Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-05

After the meal the clubmen assembled in the
sitting room and sat in jovial converse for sew
eral hours. have often heard Mr.. Harrison
charged with being cold, reserved man, but
he showed none of those traits at the club. He
Is dignihed, 1T Is true. but a more genial charm
ing guest has never been to the Ragged ISLAM d.
There was no stiffness, no Formally. everybody
was natural. There was no hero worship long
the club men; they treated the President as
they would any Virginia gentleman who was
their guest and it evidently a relief to
him. There was not man there who wanted
anything nor would accept anything at his
hands. They wanted him to enjoy himself, but
did not overwhelm him with attentions. The
conversation was full and free, politics was not
mentioned and talks Of hunting experience
was the rule, and on that theme the President
grew animated as each clubmRn narrated his
best days shooting.
The president of the club is the living image
Of Mark Tapley with a rotund form and
chubby face, the incarnation OF good humor
and, like Mark, he is jolly undeF all circum-
stances, and the President seemed to take q
great fancy to him. 1t was a mutual liking
though l don't believe either would change
places with the other.
could not help thinking as saw the genial
crowd chatting after supper in perfect fellow
ship and bon commraderie of what an immense
thing the American republic is. Here sits the
chosen ruler OF the greatest nation on EARTH
who came to a club the members Of whom
were personally unknown to him, and what is
more came unattended by guard, courtier or
retinue and sank the ruler in the sportsman
and that too among q people long estranged
from him and his. No thoughtful man could
look at that homehke picture without thinking
many things-chief among them is that there
Is no esprit du corps SO strong as among
sportsmen, and that the Union is individable
now.
WHAT THE cLUBMEN THOUGHT.
That night after the President had retired
81 H,.w - nI,,hv Il. Al
last cigar preparatory to turning in Mr.. W GODDARD
spoke to the crowd: Boys" said he, you all
know l am a. independent as an iceberg and
say what think and think what feel. Well,
never was more pleased. found Mr.. Harri-
son to be genial and very agreeable person to
become acquainted with, and l am sure you
rarely find = more enthusiastic sportsman"
'.Yes, that's So" said the guide, who had at
tended to him at the blinds ~ never seed any
man who stuck steadier to the blinds, and be
knows how to shoot. you bet"
did he talk to you? asked one.
''Yes, at first was afraid to open nv mouth,
but he began talking to me IS II was some
body"
TIE whole establishment was awake and NOV
ing long before day. The lamps were all lit,
the stoves red hot, the guides moving bur-
riedly about collecting the traps. One by one
the e,abmen entered the sitting room, yawn-
ing and rubbing their eyes, some walked out
In the cold, clear air to get rid of their drowsi
nest, others again took other and more pleasant
ways, and the cheerful clink Of the glasses
showed what that was. The odor OF frying
meat and hot coffee began to watt through the
house. Outside the guides we're moving about
with lanterns, placing the dscoys in the boat;
me dogs were yelping with delight Soon the
President came ip, wearing his hunting clothes,
looking cheerful and bright He remarked
that he only awoke twice In the night, and
both times thought Of that Smithfsld ham.
After h.sty breakfast hs started OF alone
with the guidsa