Publication information |
Source: Harper’s Bazar Source type: magazine Document type: editorial Document title: “Mrs. McKinley’s Bonnet” Author(s): anonymous Date of publication: November 1901 Volume number: 35 Issue number: 7 Pagination: 697 |
Citation |
“Mrs. McKinley’s Bonnet.” Harper’s Bazar Nov. 1901 v35n7: p. 697. |
Transcription |
full text |
Keywords |
Ida McKinley; William McKinley; William McKinley (personal character). |
Named persons |
Ida McKinley; William McKinley. |
Document |
Mrs. McKinley’s Bonnet
DURING the national gloom of the past two months a pretty little story went
the rounds in Washington, illustrating anew the diplomacy of the late President
McKinley. Before the fatal visit to Buffalo, so the story goes, Mrs. McKinley
was endeavoring to select a bonnet. The milliner was with her, and the President
had been sent for. He was occupied with official business, but responded at
once.
The President beheld Mrs. McKinley radiant in
a superb “effect” of the milliner’s art. He smiled broadly, nodded in a joyous
manner, and remarked that the milliner had fairly outdone herself, intimating
that he should take pleasure in officially approving the negotiations. The milliner
suggested that possibly the bonnet in the box might be even more pleasing. Bonnet
number two was adjusted upon Mrs. McKinley’s head. Then the trouble began. Mrs.
McKinley peered at the reflection in the long mirror, and seemed pleased; the
President’s smile broadened, and he observed that the bonnet was a dream. Then
number one was again given the place of honor, and the President said it was
a dream, too.
After numerous transpositions, neither Mrs. McKinley
nor the President could name the favorite, and a deadlock seemed inevitable.
Then the diplomacy for which the President was justly famous pressed itself
into the breach. Turning to the milliner, he smilingly remarked, “You may leave
both, and I will endeavor to pay for them.”
There is an obvious lesson for husbands in this.