The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-11-25

From the GALAXY
A WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION.

MARK TWAIN ATTENDS ONE, CoNvERsEs
jim NYE.
After I had drifted into the White
House with the flood tide of humanity that
had been washing steadily up the street
for an hour, obeyed the orders of the
soldier at the door and the policeman with
in and banked my hat and umbrella with a
colored man, who gave me piece of brass
with number on it, and said that that
thing would reproduce the property at any
time of the night. / doubted il, but |
was on unknown ground now, and must be
content to take a good many chances.
Another person told me to drop in with
the crowd, and would come to the Presi-
dent presently. joined, and we drifted
along till we passed certain point, and
then we thinned out to double and single
file. 1t was right gay scene, and right
stirring and lively one; for the whole place
was brightly lighted, and all down the
great hall, as far as one could see, was a
writing multitude of people, the women
powdered and painted, jeweled, and splen-
didly upholstered, and many of the men
gilded with the insignia of great naval,
military, and ambassadorial rank. 1t was
bewildering.
Our long line kept drifting along, and
by and by we came in sight of the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Grant They were standing
up shaking hands and trading civilities
with our procession. l grew somewhat at
home little by little, and then began to
feel satisfied and contented. was getting
to be perfectly alive with interest by the
time it came my turn to talk with the
President took him by the hand. looked
him in the eye, and said:
"Well reckon l see you at last, General
| have said as much as a thousand times
out in Nevada, that if ever went home to
the States would just have the private sat-
isfaction of going and saying to you by
word of mouth that thought you was
considerable of soldier anyway. Now,
you know, out there we"
turned around and said to the fellow
behind me:
snow look here, my good friend, how the
nation do you suppose can talk with sat
faction, with you crowding me this way
l am surprised at your manners"
He was understanding creature. He
said:
"But you see the whole PROFESSIONS
stopped, and they are crowding up on me-
| said:
"Some people have got more cheek.
have some respect for the place they are in
and not try to shove in on private CONVEX
sation. What the General and me are
talking about amt of the least interest to
them"
Then resumed with the President:
"Well, well, well. Now this is fine
This is what call something like
Gay9 Well, l should say so. And so this
is what you call Presidential reception
I'm free 70 say that it just lays over any.
thing that ever saw out in the sage brush
I have been to Gov. Nye's Injun receptions
at Honey Lake and Carson City, many and
many time-he that's Senator Nye now
you know him, of course. never saw q
man in all my life that Jim Nye didnt
know-and not only that, but he could tell
him where he knew him, and all about
him, family included, even if it was forty
years ago. Most remarkable man, jim
Nye-yemarkable. He can tell lie with
that purity of accent, that grace of utter
ance, and convincing emotion"
turned again and said:
"My friend, your conduct surprises me
I have come 1900 miles to have wore
with the President of the United States or
subjects with which you are not even re
motely connected, and by the living gee
whillikins can't proceed with any sort o
satisfaction ON account of your cusset
crowding. Will you just please go lit
tie slow, now, and not attract so much at
tention by your conduct ? If you had an.
eyes you could see how the bystanders ar
staring"
He said:
"But tell you, sir, it's the people be
hind. They are inst growing, and surg
ing, and showing, and wish | was in Jeri
cho, do"
said