The Washington herald., 1907-05-27

Children Her Most Decided Iralt.
When Mrs. Mckinley came to Washing
ton as the wife Of the President there
was naturally an interest in social and
official circles. and. in fact. among the
people Of the Capital generally, as TO her
personality.
Although she had spent the sessions Of
Congress here while her husband was a
member Of the House Of Representatives.
she was little known. her illness pre-
venting her participating in social func-
tions Apparently she had no desire 10
shine in a social way, preferring the COM
pany Of her husband and a few intimate
friends TO more general association.
The devotion Of the McKinleys to each
other, and particularly Mr. MCKinley's
constant care Of his invalid wife, was
known 70 a small number Of people only
at that time. It was not until they took
UP their residence at the White House
that the loving care and regard Of the
President for Mrs. Mckinley and her
great affection for him and pride in the
greatness he had attained became known
even to many of those who had been ac-
quainted personally with them during the
Presidents career in Congress.
Nearly every White House family has
been subjected 70 more or less adverse
criticism by Washington gossips. Most
of this has been unfounded. and nearly
circulated about the private habits of
those who resided in the Executive Man
sion have been utterly untrue. But no
word Of scandal ever touched the Nc
Kinleys.
Family Life Ideal.
Everything that the curious world heard
Of them and their ways dealt with an
ideal family life. and people began TO ap-
preci8te something Of the nobility Of the
Presidents personal character and the
beautiful forutude with which Mrs. Nc
KinIey bore her suffering.
For more than twenty years Mrs. Nc
Kinley was an invalid. Since the death
Of her children she had been afflicted
with a nervous disease. and required al
most constant attention. In al that time
her husband had been constant in his
devotion to her, sacrificing many pleas
ures to give her comfort, and caring only
for her welfare. To her intimate friends
Mrs. Mckinley never tired of praising
these traits Of Mr.. NcKinleys character
lie was to her the perfect man and hus-
band. Her affection for him was mani
fest 10 all who came in contact with them
in the White House, and his devotion to
her was that Of a lover.
It was evident To all who saw Mrs Nc
Kinley that she had suffered. Her face
showed that but her physical disabilities
had. if anything brought 10 her cOunts-
nance that sweetness which comes from
trials bravely borne. Despite her bodily
troubles. however, she persisted In per
forming as far as possible those duties
which the public expects from the First
Lady Of the Land
At the White House receptions she sat
i'm a chair at the left of the President,
and on the right Of the line Of standing
women of the Cabinet circle. For all
who came TO these affairs she had a
bright smile. with the addition Of a pleas
ant word 20 those she knew personally.
She did not follow the handzhaking Gus
tom of White House social functions and
a slance at the delicate, fragile hands.
usually folded in her lap. explained why.
Surrounded by Friends.
Nearly every evening friends Of the
Mci-aleys came to the White House 70
pass the evening with Mrs. Mckinley in
one Of the parlors on the lower floor.
while the President was working at his
desk in the Office section of the mansion.
Whenever Nj Mckinley had the oppor-
tunity. he would slip down TO the parlOr
to have a brief chat with the callers, but
on these occasions he never left the room
without exchanging few words with his
wife. Euchre was Mrs. McKinley's reg
ular evening amusement, and she was
always ready and anxious TO take a hand
in the game.
Twice a day, usually. Mrs. Mckinley
went driving. In the morning she was
accompanied by a nurse. and I'm the after
noon by the President, These drives were
always taken in a closed carriage. In
fine weather, when the windows Of the
carriage were open, Mrs. Mckinley bowed
pleasantly TO psssers-by, and always
seemed pleased when a man raised his
ha. or a woman waved her handkerchief
Perhaps the most decided trait Of Mrs
McKinley's character was her love for
children. She showed this on every occa-
sion presented. whether while driving. OF
walking through the White House lobby
from her carriage, or when friends
brought their little ones to see her. Al
noon, when she usually returned from
her morning drives. the White House was
as a rule pretty we'll filed with visitors
Many Of these would stand in the lobby
10 watch the frail, sweet-faced woman
pass through TO the residence portion OF
the mansion leading on the arm Of an At.
tendant, If Mrs. Mckinley spied a child
in the crowd she would invariably stoI
and call the yOUngsteT to her. sometimes
attempting TO coax the bashful ones by
offers Of flowers. On several occasions
where Mrs. Mckinley was particularly
attracted by a child I'm the lobby, sht
would have him or her brought to hel
apartments. No little boy or little cir
ever went away without some presents.
Notices Boy Soldier.
In the war with Spain. a boy Of fifteen
who had managed to enlist in a Tennessee
regiment stationed at Camp Alger, Va.
was seen by Mrs. Mckinley while he wa
visiting at the White House He did no
look his age, and Mrs. Mckinley wa
attracted by his youthful appearance
The young soldier was bashful. but Mrs
Mckinley insisted that he should follow
her to the Blue Parlor. where she aske,
him many questions about himself an,
tried 10 make him feel at ease. The bo,
went away with a big bunch Of banana
and other things 20 eat. the nroudast an.