Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-03-04

Xyash,nrton March a-Florenoe
ISIin., Harding. the new First Lady of
the Land possesses an unusual degree
OF pluck and outspol<eness. Sho hns
ideas Of her own on many subjects and
she does not hesitate 10 speak her
opinions straight out from the shoulder.
Those who work for her count her
kindly and delightful mistress, but they
know that any delinquency will call down
IA repr1mand they will not soon forget
On occasions she has been seen shaking
a foreflneer at her husband but of
course nobody knows what that all is
about.
All her life Mrs Har,ing has been
determined and tireless worker. not only
IA the details of hsr household, but in
the broader field OF business and COM
munIty welfare. She comes OF hSht-
ing blood, her father. Amos King. hav-
ing been a rugged power OF the plo-
ueCr days of Marion. She was born
therc. and although in her strlhood her
parents attained moderate means they
were not the sort who lean TO sI-
travagance.
When she married Mr. Harding in
1921. his newspaper. the Star. was not
81; out of the woods financially and she
went 10 work in its business depart
aud circulation problems with an eye
for efficiency al along the line She
watched the original purchases OF print
paper md materials and she stood at
me presses and gave instructions 10
the uewsboys daily before they started
Oh their rounds with the finished
J Prodaot
II Is said Of her III Marion that when
she became the wife OF the struggling
souns, editor she told her friends she
expected to make him president some
day, and il is known that at some OF the
most discouraging stages OF the pre-
convention campaign last year II was
she who insisted most vigorously that
tho fiGht be continued.
During the strenuous days when thoU
sands were marching TO The front porch
Of the Harding residence on Mt. Vernon
avonUe she WAS the most active figure
about her husbands s headquarters. She
was beside him every time he spoke at
homo or away. she shook hands with a.
many men and women as did he; snd
she was in and out of his offices from
morning until night rounding up de-
tails and giving him advice on all
SERIOUS questions before him.
Late on the night on the last mont
porch meeting a newspapernlan passing
the Harding home saw someone moving
about the dark recesses Of the big
vsranda II was Mrs. Harding, draw
ins tbs porch chairs back against the
wall for the night and softly whistling
. quiet little air Of ccntsntrnsnt-
You seem happy enough" he called
across TO her.
4 surely am she replied. -and why ]
snouldnt I be7 Isn't il wonderful"
Mrs Harding IS a member OF tho
Methodist Episcopal Church. and the
Hardings alternate attendance between !
that and the Baptist Church. Of which
the new president Is a member. She
loves children snd chooses horses and
dogs for her pets. Cruel treatment Of
dumb animals aTouses her 70 militant
protest, and on more than one occasion
she has stopped on the streets Of Marion
nd Washington 10 repriInand q dTay
man or cabby for abusing his horse
In her younger 3 she was skilled
horsewon1an.
OF medium hr.ght he new First Lady
carries herself erect and with & charm
ing dignity. Pictures seldom Go her
Justice. for although her hair is streaked
with silver her eyes are as bright and
Ter elances and smiles radiant
when she was sixteen.
Social and Diplomatic Washington
.ooks for revival under the President
and Mrs Harding Of the formal state
Gsrl-. ers and other social functions at the
White House which ceased with the en-
trance Of the U.ited states into the /
World War
Directions from Mr.. Harding for the .
& abandonment OF the official social events
incident 70 his inauguration were con- /
rdeG Ky those hoping for a return u /
i social rornalcy 20 be a blow TO their +
eEpce tations. but the recent shopping +
lr1p made By Mrs Harding 20 New
York and other events have renewed
their optimism.
IN preparation for the arrival OF the
new First Lady Of the Land" the
White House has been redecorated and
the furnishings renewed. In addition
Mrs Harding has requested that ad-
flowers be planted around he
White House. Her friends expect her
10 act as hostess a. a number Of garden
parties during the spring. thereby re
storing one OF the favorite forms cf
entertainments Of former days.
Likewise II is expected that she viii
entertain at teas. her guests including
in addition 10 intimate friends the wives
cf ire members Of the diplomatic corps
Another social custom that she may
revive is the regular weekly at home"
10 wives of cabinet members, q function