Widely popular—An element in the Administration—Her influence
admirable—The representative of the third period of White House
ladies—The women of the Revolution—Their successors—The second
century of the Republic—Mrs. Hayes a representative of it—Her
qualifications and ambition—An ideal wife—Happy married life—Long
experience in semi-official life—Her grace, culture and social
attributes—Pleasant duties well performed—Has created a higher
reverence for her sex—As compared with others of her rank—What
men have learned from the days of Socrates to President Hayes—The
domestic lives of great men—The glory of life realized—Mrs.
Hayes’ birth-place—Daughter of Dr. James Webb—Ancestry—The mother
of Mrs. Hayes—A noble woman—Her careful training of her
children—Pupils at Wesleyan University—Cottage home of Mrs.
Webb—Lucy a fellow-student with her brothers—Sent to the Wesleyan
Female College—Excellent school advantages—A graduate of the
first chartered college for young women in the United States—Is
introduced to a promising young lawyer—His interest in the
under-graduate—What he wrote concerning her—Pleasant
school-memories of Mrs. Hayes—Her schoolmates’ opinion of
her—‘Absolutely will not talk gossip’—The trait a gift from her
mother—An exemplification of the Golden Rule—A member of the
church—A clever student—At the head of her class—School life
closed—Married to Mr. Hayes—The wedding—A marriage crowned with
affection—“All the world loves a lover”—Sensitive appreciation of
what is due her husband’s fame from her—An incident—Mrs. Hayes a
strong, self-respecting woman—A minister’s tribute to her
temperance views—Ranks her with the Marys who stood at the
cross—President Hayes—A widow’s son—His mother—A self-reliant
woman—Devotion to her children—Mr. Hayes a graduate of Kenyon
College, and of the Cambridge Law School—Practises law in
Fremont—Removal to Cincinnati—Offices held by him—Enters the army
as Major—Distinctions won during the war—At the battle of South
Mountain—Wounded in four engagements—An instance of her life in
camp—“A woman who mends the boys’ clothes”—A kind deed to a
soldier—Mrs. Hayes searching the Washington hospitals—Fails to
get tidings of him—Finds him at Middletown, Maryland—Her brother
with him—Establishes herself as nurse—In the family of Captain
Rudy—Their opinion of Mrs. Hayes—Her easy, affable ways—Visits
the hospitals and nurses the soldiers—A welcome presence in the
sick-room—Returns to Cincinnati with her husband—Her departure
sincerely regretted—Attentions to Miss Rudy—A guest in the
Governor’s house—President Hayes’ letter on the death of Captain
Rudy—The close of the war—General Hayes elected to
Congress—Re-elected—Nominated Governor of Ohio—Re-elected—The
Executive Mansion at Columbus—Social life there—Elegant
hospitality extended—Mrs. Hayes’ public duties—Works to enlarge
the State Charities—Identified with all good causes—Her wide
influence—The mother of eight children—An excellent
mother—Admirable in all the relationships of life—Summers spent
at Fremont—“Spiegel Grove”—A hospitable mansion—Description of
the house and surroundings—Burchard Park—Pen-portrait of Mrs.
Hayes—Medium height and well built—Fine eyes and expressive
features—An animated face—Excellent health and sunny nature—A
splendid specimen of physical womanhood—The Presidential canvass
in 1876—An exciting event—A season of great anxiety—President and
Mrs. Hayes in Washington—The guests of Mr. Sherman—The
inauguration—Scene in the Senate Chamber—The happy face in the
gallery—A bright glance that reassured the principal actor—At the
White House—The two Presidents at lunch—Ex-President and Mrs.
Grant leave the White House—The farewells at the door—The new
life begun—Arrival of the children and guests—First day in the
White House—Mrs. Hayes delighted with her position—Her admissions
on this subject—Anticipates enjoyment—A pleasant incident—Class
testimonial to Mrs. Hayes—The college badge—The device made in
flowers—The note accompanying the gift—“The best plans will go
aglee”—The note lost—Mrs. Hayes in a quiver of excitement—How she
learned the names of the donors—The end felicitous—The ladies
invited to the White House—A happy occasion—Mrs. Hayes’
Bibles—Enough to stock a hotel—The first reception—The most
gratified lady in the land—A radiant face—The effect as she
received—Her toilette—A simple, elegant dress—Rare laces—The
second entertainment—Dinner to the Grand Dukes Alexis and
Constantine of Russia—A brilliant gathering—The
drawing-rooms—Flowers and Sevres china—The table and dining-room
ornaments—The grand promenade—The Grand Duke Alexis and Mrs.
Hayes—President Hayes and Lady Thornton—Other members of the
brilliant company—The toilette worn by Mrs. Hayes—The facts about
the use of wine on this occasion—Not seen on subsequent
occasions—A compliment for Mrs. Hayes from Paris—Her first Sunday
in Washington—Attends the Foundry Methodist Church—Mrs. Hayes
does not interfere in official matters—Considers no applications
for appointments—A notable instance of her deviation from this
rule—A temperance postmistress retained—The reason for her
interference—Mrs. Hayes’ attentions to her “poor
relations”—Democratic independence—An instance of it—The best
carriage and liveried servants—Plain people from Ohio—A few
frills put on for their sakes—The household at the White
House—The children of the President—What an old schoolfriend said
of Mrs. Hayes—Mrs. Mary Clemmer writes of her—The eyes of a
Madonna—A woman of the hearth and home—Strong as fair—“Holding
the white lamp of her womanhood unshaken”—The finest-looking type
of man and woman—A Southerner’s opinion—“A God beautiful
woman”—President Hayes—Description of personal appearance—Manly,
refined and polished in manners—Silver-wedding—First ever
celebrated in the White House—Rev. Dr. McCabe renews his pastoral
blessing—The wedding dress of the bride—Friends
present—Interesting event—The children who were christened—The
family dinner—Formal reception next evening—The Executive Mansion
brilliant with flowers and gay costumes—Dress worn by Mrs.
Hayes—Wedding dress too small—Her guests—Those who attended the
first wedding—The only present received—A gift to Mrs. Hayes—In
memory of past kindness—From the officers of the 23d Ohio
Volunteer Infantry—A silver plate in an ebony frame—The
inscription—The log hut and torn battle-flags—Scenes in the
Kanawha Valley in 1863–64—The banquet—All the magnificent White
House tableware in use—Superb flowers—A blessing asked—Telegrams
offering congratulations—One of the pleasant affairs connected
with the administration—The two notable features it exhibited—The
cards of invitation and the present—Mrs. Hayes’ friendly interest
in the soldiers—“The mother of the Regiment”—The White House
during Mrs. Hayes’ administration—Her entertainments public and
private—Marriage of Miss Platt in the White House—Many bridal
parties there—A lunch party to young ladies—Mrs. Hayes’ tours
with her husband—Never tired of having a good time—The most
idolized woman in America—Uses the world without abusing it—An
honor to women—Presentation of her portrait to the
nation—Description of picture and frame—Farewell to
Washington—Welcome home 628