Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-10-23
President Wooed In
Strictest Secrecy
Interesting Story of HOlO Wood
rOU Wilson Made Blossoms
Perform LOUe Mission With
Mrs. Gait, Future Mistress
of the White House.

W LuC WHLLG house.
Washington, Oct. 18.-When Presi-
dent Wilson brings his bride to the
White House in December, America
will have new "first lady" who,
will, until a few weeks ago, was
known to only small circle of
friends. Today she is the object of
interest and admiration throughout
the country.
The drama of democracy (Which
may raise farm boy to the Presi-
dency), overnight brought Mrs.
Edith Boiling Gait into the lime
light. The quiet of the dim sitting
room where she played and sang for
the President after his days of har-
rassment in his office, is at an end.
From now on she will be always be-
fore the public.
This will be a decided change for
the Mrs. Wilson-to-be. For many
she has been one of the quietest of
the Washingtonians in the big "clitf
dweller" houses near Dupont Circle.
Already her comradeship with the
President has given her large in
terest in the many problems con-
fronting him; and in the White
House, her friends say, she will be
above all, the aide of the man who
must be first in answer to the call of
the people.
Mrs. Gait reflects in face and
manner the distinguished lineage of
her family, one of the foremost in
the South, with reason to be proud
of an unusual genealogy. For as
most of America knows she is di-
| rect descendent of the Indian Princess
Pocahontas, who, according to tradi-
ton, saved the life of Captain John
Smith and married John Rolfe. Their
daughter married John Boiling, fore
father of William Holcomb Boiling,
Mrs. Cats father.
Edith Boiling was born at Wythe-
vile, Va, rumor says, fOrty-four
wears ago. She was reared in a big
southern home and surrounded with
the cultural influence of books and
music. She finished her education
at Martha Washington College, at
Abingdon, Va, and at PowelPs Col
lege, at Richmond, both quiet south
ern schools, where the virtue of
domesticity and the value of social
graces is emphasized.
Nineteen years ago, on visit to
| Washington, she met Norman Gait,
and later, married him. He was the
head of a big jewelry store here.
Nine years ago he died. Since then
Mrs. Gait has been living quietly
She wore mourning until short
time ago.
Mrs. Gait has taken an interest in
many philanthropies here. She is a
worker for the Children's Hospital,
has aided in the affairs of st.
Thomas Episcopal Church, of which
her late husband was a vestryman.
Many Sundays recently the Presi-
dent has put aside his work and
waited in the big crested White
House limousine near the church, to
drive her home.
Mrs. Gait is domestic in her tastes
She is a good cook. She is an able
business woman. She has not taken
any great interest in Washington So
ciety, but is kown as charming
hostess to a small circle of friends
She is gracious and courteous. Close
friends call her Sunshine" because
of her happy disposition.
She is fairly tall, with graceful
figure and dark brown hair. Her
eyes are blue gray, but so Swallowed
by long dark lashes that at first ap-
pearance they seem black. Her mouth
is expressive and her face exceed
ingly animated when she talks. Her
voice is low.
Mrs. Gait is normal in her tastes
A lover of books and music, she has
many broad interests. What she has
done has been accomplished sc
quietly that few people know of it.
Her engagement to the President
friends say, marks a real love match
Soon after her Introduction to the
White House by Miss Margaret Will
son, the President found their tastes
much the same. Both liked their
outdoors, and together they played
golf and tennis and took long walks
and drives. Mrs. Gait was a guest
at Harlakenden House, where the
President spent his long summer va
cation, and where their friendship
ripened.
Since their return to Washington
the President has spent many even
ings at the Gait home, where she has
sung for him the old-fashioned songs
he likes best, and talked over with
him his unending series of problems.
In the library, close to the Presi-
dents favorite chair, hangs a big
silver framed portrait of her.
Big boxes of flowers have been
brought to her house daily in the
| Int
secret leak out, the President has
been sending them from downtown
florist, rather than from the White
House Conservatives.
The announcement of the engage
ment presages the greatest social
season in years. Washingtonians de-
clare, though in this they may fail
to take into consideration the liking