The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-04-22
AN INCIDENT OF THE TRIP.
The Meeting Between the President and
TeA.y TiGertail In Florida.

The Meeting Between the President and |
Tommy TiGertail In Florida.
ST. AUGUSTINE, April 1s.-The President |
met Tommy Tieertail at little peninsula that
juts into the Kissimmee River. in the very
heart OF Florida. 1t was an unex pected incident.
and in some respects the most interesting one
OF the Florida excursion that the President has
been enjoying for two weeks. Tommy is o
full blooded prince Of the Seminole tribe. and
II his name and costume raised smile his
bearing did not. He had as much dignity as
Uncas did when he cut piece OF flesh from
Miantonomoh's shoulder and ate 1t with the re-
mark that 1t was the sweetest meat he ever ate
Ancient historians say that Uncas never
seemed 30 dignifed IS at that moment. So
when Tommy Tieertail rugged himself
up in his court costume. with his
squaw and her sister and the papooses
OF both as ladies In waiting. he was
stern. and meant to be impressive Yet Tom
my's costume was q singular complication Of
everything and nothing. Above his thighs he
looked like the sign OF Baxter street second
hand clothing shop; below nothing. gay
colored shawl was bound In folds tightly around
his head. He seemed top-heavy with 1t. or as
though he was carrying red tub on his scalp.
Next there was shirt. with polished front.
and an alligator tooth In the stud hole. Over
this q blue'vest. buttonsd tightly over the broad
chest, and cut Low enough for one TO see the
chest swell with expansive breathing stand
up collar that cut into his ears held his head like
a stock. and a gay-colored handkerchief fut-
tered in tho breeze from his mock. A brass
watch chain dangled from the vest pocket. and
belt from which hung an old bayonet scab-
there; was nothing else. Tho squaws wore loose
fitting calico gowns and the papooses were
When tho little dugout in which the Presi-
dent was padded to the kim, kingdom q Tommy r
hre ha 5es
before Tommy had finished dressing. Tommy
eeive the e Great Father into the former King
dom of the seminoles. The President met
the Presidents fishing boots. and then slowly
thss the hep Presdent Wore and finally Sns bis
eyes sQuareIy upon the President's;
e% s xia to ssd Hom saS the President
" You have iin n,S country"
~" $sss ss ssf'd isff S"s'
""ii i'm caught fish,"
Here the President saw that Tommy was eyy; ;
ing The as m ha
i"T U9hl !" H H pa and the Seminole chief
HSen he ns up seized the Presidents
ana rshST SSSs Ssik s NV pas.
the era Q, his own cigar; ana il xai Question
but Tommy eSidsntly desired to smoke the Pipe
q peace. and the President grstifed him.
a rom aHm
iSr stood like image he he F Eas
| understand Interpreter w. L. Chambers SER
vices were called upon. - -, ,o ,u
| How many sunsIyou-how old. now many
ugh Thirsy."
,e y This IS the Secretary of the Navy" said the
President" ~
liz IS KIM Of all the Great Fathers ships"
lie has al the ships with big gums"
The Introduction was failure. Tommy did
ys.sSS Sas e!Isls tSsSFSt
f ts eist sf bore the name q !. Chandler
Tommy snap Snapped At it like bass At scarlet
ibis IF opened all the blades and then stuck
was s' suggested pd that tho health of Tommy
brought from the dugout ada T0mmys Syss
seized a bottle and swallowed the contents
almost without gulp, like good fisherman.
Heap-a good said Tommy. and instantly
he resumed his statuesque attitude.
Here the President turned to the queen OF
the Seminoles. She was as homely squaw as
Tommy was handsome a buck. She never
lifted her eyes from the ground but when TIE
President chucked the pappo9se under the
chin and gave him silver dollar the sInaw
Around the neck Of the squaw was necklace.
| string OF o hundred or more ten-cent pieces
The Hon. w. T.. Chandler brought out few
| more t. give her. and was Offering them, when
| he was touched on the shoulder by Tommy
Then Tommy's hand was extended. and Mr.
Chandler meekly deposited tho coin therein,
| Here tho President signified his intention OF
| quilting the soil OF the Seminoles. Tommys beer
mellowed him little and he blew great clouds
OF smoke, and gestieulated franticaly with his
arms. The Hon. W. Z. Chandler was some'
what frightened. but the President was calm
and babe Tommy Tigertail digniaed farewell
To this Tommy responded with most freeHing
dignity and the President Quilted the soil Of
The President saw two. more Seminole
braves. These were Billy Ham and Jimmy
TustlinogRa. Billy 10 q prince 81 the roya
blood and Is as homely as Fill Islander
Indian as eyer drew breath. Both were naked
as to the legs. both wore dress shirts ant
vests over them. and both were very drunk
They had been up to Kissimmee with pelts
deer skins. two or three live rattlesnakes, sn(
had received forty dollars for them
Hearing that tho Great Father WA
down the river they started on In thei