Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-08
GROVER CLEVELANDS HAPPY
LIFE IN HIS LATER YEARS

mucn resembling her father, ran in
lead him out into new pastures Of
playland
Mrs. Cleveland Still Beautiful.
| There was rustic of skirts and
Mrs. Cleveland descended the broad
stairway. She was dressed in a plain
skirt and a Peter Pan waist that set
of her matronly figure well. She was
still the beautiful woman that presid-
ed over the executive mansion. Her
form was little more rounded. the
/ look that comes with motherhood was
in her face, bit it simply added to
her magnetic presence Her eyes. A
strange mixture Of blue and violet
land light gray, beamed out from IN.
| der great crown of black hair sim
/ ply arranged. Her voice was low
and musical, but firm, and that same
| gracious manner that had impressed
ambassadors, diplomats and states
men was stiIl her own. The yea-s
| had dealt kindly with her likewise
and one would hardly think her q day
| more than 80.
II could be seen at a glance how Mrs.
| Cleveland in her capacity of mistress
of the white house early had demon
strated her ability to be the gracious
leader of the many functions at Wash
ington. There she became noted for
| her tact and finesse and it can be
safely said that the national capital
never saw more popular hostess
than Mrs. Cleveland. After the life
of gayety and excitement one Won
ders how she could have settled down
so eontentedly in her quiet home at
Princeton and devoted so much of
her life to- her children. To surround
her little folk with all that is good
and beautiful and to have them grow
up blessing to their parents and
country evidently is Mrs. Cleveland's
aim When the children were younger
she established a kindergarten for
them and some of their friends at the
white house under the supervision of
Miss Mary Willard.
Her Singularly Happy life.
1t will be remembered that the life
of Mrs. Cleveland has been a singu-
larly happy one, which, of course, &C.
counts for her youthful appearance.
Mrs. Cleveland who was Miss Fran
ces FOLSOM, was born and received
her early education in Buffalo, n. Y.
Mr.. Cleveland was her fathers law
partner, romance developed and her
marriage to him was celebrated very
quietly at the white house in 1886.
Following modestly behind Mrs.
Cleveland, on the occasion of my first
visit to the ex-president's home. was
Marion, q miniature of her mother,
her hair being lighter, who has but
passed her eleventh birthday. The
announcement of a caller for the ex-
president caused him to leave us and
we wandered out and took a seat on
the small porch of the right wing of
the house. Francis and Esther had
Joined their mother now; with the
two girls and boy she made a pleas
ing picture of contented motherhood
| the manner of the children in adj
dressing her showed that she did not
govern them by any iron rule, but
was regarded rather as one of them,
who knew all their childish pleasures
and troubles and could act well as an
adviser.
unjust" Not a Household Word.
This lack of any air of dictation or
rule seems to attach itself to the
household. There is no such word as
must" in the vocabulary of the home
1t requires six servants to take care
of the house and children and all of
them follow their own inclnations as
to duties and work The mistress of
the house permits them to arrange
these things among themselye. and
she is fairly idolized by them. The
servants are smiling, healthy lot
There is no stiffness about them, no
tip-toeing, no talking in whispers.
They are natural and very much at
home and enjoy life quite as much as
.nyona at Westla1d.
More callers aking the presence of
Mrs. Cleveland necessary in the sit
ting room, / wandered about the
grounds in search of Dick" or rather
Richard Folsom Cleveland, whom
had not yet met. Vague reports had
it that he had escaped the house on
roller skates to search kindred spirits
similarly equipped. firing of my
quest of him in the walks without,
walked back of the house, where the
barns and gardeners house stand
some distance in the rear. AS
turned by great tree l heard
wheezy but friendly bark at my heel
and looking down beheld tbs faithful
| Brownie" companion of his master
on rabbit hunts for twelve years past.
As scratched his fat back while he
wriggled in friendly regard | was
iostled by Hickey, the ex-president's
black-and-white hunter-it wanted its
share of caresses. One or the other
Of them Is generally carried by Cleve-
land on his hunting or fishing expedi-
tons.
Only a week before the ex-president
returned from duck hunt on the AL
exander preserves in South Carolina.
he spent his SEVENTEEN birthday as q
uimrod and friends who witnessed his
performance declare that he has lost