Evening star., 1923-02-11

green about many other things, we both
knew how 10 dance
There's a bit of difference in the
dancing Of today, is there not?" sug-
gested the listener.
Il should say there is" she quickly
admitted. People don't dance these
days. They just go around over the
floor. hugging each other. We used to
really dance those days
Il suppose you were having the time
of your life" was the querry that caused
the elderly lady to recall the departure
from the White House.
Yes. they were awful kind and all
that, but Henry and l were not used to
SO much fuss being made over us, and
We were anxious to get away. Finally
the porter came TO US and asked when
We would like 10 go. Henry told him
that We would like to go just as soon
as we possibly could. At o'clock he
got our things for us and a cab took US
to place where We could start imme-
diately on our journey back home. I
remember that we went part Of the way
home on the steamboat
According to Mrs. Chandler. it was
almost two years after the wedding
before Mr.. Chandler entered the army.
Mr.. Chandler never forgot the kindness
of the great statesman. and even though
all of his folks were on the side of the
south during the war. and the senti-
ment of the community was so strong
that he had to enlist in the armies of
the south. il was not long before he laid
down his gun and turned himself over
10 few Union soldiers. offering 10 en-
list in their army. After n few days Of
investigation. he was allowed to enlist,
and fought under the Stars and Stripes
until the end of the war. being men,
Der of Company A, 1st New Jersey
Cavalry.
4 FTER Mr.. Chambers transfer to the
"A northern army Mrs. Chandler did
not hear from him for five years. 1t was
not until after the war was over and
the hostile spirit and sentiment Of the
Virginia community was somewhat sub
dued that the man who had dared to
fight "agai inst his own family" dared to
return home. Had II not been for a
certain measure Of faith in the make
up of the white House BRIDE" Mr..
Chandler might have been another
"Enoch Arden
For five years Mrs. Chandler believed
her husband to be dead. A young doc
tor who had been an early suitor still
held out for the hand Of the one whom
he thought to be a war widow. How
ever. the vow taken in the White House
In the presence of the country's great
statesman was a solemn one to the
supposed widow. When Mr.. Chandler
returned he found the home still fur
nished and the wife working for her
neighbors in order to make a living. She
was still waiting and sustaining faint
hope for his ultimate return.
Soon after the war Mr.. and Mrs.
Chandler went to Indiana. They reared
a family of four children, all of whom
make their homes in the Hoosier state.
Mr.. Chandler died about twenty five
years ago. Mrs. Chandler lives alone
in Anderson. being supported by PEN
sion the government pays to the widow
Of one of the country's honored soldiers.
In the pension record is found what
probably is the only official record that
has been made Of Mrs. Chambers we'd
ding in the White House. She mas re-
ceived letters from many historians or
biographers. and even from some Of the
other brides of the White House, asking
for detailed information as to her we'd
ding, but all these letters have gone un-
needed.
Although Mrs. Chandler Is more than
eighty years old, she enjoys the best
of health and gets about OH foot.
81 keep healthy and strong by walk
ing and not worrying she says. I've
gone through an sorts of experiences
and lived here alone all these years. but
don't allow myself to worry about any
thing. What will be, will be any way;
so why worry"
do you ever wish that you had mar
ried the young doctor?" she was asked.
81 should say not"' she retorted
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