New-York tribune., 1920-04-11

stance, whom I mention first be-
cause Of the forehandedness with
which her husband, Senator Poin-
! dexter, announced his candidacy for
the Republican nomination for Presi-
dent.
Twelve years ago she came to
Washington as the wife of Congress-
man Poipdexter. But when a man
has his eye on the White House he
doesn't tarry long in the lower
house, and at the end Of her hus-
bands first term Mrs. Poindexter
was taking precedence over the
Congressional ladies and receiving
first calls from them as Mrs. Sen
ator Poindexter. Twelve years in
official life at the capital, with its
national and international contact,
is good schooling for almost any job
where diplomacy, tact and breadth
Of vision are requisites. And the
fact that Mrs. Poindexter has come
through the experience so happily
is big recommendation for her as
prospective mistress Of the White
House.
Perhaps she has been helped by
an unusually keen sense of humor.
Known as the wit of the Senatorial
circle, she is famed for her funny
sayings, her decided individuality Of
expression. One never quite knows
what she is going to say!
Not long ago Mrs. Poindexter was
talking to her husbands office at the
Capitol by phone. A mans voice
broke in on the wire.
81 wish you'd get off this line" he
said impatiently, "I'm in hurry"
"And who are you?" inquired Mrs.
Poindexter.
"I'm Mr.. Grum of the vinegar
factory. Who are you?"
"l'm Mrs. jolly of the sugar
works, but if you don't get off this
line III be vinegary, too.'
Her Only Hat
On another occasion Mrs. Poin-
dexter was serving at tea in Wash
ington. A strange guest present,
noticing that Mrs. Poindextcr was
hatless, said to her as she reached
for her cup of tea: Evidently, you
are staying in the house"-just as
means Of making conversation,
you know.
"What makes you think so?" asked
Mrs. Poindexter, who had no idea
who the woman was.
Because you have your hat off"
replied the stranger.
"Oh," said Mrs. Poindexter, smil-
ing, 81 took 1t off because it doesn't
look we'll with this dress, and it's
the only hat l have"
And there you have her-frank-
ness personified, simple In her
tastes, big hearted and NATURAL no
put-on about her. In this she typi-
fes the spirit of the West, of which
her forebears were pioneers and she
herself a part.
On n ranch at Walla Walla
Mrs. Poindexter was born and
reared, leading an independent,
outdoor life. She rode a cayuse
pony, shot rabbits with unfailing
aim, hunted and fished. Her sum-
mer vacations were spent camping
out, and the rest of the time, as she
put it, dancing some, playing tennis
some and studying little"
At any rate, it was a very studi-
GUS young man that became at
tracted to the black-eyed Elizabeth
Page, whom he met one day at a
hall game in Walla Walla. In the
parlance Of the day, he started to
rush" her right away, but Miss
Page through mutual friend had
heard so much about the young
Southerner, fresh from Washington
and Lee University, who had come
West to seek his fortune, that she
felt certain disappointment in his
long, lanky appearance, and didn't
tumble as easily as it had been
thought she would.
However, she had to admit that
there was charm about his "you
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