The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-03-08

The Rough Rider colonel returned to ride into
Office as governor of New York "That was the
frst campaign In which we had the lndescribable
excitement OF our father running for office
II was a purely personal and emotional interest
centered on my father. He was Right, and Van
Wyck, the Democratic candidate, was Wrong,
and that was all there was to that"
The governorship of New York is commonly
regarded as steppng-stone to the Presidency.
But some OF the politicians tried to sidetrack
Theodore Roosevelt by sending him, albeit I'M
willingly back to Washington as vice president
Ihaf meant more excitement for Princess ALICE
and the other young Roosevelts
i remember how that night (of the inaugural
balD perched on the arm of chair until some
one suggested that I ought not to, as Mrs. Nc
kinley was seated In 1t, fact OF which | was
totally unaware. When | was amused and stmu-
lated by an occasion, was never very conscious
OF those whom did not know who made up the
occasion At fathers own Inauguration In 1904
stood IN the front OF the box and gesticuated
exuberant greetings to the friends recognized
In the crowd until father rather firmly told me
to sit down. I had not had the slightest Idea
that ! was making a show OF myself | sat
down, feeling reproved and resentful He had
been greeting friends whom he recognized In the
crowd-so why should not ado lkewise?"
Her fathers accession to the Presidency was
no surprise to Alice. Il was as superstitous as
any savage, and as ruthless. had made
maglcs from the time my father was nominated
to the Vice presidency; made them as busily
and believingly as any primitive man. so when
the news came, though / had proper sense OF
horror at the crime 1.-THE assassination of McKin-
ley) on the civilized side, on the savage 1t
brought sense Of fulfllment."
But she took 1t 30 much as a matter OF course
af cha
live In the White House whose interior "at that
time was both ugly and nconvenlent" She made
her debut In the White House. but the mustard
cQlored carpet then on the East room floor, took
some OF the edge off her JOY.
by this time the little plgtailed Alice had
grown up into Princess Alice" Then came the
coronation of King Edward In England and talk
of her going to England for the event But her
family asked her not to go because there was SO
much absurd discussion as to social precedence
and what rank she would take.
trip to the Orient with congressional party,
headed by William Howard Taft, then secretary
of war, promised to be less spectacular as
theme for gossip but 1t got amazing amount
of newspaper space for those days 1t was a
series OF delights for Princess Alice" She was
presented to the emperor and empress Of japan
and to the old empress dowager OF China. Every
loot" her family called 1t when she brought II
home
The trip had one Important result for Alce
One Of the members OF the party was young
Nick Longworth OF Ohio. They were together
great deal and the amiabe secretary of war was
much puzzled as to their status. "A plant OF his
from time to time was Alice, | think | ought
to know II you are engaged to Nick TO which
my reply was More or less, Mr.. Secretary, more
or less and that ended that. | had not
been back long before Nick and decided that
we were engaged. | felt shy and self
conscious about telling the family"
Then Princess Alice" became q White House
bride and the whole country took personal In
terest In every detail of her costume But she
that her going away dress was 'hide-
GUS and unbecoming." The wedding presents
were about what any bride might get only more
SO the kaiser sent a bracelet with his miniature,
apparently having forgotten that he had sent a
bracelet with his miniature when Alice christened
his yacht, and the king OF Italy sent mosaic
table 30 large that she has never found room to