Evening star., 1934-03-25

draw as near to him as could. remember
when 1 was small enough to sit on his knee
and play with his watch chain. As girl
would join him in his walks on the terrace
sit with him over the fire during the Winter
twilight or by the open windows in Summer.
"As child, girl and woman loved and hon.
ored him above all earthly things. And wen
might. From him seemed to flow all the
pleasures of my life. To him owed all the
small blessings and joyful surprises of my child
iSh and girlish years. I was fond of riding,
and was rising above that childish simplicity
when, provided I was mounted on horse. I
cared nothing for my equipments and when
an old saddle or broken bride were matters of
moment. I was beginning to be fastidious.
but had never told my wishes. I was stand
ing one bright day in the portico. when a
man rode up to the door with a beautiful
lady's saddle and bride before him. My heart
bounded These coveted articles were deposited
at my feet. My grandfather came out of his
room To tell me they were mine.
when about Is years old began to think OF
a watch, but knew the state of my fathers
finances promised such indulgence. One
afternoon the letter bag was brought in. Among
the letters was small packet addressed to my
grandfather. 1t had the Philadelphia mark
upon it. 1 looked at it with indifferent, In
curious eye. Three hours after. an elegant
lady's watch. with chain and seals, was in my
hand which trembled for very joy. My Bible
came from him, my Shakespeare, my first writ
ing table my first handsome writing desk, my
first leghorn hat. my first silk dress what.
in short. of all my small treasures did not
from him?"
THE fourth President, James Madison, whose
fascinating wife Dolly reigned supreme
over the White House social functions from
1909 to 1877. and even performed much of the
social duties during the administrations OF Mr..
Jefferson, when her husband was Secretary Of
State was childless but Mrs. Madison had
son. John Payne Todd, and another which
did not survive infancy, by former marriage.
1t was during President MadiSon's first ad-
ministration that the first wedding occurred
in the mansion, that of Lucy Payne Washing
ton, Mrs. Madison's sister, who was the widow
of a nephew of Gen washington The cere-
mony took place on March IL, 1911, the BRIDE
groom being Judge Thomas Todd of Kentucky.
Later another of Dolly Madison's relatives
was married there her cousin, Miss Anna Todd
of Philadelphia to Representative Edward b.
jackson of Virginia
There were children in the White House dur
ing the Monroe administration, and on March
TO- 1920 the Presidents daughter. Martha Hes
ter Monroe, then II years of age. married there
Samuel Lawrence Gouverneur, the first occasion
when Presidents daughter was married In
the residence assigned him by the Government.
It's probable that John Quincy Adams chill
dren were full grown by the time he became
President. JOHN, the son, who served as his
secretary was married in the Presidents house
on February 28 1928, and his daughter Mary
Louisa Adams was the second baby born there
Andrew Jackson another of the Presi-
dents who vas Joined in matrimony to a lady
who had been previously married His wife died
shortly before he was sworn in, and his nelce,
Emily wife of Maj DonelSon, the Presidents
nephew, served mistress of the White House
l1r~ af hic turao 6r0ir ctrQ-
tions, although the wife of an adopted nephew
also filled in at intervals. 1t was during Jack
sons two terms that four children were born in
the mansion-to Andrew DonelSon Jackson and
wife-and three weddings are recorded during
the eight years
Like Jefferson Martin Van Buren, had been
a widower for many years before he became
President, and his sons wife, Mrs Abram Van
Buren, was drafted to preside over her father
in-laws social functions.
William Henry Harrison lived but one month
to the day following his Inauguration, and Mrs.
Harrison, then in poor health, had not even
to Washington. They had young
children.
John TYLER brought with him house full
~ of children when he was inducted into
office, April g. 184l The following 3lst of
January he parted with his daughter Elizabeth,
who was married in the Presidents house to
William Waller of Williamsburg, Va. His wife
q confirmed invalid died September TO- 1872
The celebrated Princeton disaster, which
CURED on February 28, 1874, of Alexandria, Va,
and which resulted from the bursting of gun,
produced epoch in Mr.. Tyler's life, for it
upon this occasion that a Mr.. Gardiner of
New York-formerly a member Of the Senate
of that State-was killed. Others who we're
also mortally wounded included Abel p. Upshur
Secretary of State; Thomas w. Gilmer Secre-