The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-12-21
The White House Callers.

The blunders and strange perform
ances some people 90 through when in
the presence of greatness are amusing.
No place in this country, or probably in
the world, witnesses so 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 a
general rule the neveI-ending thr0ng
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 a dingy green velvet uphols-
terry, Ornamented 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-
rem, whose knees tremble while their
names are being sent to his excellency,
and they twist, pull and pick at the
loops so theoretically that the uphol-
sterer has to be engaged to repair dam
ages every month or SO. 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 dashed
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 idgeting in theil
seats, would leave precipitately. Again
others would come to the house, anC
upon entering would salaam to every
| person they saw behind desk, suppos
inng each time that they were salutine
the president of the United States.
Among others who 90 to see the presi
| dent are many fond mammas and crow
| ing babies, the latter of whom are inva
riably put forward as candidates fol-
| presidential kisses. From old maids who
visit Mr.. Hayes there always comes
| request for flower to remember hin
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
bred 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, thai
hard swearing, heavy-drinking socia
pirate, Andrew Jackson, used to keep
punch bowl standing during the winter
for the patriotic tramps who swarmeC
through the miry streets to see him a
his court; but now thirsty pilgrims wht
invade the sublimated moral atmosphere
of Mr.. and Mrs. Hayes, if they expec
refreshments, will find nothing of the
kind. Perhaps if they specially reques
it they will probably be served with
Appollinaris water and pumpkin pie, /;
diet which, it is said, has sent severa
wine-seasoned diplomats away from the
state dinners doubled up with collie
| Wash. Cor. CJeue. Leader.