Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-15

LIKEWISE he VIEWED THE OTHER BEASTS BOTH
SMALL AND GREAT-HE RODE A PONY AROUND
RING, AND EscoBrEp PRESIDENT HARRISON
AND MRS. HARRISON
When Baby Benjamin Harrison Mckee was
lifted out of a closed carriage this morning at
the main door of the circus by Grandpa Harri-
son Capt. Dinsmore's watch said that it was
just about q minute past 10 O'Clock. Capt.
Dinsmore. who took charge Of the presidential
party, helped Mrs. Harrison out Of the vehicle
and lent a hand likewise to Baby McKee's
nurse, who brought up the rear OF the
distinguished group Of visitors from the White
House as they fled through the entrance to
the menagerie tent. the chains being taken
down by respectful attendants to let them
pass. Quite a crowd gathered about the tent
door, surprised to see the President-for the
fact that he was expected had been kept a re-
hgious secret
The earth floor of the menagerie depart
ment-only last night lake of mud and
water-had been made dry by liberal applica-
tions of sawdust. than which no readily-ob-
tainabie substance Is better calculated to alb
sorb moisture. So Baby Mckee, his grand
parents, Capt Dinsmore and the nurse
WERE ABLE TO WALK DRY sHoD.
However, young Benjamin Harrison Mckee
had come prepared for bad weather, and wore
high shoes, rubbers and a warm blue jacket
He looked strong and hearty. The people at
the circus, by the way. were decidedly sur
prlsed to see him, having made up their minds
that the morning was too wet. But it was the
babys last chance to view the animals and it
had to be taken advantage of.
so Capt DinsmOre took Baby Mckee in his
arms and the presidential party proceeded to
view the strange beasts in the menagerie tent
The most important guest did not make any
remarks, but his expression of infantile salts
faction was unmistakable as he glanced to be-
gin with, at the giraffe. The zebras appeared to
give pleasure to the baby, though-like most
people-he did not distinguish the only real
zebra ever exhibited in this country. valued at
$4,000, from the four other zebras, which are
only quaggas 1t is worth mentioning. blythe
by, that the zebra is only to be specifically dis
tinguished from the quagga by the fact that
his stripes continue down on his legs, instead
of stopping at the TANKS.
IMPRESSED BY THE ELEPHANTS
Baby Mckee was unquestionably impressed
by the elephants. Capt Dinsmore having be-
come satisfied by this time that the ground
was dry put HIM down to walk by himself and
an attendant gave him bag of peanuts with
which to feed Tom Thumb. the baby elephant
Baby Mckee exhibited some timidity when
Tom Thumb extended his trunk for the nuts,
but he braced up his courage ana held them
out one at a time on his little palm until Tom
Thumb had eaten five or SIX, which should
have been q fair meal for understood an
elephant. IL was suggested that the baby
should take ride on the elephant. but Mrs
Harrison thought she would rather not.
all this time the employees in the menagerie
tent were kept at work, in order that they
should not be tempted to stare at the guests of
the show. Baby Mckee saw the hippopotamus
the rhlnocerOs, the bears and the monkey.
Finally he came TO the big musical instrument
that Is played with sticks by three men: it was
started up for his benefit and he seemed to like
It, The illusions, III which people appear
without any bodies. he did not quite under
stand.
THE KANGAROO FAVORED.
Of all the beasts in cages he liked best the
female kangaroo with the young one in her
pouch. After the lions, tigers, camels and
many other strange creatures had been viewed
the baby found himself once more at the point
OF the elllpse where he began. He gazed ad-
mlrlngIy upon the ponies, and for his benefit the
pony colt-the pet of the show-was trotted out
for him to ride upon. So Capt Dinsmore put him
on the back of the colt. which is SIX months
old and ever so tiny, and held him there while
the party went around the ellipse second time
and once more reviewed the animals As they
went along an attendant explained to Baby
Mckee the points about the various beasts.
Finally the visitors took brief look into the
big circus tent from the entrance. They did
not go far in, because all the ground was a bog
but the show people said it would be as dry as
dry could be by this afternoon. Men were WHIP
ing OF the moist benches with mops of straw
Then Baby Mckee and the presidential party
took their departure, the whole visit having
occupied about half an hour.