WHITE HOUSE

The conversation scraps. overheard in
the lower regions OF the White House,
to which tourists are restricted in their
visits to the home Of the Chief Executive
with the exception OF the East Room
offer a delightful hodge-podge Of personal
and vague gossip.
Two charmingly attractive women stood
before the portrait of Mrs. Roosevelt yes
terday morning commenting on the merits
of the painting Said one: I recognize
that coat of Mrs. RooseveIts. In fact,
I came very near being the owner Of it.
[ was shopping in New York a few years
ago, and went into fitting-rOom NJ H0l-
landers 10 attend 10 some alterations on a
Jacket I had been looking in vain for a
long coat. and in the ftting-rOOm that
identical garment of the picture was
thrown across a chair-back Directly my
eyes rested upon it, said 10 the saleswo-
man, There Is the coat I want ] was
just about to try it on when a second
clerk burst into the room and made a grab
for the coat. I protested, and she ex-
claimed, breathlessly, oh, but the coat
is already sold. I have just now made the
sale to Mrs. Roosevelt, the wife of the
President of the United States.
And those who heard the story seemed
to believe it.
I can tell you something rather in
teresting about this picture" said an
other-a gracefully middle-aged woman
to several companions, standing before
the portrait Of Mrs. Hayes. My aunt
owns the frame that originally held the
canvass. You may not recall the fact
that the portrait Of Mrs. Hayes was the
gift of the Women's Christian Temper
anCe Union. which, out of gratitude TO
Mrs. Hayes pronounced temperance
views, bestowed upon the nation this
beautiful and worthy memorial of the
lady. The portrait was pronounced very
fine and true TO life.
Whether or not it was entirely the
fault of the dealer. to whom was intrust-
ed the framing OF the painting. I cannot
say. All that I am certain of is that when
it was delivered at the White House Mrs
Hayes portrait was set in d massive
gilt frame designed in large repousse
punches of grapes.
1t was a very elaborate frame. but
judge of the chagrin of the Woman's
Temperance Union when the symbomcal
I
picture was hustled speedily out Of the
White House, and its frame changed 20
the one Of present conservative pattern.
Ny aunt had just given an order to the
same dealer for a frame for her mother
in-laws portrait She liked the grapes
and found them quite In character, iEas-
much as her husbands mother had never
shown an aversion to the juice Uf the
fruit
And that is how my aunt happens TO
have the grape frame that was originally
designed for Mrs. Hayes portrait in her
Philadelphia drawing-room.
The portrait of Mrs. Benjamin Harri-
son was likewise the subject Of personal
comment by another group.
THAT is a lovely picture Of Caroline
Scott" remarked a sweet-faced, elderly
lady TO her younger companion. I knew
her as a little girl, and throughout her
life. I seconded the resolution, offered
by Mrs. Ellen Harlin Walworth, that
the Daughters Of the American Revoiu-
ton should present to the country por-
trait of the first president general Of the
society IN loving memory OF her efficient
service.
Daniel Huntington was the artist
selected TO paint the pDl II ait II - OH
altogether charming likeness, but with
one detail I have always found fault
knowing Caroline as intimately as ! dld,
I am certain that she never wore pearls
or any other ornament about her neck.
It was Mrs. Harrisons fancy to appear
with as little jewelry as possible. she
did not possess the average woman's ioVe
for ornaments of personal adornment;
neither did she care especially for Jewels
I am quite certain that the pearls in the
portrait were the artists idea OF the
jewels Mrs. Harrison might nave worn
as the first lady of the land, not the orna-
ments which Caroline Scott would nave
chosen 70 wear or to have painted in her
portrait"
party Of young people had been study
ing the enlarged photographs Of the Pres
ldent, taken during his trip to the Yosem-
lite and California.
well. IL I were as big man as the
President, and could afford to travel
around where trees grow large enough 10
drive through the middle OF the trunks,
I wouldn't be content to have these horrid
old carpets and this fringed yellow fur
niture even in the basement rooms CT the
White House They tell me these rooms |
are used IS dressing-rooms for the Diplo-
matte Corps at state receptions. l Won
der what the foreign nabObs think Of this |
carpet, anyway" scoffed youthful critic,