The Monroe journal., 1921-01-14
LEFT The MANSION With
DINNER ON The STOVE"
Governor Beckett Worked In Office
lngil Quarter oi am Hour Of
Inauguration.
THEY LEAVE FOR LOUIsBURG

An administration notable for the
precedents established. came 10 an
end al noon "Wednesday. and in COM
ing, brought with il precedent that
many called thoroughly typical OF the
entire Beckett administration. says
the Releigh News and Observer. As
she went away with her distinguished
husband yesterday afternoon TO their
old home in LOuisburg. Mrs. Beckett
took with her the satisfaction that
the Executive mansion, over which
she has presided for four years. was
ready for its new mistress, "eyen to
face powder ON the dressers.'
Custom a century old has declared
that the retiring mistress of the man
sion shall quit the house the day pre-
ceding the inaugural, and generally.
the incoming mistress has found the
place cold, cheerless, with its pantries
empty, and its chambers in the dis
array OF 4 hastily vacated place. But
not so Mrs. Beckett The daughter Of
one of the States most distinguished
families. with hospitality inbred. she
stayed until the hour of her hus-
bands passing from office.
The new mistress yesterday found
the mansion in perfect order. with
dinner on the stove" every room in
,he great house ready for its guests,
even 10 the little detail of some
powder on the dressers for a lady's
nose. if the emergency required, For
the little lady who is to preside over
the executive household during the
next four years. a room was specially
decorated and furnished. Just the
thing that little nine-year-oh girls
nealt would desire.
Welcomes New Mistress.
And on the steps OF the mansion,
as the women of Governor Morrison S
family arrived. was Mrs. Beckett,
waiting 10 give them cordial wei
come To their new home, such a
Welcome as has made the mansion
dear to the memories of hundreds
who have called dear during the four
years. The Governor came home from
| he office at eleven o'clock, and she
Went out to greet him, and together
they made last survey of the rooms,
| and returned with a welcome to the
State officials gathering for the cere-
monies. =
Nor did Mrs. Bickett's precedent
! breaking end there. When her hus-
band vas gone with the Governor
iclect. aud the last of the dignitaries
/ Lad moved away, leaving her alone
IWtlh the great mouse and the servants
who have been with her since she
was a little girl, she turned to an
automobile and went with the Gov
uuoE with him to. the last moment
of his term of Office. and then went
back TO gather up her personal bag
rage ana 20 away for rest, She
remained at the mansion until Coy
eruor Morrison had formally entered
as Governor OF North Carolina.
Has Had Great Time. E.
1--WE have had a great time, and
nope that Mr. Morrison and his lit
lie girl will be as happy as We have
been since No have been here But
want most now TO get back to q
house that is iAiue. and cook Il dinner
myself, ana forget all about respon
sibilties of state. We are going &c
be Just plain citizens now, and -
one can readily believe that Mrs
Beckett means it when she says thai
she is glad II is over, but still glad
that she has had the experience
The Governor went early to The
office yesterday morning, cleared his
desk of everything that had to dc
with his administration, wrote a few
letters, and when that was done
drove back to the mansion just IL
time to change his soft hat for his
"bee gum" and be ready to greet the
Governor-elect when he arrived. With
Mrs. Beckett he left the city early
yesterday afternoon for his old home
in Louisburg. He will return Mon
day and hang out his shingle for the
practice of law.