Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-12-25
The White House Callers.


Sances some people go through when in
the presence of greatness are amusing
No place in this country, or probably in
the world, witnesses 80 many of these as
the reception rooms of the White House.
Most of the presidents time is taken up
in receiving the calls of people who
come to see him for no other purpose
than to shake hands and thus crafty
their curiosity. There are many others,
however, who visit the White House for
thousand and one reasons, and as d
general rule the never-ending throng
that seek the presence of the president
are well-mannered, intelligent and easy
appearing people.
Embarrassment and nervousness are
generally the predominating weaknesses
to which the callers find themselves sub.
ject, and the marks of this can be seen
on the furniture in the ante-rooms.
This is of dingy green velvet uphols-
terry, ornamentcd with heavy tassels and
fringe The pendant cords of these ap-
pear to be about the only things that
can give relief to the palpitating breth.
ren, whose knees tremble while their
names are being sent to his excellency,
and they twist, pull and pick at the
loops so energetically that the uphol-
sterer has to be engaged to repair dam
ages every month or 90. To the attaches
of the president the pranks of these peo
pie afford a constant study of the human
character. One of them told me this
week that embarrassment seemed at
times to bring out peoples true nature
as readily as liquor does in other in
stances. He said he had seen big, stout
men come to the white house to see the
president, who, after they had lashed
themselves up to the point of sending in
their cards, the prospect of an encounter
with the personality of so much power,
after half an hours Rdgeting in their
seats, would leave precipitately. Again,
others would come to the house, and
upon entering would salaam to every
person they saw behind a desk, suppos-
inng each time that they were saluting
the president of the United States.
Among others who 60 to see the presi-
dent are many fond mammas and crow
ing babies, the latter of whom are inva-
riably put forward as candidates for
presidential kisses. From old maids who
visit Mr.. Hayes there always comes a
request for a flower to remember him
by, and as there are many of these, the |
president manages to pull two or three
bouquets to pieces every crowded day.
A crowded day means six or eight hun
dred callers. There have been as many
as four thousand people at the executive
mansion in one day; but it was during
the centennial. In the olden time, that
hard swearing, heavy-drinking social
pirate, Andrew Jackson, used to keep a
punch bowl standing during the winter
for the patriotic tramps who swarmed
through the miry streets to see him at
his court; but now thirsty pilgrims who
invade the sublimated moral atmosphere
of Mr.. and Mrs. Hayes, if they expect
refreshments, will find nothing of the
kind. Perhaps if they specially request
it they will probably be served with
water and pumpkin pie, q
diet which, it is said, has sent several
diplomats away from the
state dinners doubled up with colic.-
Wash. Cor. C1eue. Leader.