the free coinage of silver, and made frequent trips through the West and South advocating it. In 1895, he spoke in Birmingham, Ala. As he closed Prof. H. P. Burris, the local leader of the Populists, asked him if he would support a Democrat who held the views of Cleveland and Carlisle, if nominated on a gold platform by the Democrats this year. With great emphasis he replied:

"Nothing in heaven above, on the earth below or in hell beneath, could make me support a gold standard candidate on a gold standard platform."

Just before the Chicago Convention, when asked if he would accept a compromise on the silver question by the Chicago Convention, he said:

"No compromise on the silver question is either to be desired or tolerated. Every State which has declared for silver has adopted a platform which declares for free and unlimited coinage of both gold and silver at the present legal ratio of 16 to 1 without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation on earth, and this will be the substance of the Chicago declaration.

"The silver Democrats have fought against great odds; they have had to contend against the world, the flesh and the devil, but they have won the fight.

"The success of our cause is due to the support it has found among the common people, and any attempt to modify or weaken the position already taken in the silver States would rob the campaign of its enthusiasm and subject the delegates to the charge of having betrayed their constituents."

PERSONALISM AND HOME LIFE..

A friend who called on Mr. and Mrs. Bryan at the

Clifton hotel, just after he had received the nomination, thus sketched the pair:

"Mr. Bryan's handsome head was bent over a writing desk his dark hair fell back from a broad, white brow, his veiled eyes followed the lightninglike movements of his pencil, and he looked like the embodiment of strength, courage, decision and noble manhood. Mrs. Bryan stood beside him, a fit companion for the man. She is tall, dark-haired, with a clear complexion and a fine figure. In relation to her early life Mrs. Bryan said:

"I was Mary Elizabeth Baird and I was born in Pike County, Ill., and in 1881 was graduated with the highest honors of my class from the Young Ladies' School, at Jacksonville, Ill.

"In 1884 I was married to Mr. Bryan and during the twelve years of our married life three children have joined our family circle. Our home is just the ideal spot on earth. My eldest daughter, Ruth, is eleven years of age. My boy, William J. Bryan, Jr., is seven, and my baby girl is five, and we are, indeed, a happy family.

"I am hardly what one would call a society woman, said Mrs. Bryan. I am president of the Lincoln Sorosis Club and take a keen interest in everything that pertains to the advancement of woman. I am not an avowed 'woman suffragist.

"I want everything that will broaden, elevate and uplift women and make them better wives, mothers, sisters and companions. If, after careful investigation, I find that the ballot is necessary to bring about this development, I shall be in favor of woman suffrage.

"I play the piano only for the amusement of my little family. I can swim, and I am just taking my first lessons on a wheel. I love good literature and endeavor to keep

myself posted on the principal topics of the day. In 1887 I took a course of law at Union College, Chicago, and was admitted to the bar. I did not do this with a view to going into the general practice of law, but to bring myself in touch with my husband's work.

"I do not read much law at present, for since Mr. Bryan became so deeply interested in politics I have given most of my attention to educating myself in this direction I have been in attendance at the convention every day and have enjoyed every moment of it. It has been glorious, hasn't it? The enthusiasm is so delightfully inspiring. Of course, I am more pleased than I can express at the honor which has been bestowed upon my husband, and I feel unbounded confidence in his ability to win a great victory.'

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As to Mrs. Bryan's appearance the visitor continued: "She must be seen, and when she is seen she must smile in order to bring out the perfect sweetness of her face. She is a woman of medium height. Her complexion is fair, her hair is a light brown and her eyes, the chief charm of her face, are dark bluish gray, outlined with heavy dark lashes. She was dressed in a becoming costume of dark blue cashmere, trimmed with delicate touches of white honiton braid. A small dark turban completed a neat street costume and made her appear just what the great American people will find her to be, a thoroughly womanly woman, gracious, kind, companionable, and a woman capable of presiding with dignity over the great mansion that shelters the master of the White House."

With full faith in his own ability, he naturally looks hopefully toward a favorable destiny. Two months before his nomination, he said to an intimate friend:

"I think I shall be the next President of the United