The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-09-07
MRS, WILSON HAPPY AS
SHE NURSES PRESIDENT
Rv Zoe Beckley
AZ Z a Staff CorrcSpOndenD

year the flrSt Lduy VI IiS Aoiiu ii<'''
shut up her beauty and her charm in
the sickroom and private office of the
president.
There have been anxious days;
many of them, but Edith Wilson has
been happy in her hard role of nurse
and business wcman-happier, some
say, than ever before.
No Easy Place.
Sentimental Susie, signing to be
the wife of an illustrious man.
doesn't realize that it is lot easier
and more comfortable to be plain
Mrs. William Jones of Blinkvillc.
It is never simple matter, be-
ing a presidents wife.
At best il isn't all gaiety, pretty
clothes, balls and trips to Europe.
At worst it is job of sober serv-
ice that takes poise, patience, tact,
brains, self sacrifice and sturdy ply
sical stamina.
AS in Mrs. Wilson's case-unparal-
Iced in White House history-the
test may come without warning,
bringing burden of work and anx-
iety that only an exceptional wo-
man can successfully carry. A wo-
man, say, whose entire character
finds expression in one we'll marked
channel-a love which is concen-
trated upon one object.
Tn Mrs. Wilson's case it is her
husband. Ask anyone in Washing
ton:
.eWhat interests has the presidents
wife,"
sThe president" is the invariable
answer.
ssBut what work appeals to herr"
ssThe presidents" is the reply.
s'Surely she has some pet ambition,
some"
s'To make the president happy"
"Well, has she talents? Hobbies?'
eyes. Her talents are reading
aloud, playing golf, discussing hu-
man affairs, writing letters, analyzing
reports and pardon pleas, hunting up
good detective stories, supervising
the. household, motoring and movies
ali with, for ena because of the
president
Surprised Many.
This devotion to the president
took form that caused many sea-
soned politician a start of astonish-
ment about year ago.
They knew her for charming wo-
man, with gracious Virginia born
manners and a bright way of telling
an anecdote or dark story
But that she should develop al
most overnight the kind but stern
competencies of a trained nurse, the
tact of an experienced diplomat and
the resourcefulness of professional
entertainer, made them sit up and
take notice.
Senator Amazed.
81 confess" Senator Carter Glass
told me the other day, 81 was amazed
at the promptness with which Mrs.
Wilson renounced every other inter-
est in life and from the moment of
the presidents illness applied herself
to helping and sustaining him.
"She showed from the first grasp
of affairs that surprised US ali. She
never intruded, yet she was always
there, ready and able to write good
letter, see an important caller, con-
vey the presidents view to this or
that official.
Always Cheerful.
sNo matter how much serious
work she did, she always kept her
brightness and sense of humor, and
the optimism that never failed her
even when the presidents condition
was gravest!!
'She had a hard task, too, to sense
exactly the right proportion of work
and diversion to allow him. His ac-
tivity ard conscientiousness made him
restless, at times difficult. Yet Mrs.
'Wilso-'s common sense judgment al
ways guided her Alright"
Now that President Wilson is bet
ter and able to work three or four
hours a day, Mrs. Wilson's nurssly
duties have merged into those of
trained personal secretary.
Tumulty's Praise.
Joseph P Tumulty, apparently far
from feeling that his nose has been
put out of joint by the First Lady's
ass,,rnpf;on 6f secrat aria5 sarviceS