Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-05-23
A JOLLY CROWD.

hundred guests and over were entertain
ed in royal style, and there were many
features of the occasion that will long
be remembered. The list of guests was
made up from among the most famous
men and clubs of the country. The club
organizations were the GridirOn Club, OF
Washington; the Glover Club, of Phila-
delphia; the Journalist Club, of Balti-
more, and the Press Club, of New York,
which include many of the best known
writers and correspondents of America.
The Administration officials present in
cluded Mr.. Blaine, Secretary of State;
Mr.. Tracy, Secretary of the Navy; Mr..
Noble, Secretary of the Interior; Mr..
Rusk, Secretary of Agriculture, &c. In
addition were Mr.. Theodore Roosevelt,
Civil Service Commissioner; Mr.. Bussey,
Assistant Secretary of the Interior; Hen
ry Cabot Lodge and many others.
When the train stopped at Stevenson,
the nearest station to Nacirema, two
miles away, fifty carriages were in wait
ing to take the half regiment to tine
house.
OuC lOllC NdSOu SOOOu Illo
at Stevenson's, almost overlooked in the
rush of guests to get seats in the COM
Portable buses and carriages. 1t had a
a magnificent team of four white Per-
cherOn horses, all gaily trapped with
bells and ribbons, but it wasn't inviting
to the traveller, for it was a hay wagon,
without seats or cover. The crowd
rushed past it until Ned Hay, of the
Gridiron Club, jumped upon its boards
and in his stentOrian voice shouted:
"Here's Hays wagon! All aboard for
the cOuntryw One or two followed him
and clambered over the high muddy
wheels upon the vehicle. Just then the
members of the Cabinet came out of the
cars, and stout, gray-haired, gray
whiskered gentleman, wearing black
Prince Albert coat and a high silk hat,
left the distinguished party and jumped
over mud puddle and made his way to
the big white near horse. The teamster
looked at him, for as the old gentleman
made his move the crowd of the guests
started cheer.
Say, my fine fellow" remarked the
stout gentleman to the teamster, "let
me ride your horse"
"Nope; can't do it," the teamster re-
piled.
'But am the Secretary of Agricul-
ture, and L must take up my load of
hay to Nacirema."
Just then one of the Washington boys
gave the wink to the man on the horse,
and he slid off its back, and Uncle Jere
Rusk nimbly jumped into the saddle. A
wild cheer went up from the big crowd
as the Secretary grasped the big, heavy
whip and cracked it over the leaders
back. Then that hay-wagon became the
most popular one at the station. Every
one wanted to get on it. Statesmen and
lawyers, managing editors and reporters,
correspondents and plain writers, as well
as goodly number of other men dis |
tinguished in various paths of life, gladly |
stood upon the boards which formed the
bottom of the wagon. Uncle Jere
watched his time, and again cracking
his whip chirruped to his team and |
started them off down the road to Naci- !
rema.
This reminds me of my old stage !
driving" he remarked to the boy riding |
the off horse.
Everybody shouted as the Agricultu- |
raj Department passed down the road
The crowd on the wagon got good
shaking up, for the old vehicle was
moved at good speed by its driver; but
they did not mind it, and the bells on
the horses jingled merrily in accordance
oh Of Trrhi
The sun was hot, and soon little drops
of perspiration began to trickle down
from under Uncle Jere's high silk hat,
but he kept manfully on. His trousers
legs gradually worked nearly up to
to his knees, showing low cut shoes and
black hose. Still the rider did not mind
the trip as much as the occupants of the
wagon, who were jolted from one side
to the other as the wagon rolled down
the road.
As each carriage passed the team the
occupants of both would cheer and
shout, and Uncle Jere had an ovation
all along the road. He did not say
much, but no doubt he thought great
deal.
At length, when he reached the old
mill near Nacirema, he again turned to
his companion on the off horse and
asked:
What is that?"
"a MILL" replied the boy.
THANK you," answered the Secretary,
and he cracked his whip in silence for
some distance.
The entrance to Nacirema is beautiful.
The gateway is fine, but rather narrow
for big, wide-spreading hay-wagon,
and every one wondered how the Secre-
tary would make the sharp turn and
take his team and wagon through the
posts.
With shout and whOop from the
crowd in the vehicle, and an extra -four
ish of the whip from the distinguished
teamster, he pulled the leaders reins
and the horses swung gracefully around,
and amid salvo of hurrahs the wagon
welt triumphantly through the gate,
and the Secretary ran his hand across .
hi brow and wiped off the beads #
perspiratiOn.
Under the trees and up the avenue
Uncle Jere drove his team, stopping bat
twice on the heavy hill to give his four
horses a chance to blow.
II have over three tons aboard" he
"but it is the finest team |
ever drove"
As the horses made the last effort and
came wheeling around the avenue be-
fore the mansion nearly all the guests
were gathered on the lawn, and wild