The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
Mrs. William Borah

slvey by me NOftn AmeriCAu Ne"sptpcf AhisuCc.J Mrs. William Borall The first time Mrs. B6fah, Little Borah," her intimate friends call her, dined at the White House, was during the Roosevelt administration. 1t must be fifteen or sixteen years ago. She was quiet little mouse, with soft golden hair, and shy, very shy in public. She had just arrived from Idaho and was awed by the capitol, overwhelmed by the White House and thought all sena- tors superior beings can see her now as she used to sit, day after day, hang ing over the gallery, her face alert, listening. And when Billy Borah spoke
 I think this dinner was the first time she had met President Roosevelt and she was nervous and apprehensive.
 My dear," she said to me next day, ''it was wonderful. sat next to the President, on his left. When the man in uniform showed the plan of the table, and I sew where I was to sit, I thought I'd die. l didn't know what to talk about" sr
 Mrs. Borah did not venture to open her mouth until after the first course. Then she said timidly:
 II saw you friend William Allen White when we passed through Kansas the other day. ",
 That did the trick. 2.
 q think Whites book, 'Strategem and Spoils,' the Lest political story ever written" replied the President, alight with enthusiasm. T have just sent a copy of it to Jusserand fer birthday present.
 One of Theodore Koosevelt's first questions to her was:
 How many children have you, Mrs. Borah" .t
 II wanted to tell him I had nine" she confided to me-. Il knew he would like me better, but I thought it best to tell the truth, and say had none."
 There had been a much jewelled group at the dinner that night, their first big dinner party, and on the way home Senator Borah said to his wife {:
 Did you feel very much out of it, Mary, without any jewelrS?"
 Amazed, she answered: Why I nev- er thought of it: I was so excited"
 Little Borah" found her first social pilgrimage in the capital rather an or deal. It is an old story now, but still a vivid memory in that active brain housed beneath the fluffy golden hair.
 Being a newcomer she had to pay her calls, so she faithfully set out. At the first house she came in shyly. The hostess was talking to group of friends, and took no notice of the name but extending limp hand continued her conversation.
 He didn't exactly eat with his knife," she said, describing a recent din- ner guest, but l expected that any 
 This met with great laughter. She was an influential hostess, and you al- ways laugh at jokes from such a source.
 Mrs. Borah lowered in the Offing a moment, stood on the fringe of the group, then quietly slipped away.
 A few days later the two met across a luncheon table.
 "Why didn't you tell me you were Mrs. Borah when you called the other day? You look far too young to be a, senator's wife,"
 think it was President Monroe. when making a triumphal tour of part of the country, who was asked if he were not weary.
 "A little flattery will. support a man through a great fatigue" he replied.
 The subtle flattery offered by way of to Mrs. Borah did not blot out the initial discourtesy, nor did the special invitations to lunch and dinner which followed. The persistent "prior engagement" soon made it evi- dent that friendly relations were inn possible.
 I used to think that Mrs. Borah was afraid of her husband. That's a long time ago. When she refuses to disturb him with prayers, petitions and threats, i. isn't because she is afraid of him. but she sort of minds him. Acts as a kind of buffer. She knows when it is timely to present these prayeres. petitions and threats, and slaves them off until the mutually and slaves them off until the mutually advantageous moment. It is bad psy- chology to ask the right question at the wrong moment. And always ask them after meals for preference, with any man-unless he is a dyspeptic.
 When you see Senator Borah cutting cross-sections in the air with ihis arms, pounding the table and shoutinD bis de.