The Washington herald., 1908-02-09
HOME LIFE OF GROVER CLEVELAND.
How the Only Living exPresiden Spends Days Princeton

Far behind the other youngsters In taking
up the sport Skates for the children
we've purchased by Mrs. Cleveland. but
they complained that they had no place
to skate In Princeton. as the streets are
all laid with macadam.
Several days late- the children noticed
number OF workmen busily engaged ia
the rear yard ci their home. but did not
pay particular attention. as additions
are frequently being made TO the Cleye-
land house.
Their father asked them 10 step into
the rear yard. some days later where
he showed thrm. 10 their astonishment.
large CemeU- surface. about forty feet
square, with raised sides Mr. Cleveland
explained to the children that in winter
it was his idea 60 have the surface flood
Cd for ice skating. ond in summer they
might use it for their roller skates. Since
that time the children have scarcely
missed a fair day skating on their own
rink
The children are allowed only a small
amount Of spending money by Mrs Cleve-
land. One dsy shortly after the estab-
nshment Of the skating ,,ak and after
the novelty had somewhat worn of, she
noticed they had an unusually large
amount Of money, After several days
she grew suspicious. and determined to
watch them at play. She found that
they were charging their small neigh
bors cents for the use Of the cement
skating surface, and cents extra for
the use of their skates
During Mr.. CleyeIanIs last serious ill-
ness. Mrs. Cleveland ANA the children
were ia Tamworth. n. H.. and at the
time Mr.. Cleveland was thought 10 be
dying Mrs. Cleveland was hurriedly sent
for. but the children remained with their
grandmother at her country home.
When Mr. Cleveland had improved
somewhat, bat was supposedly seriously
ill., the children returned home State
ments regarding Mr. Cleveland's cond-
ti0n were vague, and on the day the chill
dren returned, a newspaper man VINO was
leaving the house after a frutless inter
view with a nurse, espied the Cleveland
children coming out TO play. Hoping that
he might find out how Mr. Cleveland
was. he approached Mr.. Cievelands son.
Son Gave the News.
How is your father this morning." he
asked.
Well said the boy HE was wen
enough to-day to give me a licking.
When the New Jersey game laws per
nit it, Mr. Cleveland and a friend, some
times Henry Van Dyke, the author, who
is an intimate acquaintance. go hunting
Usually their quest is rabbits In spite
of his advancing years. Mr. Cleveland Is
still a good marksman. and frequently
comes home witt q large bag Of game.
1t is said that one time. by the dint OF
much persistent persuasion. he got Wood
row Wilson, president of Princeton Uni
versity, and who spends much of his
time studying and writing books on
political economy. to accompany him.
Mr.. Wilson retuTned home sore and
tired, and never went hunting again.
Men who have accompanied our former
President on a hunting trip have received
the surprise of their lives As he rarely
walks around Princeton, and seems con-
tent to SIT in one chair practically all
day. it is natural for any one to suppose
that Mr.. Cleveland would not be active
on the hunting field. But such is the case
While he has not the long, quick stride
OF our present President, he has a keep
after-itness" which tires the others out
long before Mr. Cleveland thinks of quit
ting
SIR, Clevelands favorite sport. as al
most every one knows. IS fshing. He
would sit for hours On the banks Of