Evening star., 1911-06-11
k}1(NbeSUverNh'
l*yH*l at tbo White H0us

selves members OF the Cincinnati Liter
ary Club. organized by Ainsworth r.
the elder Taft became president in the
course OF his career. His son William
was also initiated into this exclusive club
of his elders, while still an active mem
ber of the Junior society, which met those
happy Saturdays in Miss Nellie Heron 5
parlor.
1t is said that William, following these
meetings. Systematically sat out" all of
the other young literary enthusiasts of
his who chose to be laggards after
the meetings had adjourned. and that
during this time he asked Miss Nellie the
fatal question. which was later to make
her the first lady of the land.
The enga cement was a long one. for
the young law student did not regard
himself as worthy of wife until he had
built his own home IN which to en-
sconce the girl OF his choice, so con-
genial to him in intellect.
Before his wedding date was set he fin
ished an apprenticeship as clerk In his
fathers law Office. and served success
sively as assistant prosecuting attorney,
collector Of internal revenue and assist
ant county solicitor. BY this time. in
the spring of 1886. he saw his long -antici-
pated home-the "Quarry'-rise to crown
a pretty bit of highland on East Walnut
Hills. whence could be enjoyed, as a
paper said at the time. "one of the finest
views of the Ohio trfver) to be obtained
about the city"
His fancee elected to become a June
bride. and Saturday. the 10th of that
month. was chosen as the day OF days.
William II. Taft was then twenty eight
years and nine months old. while Miss
Heron was but a few weeks past her
tWenty-ffth birt ilday.
A prophet employed upon one of the
Cincinnati papers that month cast this
horoscope for the bride and groom elect:
'.W II. Taft is a man who has made
his mark already in legal and political
circles. Those wise in such matters pre-
dict for him brilliant future. To no
position, political or social, to which
American citizens may properly aspire
would the grace. culture and refinement
OF his bonnie bride be found inadequate
OF the wedding week, in their Sunday
summaries, society editors make elo-
quent comment. especially the following:
The past week has been an exceeding
" gay one and society has been kept
wide awake and moving. Wedding bells
have rung out on the summer air-rfch
with the perfumed fiowers-and many
merry maiden has made her choice for
better or for worse and with musics
crash and diamonds flash have entered
into the holy state of matrimony."
In two social functions Of that week
Immediately preceding her nuptials Miss
Nellie Heron was conspicuous partici-
pant One of these was a brilliant dance
at the residence of Mr.. and Mrs. Will
liam Howard Neff, on Price Hill, and
the other was the wedding of her friend,
Miss Agnes Davis, whom she accom-
panied to the altar of Christ Church as
bridesmaid few days before she was
to play the stellar role in the same time
hcnored drama.
AT her friends wedding Miss Herron's
bridesmaid gown was of white embroid-
cred null. with a white moire SASH and
il is also related that she wore straw
hat and carried a bouquet of "Cornelia
Cooks"
This wedding at which Miss Helen Her
ron was a bridesmaid. was celebrated
"a.fter the early English STYLE and
after the knot had been tied the bridal
party and guests hurried, from Christ
Church TO the Davis residence, there to
sit down to an elaborate wedding Dreak-
fast served at a damask-covered, vine
decked table made in the shape or sooo-
luck horseshoe
To Helen Herrons horoscope another
chapter-but a false one-was added dur
ing this sumptuous repast. Into great
cake set down before the bridal party
had been baked a gold ring, whose finder
would be the next bride; gold dollar.
auguring riches, and a gold thimble, pre-
dieting perpetual spinsterhood The bride
elect of William Howard Taft drew the
slice of cake containing the thimbie ana
then repudiated the prophecy upon the
following Saturday.
To Join his daughter in wedlock with
the future President Mr.. Heron selected
the Rev Dr. Moses 4. Hoge, Presby-
terian divine of Zanesville-his cousin by
marriage-who had married him to the
brides mother thirtytwo years before, and
who, according to the reporter assigned to
the wedding, had "since been the min