Palisadian., 1923-09-28
COOLIDCES FOND
OF PLAIN FOOD
"Mac," Their Boston Waiter,
Talks About Their Simple
Gastronomic Tastes.


ten lately about the simple tastes and
unassuming 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
sachusetts he and Mrs. Coolidge made
their home at the Adams house, and
their regular waiter there Mac" who
is known to many hundreds of Bos-
tonians. told writer for the Boston
Sunday Advertiser lot about their
astronomical tastes. Said he:
Their breakfast order was always
the same-'Two Special No. Is, grape
fruit for Mrs. Coolidge and orange
for me-
Especial No. never varied. 1t
consisted of two small pots of coffee,
graham mullins and fruit.
"Mr. Coolidge would give the order
and call for a clean glass and whole
orange. He would squeeze the orange
himself into the glass, and drink the
juice.
Silent at Meals.
Mrs. Coolidge always had half
grapefruit.
'They were generally alone at break
fast, as their boys were at school and
only vis ted them In vacation time.
Once, though, when the boys were
there, they wanted ham and eggs for
breakfast Mrs. Coolidge ordered 1t
for them, but when the governor found
1t out, he frowned on giving the kids
meat for breakfast
"They were seldom at my table for
lunch, as they were both often gone
all day. But they would be back for
dinner, unless they were dining out.
'1rhen Mrs. Coolidge used to order
chop-the way you do" interpolated
Mac" who has an uncanny memory
for the likes and dislikes of every one
of his patrons.
Sometimes she would have steak.
But Mr.. 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 60 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
| f,~u IN tho world fn 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 while he
would shoot little smile-like this"
!. and for fleeting instant Mac" was
the living image of the President.
Lapsing back to his natural express
sion, which is intense but amiable,
Mac" continued:
"He is hard man to get at, If you
know what l 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 a fine woman.
81 used to look at those boys, and
their good manners, and wonder how
she did it. But then, bringing up
six. (Six 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 day. 1 suppose if 1 was
president you'd be wanting to take 1t
easy in the White House."
A Healthy Climate.