Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-09-18
NEARBY CHESTER ARTHUR.
The President Amused at the Re-
port Of His Illness.
Ne Made Corner" in Sirio;a Steaks and
WatermeiOus, and Kicks Up Fifteen
Niles Of Dust.
Nv Rors J,ar.o,.

a rumOr was current yesterday that Pres
'dent Arthur lay very sick at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel 1t was said that he called
constantly for Aleck, and was easy only
when the latter Was at his bedside. Il was
telegrsphed to Washington that every effort
had been made to conceal the Presidents
condition, and that Postmaster General
Gresham had been hastily summoned to the
Fifth Avenue Hotel In the eolored barber
shops in Thompson street it was said that
the President was very near his end and had
turned over the Government to Aleck.
The reports of his illness reached the
President Just IS he was going down to
breakfast at 10 o'clock, and he was much
annoyed by them, He ate light breakfast,
consisting of two slrloin steaks half dozen
hard-bOiled eggs, thirteen pancakes and
two plates Of corn bread, and drank three
pint bowls of coffee
The President has big appetite this
morning. said the hesd-waiter at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel He eats like man st the
Jim FiSk restaurant"
The President finished up on a plate Of
ptCkles and two waIeTmelons
Il will show the people that | am not
sick" said ne. Didn't polish of those
TWO Wstermeloas we'll eh, Aiecky'
You ate dem walahmiliunS ike you war
bro Up in ole Eirgiuny, ysEh' yswhr said
Aleck
The President walked out into the back
yard Of the inn and pumped water for half
an hour 10 ShOg his strength. Then he
sent Aleck on sn GRAND 4 few minutes
later A!eck returned with Grs Hills Indian
clubs
The President picked one ofthen mp like
a toy and tossed II lightly up against the
ceiling, shsttcring chandelier. He swung
the two clubs for three-quarters Of an hour,
saying that they were like feathers He
then put up l26-pound dumb-bell for
fifteen minutes.
This is too light exercise" said the
President with look of ennui I'VE will
go out and look for some invigorating exer-
else. By the way, Aleck, is John L, Suli-
van in town.
Hes done gon back to Bos n, said
Aleck, respectfully.
Well, nv friend, said the President,
bring ups basket of watermelons and half
a bushel or so OF peaches, and We will eat
little fruit and then go up to Jones wood.
Aleck slid down the bannisters head first
aud resppeared in a few minutes witt.
clOihes-basket on his back.
"Heah am de watahmillious," he said with
q generous smile on his face.
There were four great waternelons of a
bright green color in the basket The Presi-
dent ate three and Aleck, who had already
eaten four, ate one.
The President then started up Fifth
avenue at a brisk walk for Jones wood.
Aleck arrived at the wood FIVE minutes
later than the President having taken car
AZ Forty-second street
President Arthur took Of his coat and
gave il to Aleck to hold The Chief Msgis-
trate started around the Park on a gentle
run. Grsdually he increased his speed till
he was going at the rate Of nine miles an
hour.
DO look ike sick msng' said he to
Aleck, as he finished his fifteenth mile in |
hour and SO minutes.
"G'way, g'way, chile; wsh you tryiu' to
max me bIeeye? OBJ csrse yer don"
The President walked down 10 Forty-sec-
ond street against a canary cab, Aleek run
ming four or FIVE blocks behind him. In front
of the Grand Central Depot President Ar
thur took carriage and was driven to the
Fifth Avenue Hotel.
Il guess I'll take little lunch, Aleck, be-
fore dinner" said the President.
The Presidents messenger went down
stairs and ordered the Presidents lunch. In
FIVE minutes four walters, half hidden be
hind piles Of dishes, appeared az the Presi-
dents door and walked into his room.
Il sm not ye.y hungry, said the Presi-
dent. This is my sick day. All | care
for is thirteen or forteen sandwiches and
couple of gallons of ale.
He ate two boned turkeys, . whole hall
but, three egg plants and q half dozen musk
melons
Il do not care to eat any more, said the
President; Il don't want to spoil my appe-
tite for dinner"
Postmaster General Gresham was invited
in and the President cut another water
melon. This sudden visit Of Mr.. Gresham
gave rise to the report that the President
was sick
The report had no foundation other than
that the President suffered slightly from
neuralgia pains in his face having had a
tooth pulled out the previous day.