The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-10-12

the stage Of the day. The popular
actors we're Booth and Barrett, the
elder Southern and w. j. Florence
Edwin Booth was seen in Baltimore,
as, OF course, he never played in
Washington. At this time Gilbert
and Sullivan's first popular produc.
ton, "Pinafore," appeared. This was
vigorously applauded by the young
naval officers. its humorous satire on
the English navy keenly appreciated
by them.
My first ball at West Point is
deeply impressed upon my memory
the inspiring music, the brillancy OF
but tons and bright uniforms-au the
glamor Of that evening remain with
me, while subsequent balls at both
Annapolis and West Point left minor
Impressions. General Sherman &C.
companied our families upon this
trip, and was a most cheerful and
agreeable travelling companion, high
spirited and at all times unassuming
His daughter, Eleanor. whose recent
death in Europe will be remembered,
was one of the party.
Another bright spot among those
days is a visit Of several weeks upon
the United States warship Franklin,
with the family of the commander.
Captain ellis. a cousin OF my mother.
The vessel was the largest wooden
man of war in the world and strange
ly different from the modern war
vessel. OF her class at the time
were the historic Kersearge, the Hart.
ford and the Tennessee.
During my tfe in Washington II
was one Of our pleasures to drive
with visiting friends or relatives to
the many points Of intrest, among
them the homes Of Washington ano
Lee-Mount Vernon and Arlington.
Always OF intense interest was the lat
ter to those from the southern states
leader, one of the worlds greatest
then unfinished monument, in its i'll
chosen location, was also an attrac-
ton. 1t was completed at about that
time.
Mrs. Hayes and my mother we're
exceptionally congenial, and a de-
voted friendship existed between
them always. Each had five chill
dren OF corresponding ages, and my
little brother and sister attended a
private school at the White house
with little Fanny and Scott Hayes.
Another bond between them was their
interest in temperance, upon which
they agreed and took decided stand
which was much commended.
Always broad-minded woman,
Mrs. Hayes shared her husbands
friendship for the southern people
and his entire lack Of prejudice. She
selected as governess for her children
a beautiful and cultivated southern
girl. and. though criticised by many,
persisted in this wise choice.
Some of our happiest hours with
the Hayes family were spent at the
soldiers home, where, returning
from mountains or seashore. we re-
tired to our cottages for several
weeks Of relaxation before the winter
season began. 1t was In an ideal
spot, this Hardwood cottage of ours.
beneath sheltering trees, beside a tiny
lake. Here we were neighbors, and
the young sons Of the president
joined US in rowing upon the lake and
in horseback riding. Mrs. Hayes be-
lteved in simplicity. especially in the
training Of young people, ais was in
dictated by the unaffected manner of
her children. Recently my niece,
Miss Boteler has visited the home Of
Scott Hayes, on the Hudson-the
youngest Of the boys who romped
with her mother in childhood at the
soldiers homeland found him pos
sessing the same charming personal
ity characteristic Of the family.
The telephone now came into use.
One was installed in our cottage and
in the presidents and they were a
novelty, indeed. 1 we'll remember
our first experiments, and of my little
brother, baby Of 3 years. standing
upon the table to sing into the re-
ceiver to the president.
An incident here occurs to me, typi.
cal Of the presidents humanity and
kindness. My mother discovered the
gardener at the soldiers home un-
mercifully beating his horse, and in
haste and indignation she telephoned
the president Of the abuse. His
prompt response and just punishment
of the offender indicated his sympa-