The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-02

Ofy, Of n nelghbOrllneSs hitherto un' known among the White House occu- pants. stories that illustrate how con. Sistently they held to that mental atti- tude of seSd will toward the whole world.
 One of these is of luncheon given Mrs. Harding at fine old southern home in Atlanta. The truth is that the hostess was somewhat disconcerted to learn that the First Lady had had her luncheon on the train-bnt that isn't the story.
 It seems that the guest of honor was much interested in the delectable dishes served and being good cook herself she was interested in the sheer art of the affair from a culinary standpoint When told that the artist was q good old-fashioned negro nanny. Mrs. Harding expressed desire to meet her. and after luncheon the cook had dis tinction not usually bestowed upon cooks. She was called in and presented to the First Lady.
 Mrs. Harding took both of the black hands in her own white-gloved ones and just being pleasant" she said, How would you like to come to the White House and cook for the President and me-
 But tho old darkie was frank, too
 No. thank you. ma am. l been raised in Atlanta 'en I'd ruther wo'k fer white folks as 1 knows what kind uv white folks dey is. l ain't acquaint ed in Washington
 And no one enjoyed the joke more than Mrs. Harding.
 And The Darkey Walters. Too
 On another occas sion when she was being entertained in New Orleans sht she was interested in the efficiency oi the negro walters and. concluding heI after-luncheon speech she said. Il don want to leave until have shaken hands with every one of these boys
 Being First Lady of our great land is full-time job for anybody. and Mrs. Harding tried to put in full time on it, despite, the fact that she was never physically strong. She was al ways ready to see people if it was al all possible and she gave of her time freely-so freely that at least n break. down forced her to give up all social duties. X prolonged and serious ill ness followed.
 Mrs. Harding. as long as she was in the White House. took very per sonal interest in the housekeeping af. fairs of the establishment and never left things entirely to the professionals in charge. She liked to have little preliminary survey to see that things were all right. You know the feeling We women are all like that.
 l think it was George Washington who gave dinner in New York. of which it is recorded that He said grace and they dined off boiled leg of mutton" Well, things are not as sim pie as that now.
 Open Door Now lmpracticable
 The Hardings were always so gra- cious and so cordial and so human that their implse would probably have been to go back to the open door policy of other days at the White House. Mrs. Harding said that somehow it always seemed unkind not to see people who really wanted to be seen. But the policy of permitting people to inspect the White House at their pleasure had to be abandoned some years ago.
 My grandfather used to tell me of an illiterate old man from the west, who came to Washington in President Madison's time. He had a request to make. First, he wanted judgeship. On being refused, and convinced that he was not fitted for the position, he slid down the scale. ending up with a petition to be made a federal dog catcher or something of the sort. When the President refused even that, he said
 Well. give me pair of your old brooches" s
 They may not be content with old brooches these days, but they are none the less persistent in their demands. Because they seemed so democratic the Hardings were beseiged with requests ranging from a cabinet or diplomatic post to an autographed photo of Lad die Boy. the dog.
 Proud Of Small Town
 Mrs. Harding was always proud of being a small town woman. She never wanted to be anything else. She re- membered when she didn't have things. When roses and carnations were four or five dollars. a bouquet from the White House, with gracious message ex- pressed the undertaking of a woman who once knew what it was to make ends meet and who liked flowers at her party. Choice blooms often went to congressional homes and her theatre box and motor car were constantly at the disposal of the less fortunate The Harding relatives didn't figure in the picture as the Bollings did in the Will son regime, however.
 Mrs. Harding understood the small town curiosity and the value of a close up of the high spots in the capital when back home she would relate adventures iIt Washington.
 Wouldn't you like to go up and. see the other rooms in the White HouSe: she asked middle western woman one day. "l know how curious used to be about it all.' she admitted frankly
 IL is singular that the last five preSi- dential families, the Roosevelts alone. have come through their term without affliction. President McKinleys death was tragic ending to his career and his wife had been an invalid. Mrs Taft, who had planned such great social events for their regime, was stricken with illness. President Wilson, who came in in vigorous health, went out a broken man, and Mrs. Harding had just recovered from d serious malady, which confined her to the White House for many months. when she started bravcly on the iil.fated Alaskan trip with the President
 \ Hint With X Brass Band
 Many will recall the fine day early in their first summer at the White House when the Hardings threw open the grounds and held their first gar. den party. It was magnificent sue cess. The weather was perfect, Ihr green lawn t velvet carpet Splashed wlth gay colurs---the red u'icormS of the band. the bright irocks and hats and parasols It was distinct change alter the seclu>ion of the previous ad- ministratiou.
 | think il was Mrs. Pomerene who remnrkcd "Aren't things different