The Olivia Letters: Being Some History of Washington City for Forty Years as Told by the Letters of a Newspaper CorrespondentBriggs, Emily Edson
History
The Olivia Letters: Being Some History of Washington City for Forty Years as Told by the Letters of a Newspaper Correspondent
Briggs, Emily Edson
United States -- Politics and government -- 1865-1933; Washington (D.C.) -- History
And now we come to that part of the story which bears such a strong
resemblance to an Eastern tale. High and low, rich and poor, all
shades, all colors, from the blanched cheek of the haughty Circassian
belle to the Ethiopian polished ebony, may be found waiting in the
ante-rooms of the White House. Yellow women are there, with skins
like dead gold, their large, soft, lustrous eyes reminding one of a
Moorish picture. A dash of a carriage is heard on the stone pavement
below. Two elegant women alight, in faultless traveling costume. They
are shown by a messenger to the ante-room, and General Dent arises
to receive them. One of them is exceedingly beautiful. “We have
called,” says the beauty, “to pay our respects to the President.”
“Any business?” inquires General Dent. The dainty upper lip curls
perceptibly. “None whatever; we are traveling; we wish to see the
President.” “Impossible, Madame,” the General replies. “All these
people you see are waiting to see the President on business. General
Grant would be pleased to see you, but he has no time he can call his
own.” The great, haughty eyes of the traveler wander about the room.
As the two are about to depart General Dent asks them if they would
be “shown about the building”? A dignified consent being given, the
two stately swans sail away, piloted by the same messenger who showed
them up the stairs.
The doors of the inner temple tremble on their hinges, and the form
of a ponderous Senator emerges from the presence of the sun of day.
It is Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts. He strides to a centre table
and shakes hands with a distinguished group of men, composed of
Cole of California, Carpenter of Wisconsin, irrepressible General
Butler, and General Markland, the personal friend of General Grant,
who was nominated for Third Assistant Postmaster-General. Very soon
Mr. Gobright of the Associated Press joins hands with them; but the
attention of all eyes is drawn in another direction. Two strangers
are announced, and again General Dent arises to receive them. Two
strange beings,--the man wears the national costume of Burmah, the
picturesque turban, and the high-colored shawl gracefully draped
about his person; the woman has spoiled her identity by adopting
certain portions of European dress. They are native Burmese, and have
been studying in this country, but soon take their departure for
Burmah, where they expect to act as missionaries. They have called to
bid President Grant farewell, and are at once shown into his presence.
Every hour brings new arrivals. A colored delegation from Alexandria
has arrived. It was promised they should see the President at 1
o’clock. It is now past the hour, but still they wait patiently.
It seems to be the colored man’s fate to wait. There is a silent
grandeur about this resignation. It is like the march of the
centuries. Art has portrayed it in the face of the Egyptian sphynx.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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