Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-09-28
COOLIDGES FOND
OF PLAIN FOOD
"Mac," Their Boston Waiter,
Talks About Their Simple
Gastronomic Tastes.

Boston, Mnss-Much has been writ
ten lately about the simple tastes and
unassumlng ways OF Calvin Coolidge.
now President Of the United States.
and OF Mrs Coolidge. and those who
are well acquainted with them say
this simplicity permeates their life.
When Coolidge was governor Of Mas
.sachusstts he and Mrs. Coolidge made
their home at the Adams house. and
their regular walter there, Mac" who
is known TO many hundreds Of Bos-
tonlans told writer for the Boston
Sunday Advertiser a lot about their
astronomical tastes. Said he:
Their breakfast order was always
the same-'Two Special No. Is, grippe
fruit for Mrs. Coolidge and orange
for me-
Special No. never varied. It
consisted Of two small pots Of coffee.
graham mullins and fruit.
"AIr. Coolidge would give the order
and call for clean glass and n whole
orange. He would squeeze the orange
himself Into the glass, and drink the
juice.
Silent at Meals.
Mrs. Coolidge always had half q
grapefruit.
"They were generally alone at break
fast. as their boys were at school and
only vif'ted them In vacation time
Once. though, when the boys were
there. they wanted ham and eggs for
breakfast. Mrs. Coolidge ordered II
for them, but when the governor found
1t out, he frowned on giving the kids
meat for breakfast.
"rhey were seldom at my table for
lunch, as they were both often gone
oil day. But they would be back for
dinner, unless they were dining out.
Then Mrs. Coolidge used to order
a chop-the way you do" interpoiated
MAC" who has an uncanny memory
for the likes and dislikes Of every one
Of his patrons
Sometimes she would have a steak.
But Mfr. Coolidge always made his din
ner on cereal--usually grape nuts and
tea or milk.
"He was just as quiet at their family
meals as he is in public life. Hardly
ever said word. Breakfast over. he
would 90 away in silence.
They seldom had guests. except Mr..
and Mrs. Frank W. stearns. who were
with them frequently.
Sometimes there would be one or
two others with them at dinner. on
those occasions Mrs. Coolidge would
try every way In the world to get him
TO join in the conversation. Nothing
doing, He would look and listen, but
hardly ever opened his mouth-except
for his grape nuts. Once in a while he
would shoot little smile-l like this
and for a fleeing instant MAC" was
the living Image Of the President
Lapsing back to his natural express
sion, which is intense but amlable,
Mac" continued:
.He is q hard man to get at, II you
know what mean. But when you
once do get at him. you find he has
one Of the best hearts In the world.
All Liked Mrs. Coolidge.
"But for kindness and a charming
manner combined, Mrs. Coolidge was
the one. Every waiter in the dining
room liked to serve her. she was al
ways considerate. always appreciative
for anything done for her. If Mrs.
Coolidge once knew you, she knew you
everywhere, no matter where she hap
pened to meet you. In the hotel cor
ridor or In the street, she would al
ways bow. She's fine woman.
81 used to look at those boys, and
their good manners. and wonder how
she did 1t. But then. bringing up
six. (Slx little McKeoughs, remem-
ber.)
II said to one of my boys the other
day. Look at young Calvin Coolidge.
His fathers President of the United
States. and he's looking for farm work
at $3.50 a day. l suppose If 1 was
president you'd be wanting to take Il
easy In the White House."