Holbrook argus., 1911-02-28
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Presidents Tribute to the Mem-
 ory of His Wife.
General Arthur Felt Little Satisfac- ton In Occupying the White House Because His Loved
 Helpmate was Gone.
By E. J. EDWARDS.

When Chester A. Arthur became president of the United States his first official residence was in the Washington house of Senator John P. Jones of Nevada. This was due to the fact that the White House had to undergo a long period of renova- tion following President Garfeld's re- moval thence to the seashore, and it was not until late in the autumn of 1881 that General Arthur was able to take up his residence in the nation Is home for it's presidents. In the mean time he was provided with a suitable roof through the thoughtfulness and hospitality of Senator Jones.
 'I know that it was with no feeling of pride or exultation that Chester A. Arthur finally entered the White House as president" said General Howard Carroll, former member of congress from New York City and for years one of General Arthur's inti- mate personal and political friends. He was bowed down with regret over the Garfield tragedy, for one thing; and then, notwithstanding his politi- cal activity, he was lonely man. His little daughter was away at school, his son was at college, and his wife had been dead several years when he was elected vice president.
 General Arthur and his wife had been much attached to each other; their domestic relations were ideal Mrs. Arthur was a beautiful woman of many accomplishments, and she and her husband had many tastes in com mon. Both were fond of music; Mrs. Arthur had very charming and high ly cultivated voice, which, had she chosen professional career for her self, probably would have brought her considerable fame. And both were very fond of literature Although the public did not know 1t, President Ar thur was of scholarly attainments. He was constant reader of the classics, he spoke German very well, and he read that language with facility.
 "One morning about a week after the president had moved into the White House I had occasion to call there. AS I was compelled to leave for New York on mid-forenoon train, I timed my call so as to reach the White House just after the president had finished breakfast. But when asked for him his valet, Powell told me that the president was dressing I therefore sent word that I would wait until he could receive me, but in few moments I was asked to go to the presidents dressing room, and there we conversed about the business that had called me to the White House
 While the talk was going on noted the appropriate manner in which the presidents private apart ment had been fitted up, and after the business in hand was out of the way I commented on the furnishings and decorations, venturing to say that, now that he was at last in the White House, he must have some sense of pride in the fact that he was presi- dent of the United States; that he must have some concrete idea of what it all meant to be the head of so great country.
 For a moment General Arthur did not answer me. Then, slowly, he turned and stood looking at a DOT trait which hung upon the wall It was splendid likeness of Mrs. Ar thur, and it was the one domestic adornment of his New York house which he had insisted on bringing to Washington with him, and hanging where, in his private moments, he could easily look at it.
 For several minutes he gazed lov. ingly, longingly, at the picture Then he turned to me:
 Howard he said, slowly, simply and yet impressively, you say it is a great thing to be president and oc cupy the White House. But I have felt every moment that I have been here, as I have looked upon the DOT trait of my wife, how much meaning there is in the poem of Heine's you know so well. An.
 What for me is all the blooming
 If bloom myself alone"
 he repeated, in German, looking ten derly at the portrait of Mrs. Arthur. while a tone of infinite tenderness came into his voice. Then, a moment later, he added:
 Howard, that Is the way I feel and have felt ever since I entered the White House. And that is the way I will feel until depart from it."
 Copyright, 1910. by E. J. Edwards. All Rights Reserved)