Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1920-11-26
HOW COOLIDGE WON
BURLINGTON BRIDE
COurtShip Marked by Same DELHI
erateneSS and Earnest Pur-
pose of Career

The courtships of the great men of
the world have always been of interest.
The tale of the wooing and winning Of
Grace Goodhue by Calvin Coolidge,
governor of Massachusetts,, vice. presi-
dent-elect of the United States and ma
tive son of Vermont, will not disap-
point the friends of "CaP for in it can
be discerned that simplicity and earn.
estness that have typified his public
life. M. +. Hennessey in the Boston
Globe Writes interestingly of that
courtship in series of biographical
articles about the young lawyer, now
the illustrious statesman
Let us forget politics and law for a
short time and 90 back to that part of
Mr. Coolidge's life, just after he had
turned 80 when he had begun to man
ifest a keen interest in the fair sex.
He was fairly prosperous and felt
that it was his duty to himself and
society to get married, but the great
problem was to find the right kind of
a girl for wife
Deliberate in all things Mr.. Cool
idge'S judicial mind refused to be hur-
RED i'll matter of such great person
al Importance. With his usual eau
tiousness, he kept his own counsel ild
did his own thinking and choosing.
His ideas of a wife and marriage
were old-iashioned, to be sure, but
time had long before proven their wis
dom and soundness.
One would think that a quiet un-
demonstrative man like Calvin Cool
dye would choose for a life compan-
ion woman of his own type. He did
nothing of the kind He chose a lady
wholly different Mr.. and Mrs. Cool
idge have been called by those who
know them well "a study in opposites"
She is the life of any social gathering
she attends, a brilliant conversations
alist, quick at repartee and full of fun.
Love at First Sight
Mrs Coolidge was Miss Grace Good
hue of Burlington, VT, a graduate of
the university of that state and
teacher in the Clark School for the
Deaf, Northampton, before her mar
riage.
Nermnters have a habit of showing
partially for one another, and it
may be that had something to do with
attracting Mr.. Cooldge's favorable no
tice at their first meeting.
Be that as it may the story of their
first meeting smacks a little of the
romantic Mr. Coolidge at that time
"roomed and boarded, as New Eng
landers say, with the steward of Clark
School, where Miss Goodhue taught.
She lived nearby and was on friendly
terms with the stewards wife.
One evening, Miss Goodhue was in
vited over to supper Lawyer Cool
idge was introduced 1t was a case Of
love at first sight with the young law
yer. Cupid's arrow pierced his heart,
leaving a gaping wound which did not
heal until Calvin months afterward
popped the question and Miss Good
hue whispered "Y-Y-e-s"
Friends say that the vice president
elect was an ardent wooer That is
not surprising Most great men nave
been; but it is difficult to picture Cal
vim Coolidge playing the part of Ro-
meo. Knowing Coolidge's disinclina-
ton to talk, there are those who ques-
ton the accuracy of the claim that he
pleaded eloquently for the hand of
Miss Goodhue"
1t is said that Calvin made a special
trip to Burlington, VT, and appealed
to his sweetheart's mother to persuade
her daughter to marry him, but Mrs.
Goodhue declined to help him, saying
that he would have to fight his love
battle alone.
Tried Skating Once
Most of their counting was done in
Northampton The lovers made occa-
sional trips to Burlington, where Cal
vim was always cordially welcomed.
The only criticisms the Goodhues are
reported to have made of Grace's beau
were regarded his austerity and uncon-
municativeness.
Miss Goodhue enjoyed dancing Mr.,
Coolidge never "tripped the light ian
tastic" let alone the modern abomi-
nation called dancing. So it was a
danceless courtshlp.
Miss Goodhue liked the theater. Cal
vim would rather sit on the screened
piazza and watch the moon. but if
Miss Goodhue insisted. Calvin would
90 along to please her, but most shows
seemed to bore him.
Skating is a great sport in the col
legc CITY in winter Miss Goodhue was
an expert. Calvin was not, but he
bought pair of skates and went along
with her one evening to join the crowd