Evening star., 1909-05-30

washington appears to me ideal
place to live said Mrs. Dickinson
before her departure for the canal
belt II know /. shall enjoy Washing
meet people and to study public ques-
tions at close range. I have always
taken deep interest in national
movements and the prospect of coming
SO closely in touch with those who
form the national policies makes the
idea of residing in Washington a de-
lIghtful anticipation.
. Although Mrs. Dickinson has never
lived in Washington or even made
more than passing visits, her friends
already established here seem count
less. When the Secretary of War act
ed as chief councillor for the commit
tee which met in London to confer
about the Alaskan arbitration, Mrs
Dickinson accompanied him and at that
time formed friendships which are
pleasant to- extend. Elihu Root. at that
time Secretary of State, and Senators
Lodge and Turner were members of
the commission. and Mrs. Root and Mrs
Lodge were both attracted to the wife
of the legal councillor. Judge Dickin-
son during that memorable conference
made speech which won over the
British umpire, Lord Alderstone. to his
way of thinking, a speech which the
leading publicists of Great Britain
pronounced one of the most scholarly
and convincing legal arguments heard
In half century. After this the Dick
insons were liOnized in British society
and by the American colony always
resident In London. 1t was during one
OF Judge Dickinsons sojourns abroad
representing American interests that
Mrs Dickinson and Mrs. John W. Fos-
ter became close friends. When Mrs
Dickinson came to Washington first
as a member of the cabinet set she
was entertained at the Foster home
and made her official cabinet debut un-
der the pleasant chaperonage of such
distinguished hostess as the wife Of
the former Secretary of State
among the tennessee women who re-
side in Washington some as official host
esses. others because they find the Ma
tional Capital an agreeable winter home,
Mrs. Dickinson is held in loving esteem.
All her friends adhere to the charming
old southern habit of calling her Miss
Martha for she was born Martha Over
ton and under that name gained almost
state wide popularity as the belle of
Nashville. Her father, John Overton,
owned that magnificent estate known
throughout the south. Travellers Rest,
and where some of the most distinguish
ed men and women OF the times have
been entertained. 1t Is great stock
farm with mansion which is almost as
| some Of the modish hotels. During her
girIhopd Mrs. Dickinson led the life
which is more familiar to Americans
through reading English novels than
through actual knowledge of such exist
ence. Her home possessed everything
which would make life pleasant, fine
horses. every sort of vehicle and house.
| where half hundred people could be EN-
tertained without trouble. According to
her friends. her beaux were legion
and a yOuth would cpond tho yyhna
day in his saddle in order to pass few
short hours at Travellers Rest in the
evening. When Miss Martha" was final
ly captured by Mac" Dickinson, as the
sedate war chieftain is called by these
friends the event gave universal satisfac-
ton and was the elimination of a ro-
nance which forms a pleasant topic of
conversation even yet. 1t seemed an
| ideal marriage" said a prominent off,
cial woman from Tennessee. FOR both
represented leading and influential fami
lies. both were very popular. highly en-
dowed with physical and mental graces
and they were genuinely in love. Unlike
the usual ideal courtship it has turned out
the happiest kind of marriage The exalt-
ed post to which Judge Dickinson has been
called rejoices his old Tennessee friends
as much for his wife's sake as for his
own
According to this friend of Mrs. Dick
insons, who is one of her contemporaries
In Nashville society. the cabinet set will
derive pleasure and benefit from asso-
citation with such a high type of southern
gentlewoman. Mrs. Dickinson she said.
may serve as eminent example of
the woman who eXerts the most potent
influence on her husband. her home and
her community without stepping one inch
from the prescribed mission allotted by
the ages to the gentle sex. She could
never Identify herself with public move
ment and al the arguments about the
rights of women have passed harmlessly