Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/310

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Women from the Time of Mary Washington
277


FRANCES FOLSOM CLEVELAND.

Rose Elizabeth Cleveland presided over the White House most acceptably for about a year, when it was rumored that she was to be succeeded by her brother's bride, and much interest was manifested as to who that fortunate person was to be. It finally developed that it was the beautiful Miss Frances Folsom, of Buffalo, New York, who immediately on her return from Europe, was married to Grover Cleveland, the President of the United States.

Miss Folsom was the daughter of Mr. Cleveland's former law partner, and she was his ward from the time of the tragic death of her father, who was killed in an accident. She had been educated at Wells College and had spent a year in Europe after Mr. Cleveland's election to the Presidency. It was claimed the engagement existed at the time of his election but desiring to spend a year abroad before assuming the grave responsibility of Mistress of the White House, the wedding was not hastened. She was but twenty-two years old at the time of her marriage. On the 27th of May, she arrived in New York from her European sojourn. It was found that unusual preparations were being made in the White House for expected guests. Miss Cleveland, Mistress of the White House, accompanied by Mr. Cleveland's secretary, Mr. Lamont, and his wife, and several of the ladies of the Cabinet, hurried to New York to meet Miss Folsom and her mother on their arrival on the "Noordland" from Antwerp. The party immediately repaired to the Gilsey House where they were soon after joined by the President and the friends who accompanied him. They returned on Monday to Washington, Mrs. Cleveland and her mother going to the White House with the party. They remained as guests until on Wednesday evening, June 3rd, when the President and Miss Folsom were