Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-10


use Of the rod and gun.
He does not care to
cast the fly for trout, but prefers to troll for
blue fish. Quail, which afford the finest sport
in the neighborhood of Washington, have never
served as game for him. success with them requir-
ing patient walking and great quickness. He has
found it more amusing to shoot ducks from be-
hind blind in the Chesapeake or to kill deer
with night light in the Adironacks than to
stalk them by day.
THE CHESAPEAKE DUCKS.
President Harrison is a duck hunter. Though
not very good shot, he is very fond of the
sport, and he also has popped away at these
waterfowl in the Chesapeake. The ducks Of
that region have been presidential game ever
since the government began. 1t is probable
that George Washington bagged many q brace
of them. In his day canvas backs were thick
in the Potomac. Subsequent Presidents have
mostly taken a shot at thom. 1t will be remem-
bered that Mr.. Harrison, three years ago. mis-
took pig for coon in the Virginia woods and
killed the animal. Unfortunately. it was not "a
wild but an educated pig. belonging to col
ored person in that vicinity. who received pay
ment for it from the club which was entertain
Ing the President as its guest at the time.
BILLIARDS AND WHIST.
Mr.. Cleveland earned the reputation of being
the hardest working President that the country
has ever had. In that respect he even ex-
celled Mr.. Harrison. Nevertheless, during his
term at the White House he found time for an
occasional game OF billiards, at which he is
quite an expert. He is also particularly good
whist player. and puts up a strong game OF
poker now and then in company with a few in
innate friends. He does not care much for
driving, which has always been Mr.. Harrison 3
favorite amusement Mrs. Cleveland used to
attend the famous paper chases which amused
the society of Washington when she was q
tride. At the meets Of the Cross Country Club
in those days Secretaries Whitney, Bayard and
Falrchlld were always present. together with
younger members of the diplomatic corps, in
including DR.. Vow Of the Chinese legation, who
to escape the fate of Absalom, always carried
the end of his queue in his pocket. On those
occasions the Department of State the clerks in
which compose fair ma ority of the dancing
men" at the capital was emptied of its working
force. Mrs. Cleveland sat in one OF the car
riages which used to be drawn up at the finish
to watch the riders come in and 60 over the
final hurdles.
President ARTHUR WAS A REALLY SCIENTIFIC
FISHERMAN.
Sport with rod aud reel was his fayorite out,
door enjoyment. On one occasion he.and Gen.
Sheridan went out to the Yellowstone Park to
fish, hunt and camp out. They got away so far
out OF reach Of the telegraph that the chef ex-
ecutlve OF the nation practically forsook the
reins Of government for many days. II any,
thing serious had happened to require action
by him, as might very possibly have occurred, it
would have been necessary to put scouts on his
trail to hunt him down. Mr. Arthur tried his
best to get some fun out of his term of Office.
but he found it very difficult. The President Is
the hardest worked man In the United States,
and he can hardly take a vacation without car
rying the shop with him. When Mr.. Cleveland
went up into the North Woods he still remained
tosome extent in harness. a line OF courers con-
Meeting his camp wherever he went with the
nearest telegraph Office. Mr.. Arthur was very
fond OF the theater especially comedy, because
he liked to laugh. Above all things he de-
lighted in giving little stag dinners at the White
House. to which he invited the men who talked
best and were most congenal He was an emil
nently social man, and it is snid of him that he
was the most aniiable President the United
States has ever had. He did not drop his old
intimates when he was elected. as other Presi-
dents have very commonly found it expedient
to do.
THE WHITE HOUSE BILLIARD TABLE.
The billiard table on which Mr. Cleveland
has played and will play again in the White
House was originally purchased for President
Garfield. Gen. Garfield had the present
billiard room in the basement Of the Executive
Mansion fitted up for that purpose and he PLAYED
friends, Judge Advocate General SALTWATER
ward court-mar tailed under Arthur and sus-
pended for alleged fraudulent practices-Capt
Almon T.. Rockwell and Capt. Henry c. Corbin.
Rockwell was superintendent Of public build
Ings and grounds. Gen. Garfield liked cards.
though he never played for money. He was
very fond Of all kinds of games. II he could
not get anybody to play with him he would try
solitaire. He was a first-rate horseback rider
and held an honorary membership in the Wash
ington Base Ball Club. Before he became
President he used to attend the base ball games
regularly.
WATER OR WINE.
President Hayes was nothing OF a sport. In
fact, it may fairly be said that he had no amuse-
ments whatever. He cared nothing for driving
and he was never known to play any games. He
was socially disposed. however. and used to re-
ceive visitors commonly in the evenings to-
gether with Mrs. Hayes. 1t will be remem-
bered what sensation was caused by Mrs.
Hayes announcement that she would serve no
wines at state or other dinners at the White
House. Respecting this matter of intoxicants
President is always obliged to make choice
between the Two horns of a very unpleasant
dilemma IL he offers wine to his guests the
prohibition cranks assail him with vituperetive
epithets calling him a ''wine bibber" and SO
forth. They did not hesitate to stigmatize Mr.
Arthur as ''loathsome debauchee'' be cause of
the other hand, the chief executive offers moth
ing stronger than water to his friends people
call him a Temperance fanatic" or. worse STILL
declare that he Is parsimonious. Mr.. Hayes was
condemned stingy because he served no wine,
Notwithstanding the fact that he spent more
money Oh entertainments than any other Presi-
dent except Arthur.
GEN. GRANTS LOVE OF DRIVING.
Gen. Grants favorite game was Boston Z"
He used TO play it great deal with Gen. Van
Vhet and Gen. Rufus Ingalls,. the latter for
Potomac. The amusement in which the hero
OF Appomattox found most pleasure. however,
was driving. He was extremely fond Of speed
trotter. Nearly every afternoon he drove out
in buggy with his feet mare Julia" He also
owned a dark bay charger named "cincinnatus''
est Louis and Egypt" TAera wero eight
other horses besides these in his stable, includ-
ing two ponies which belonged to his son
Jesse. The general carried into the White
House his army habits of regularity. After
breakfast every morning he was accustomed to
take walk, always with his left hand behind
him and his right hand holding a lighted cigar.
His favorite dishes wore rare roast beef and
boiled hominy.
PRESIDENT LIScoLS's LEISURE MoMENTs.
President Lincoln was too seriously and anx-
iously busy during his tenancy Of the White
House to indulge in many amusements. The
fayofi.e occupation OF his leisure moments was
reading Shakespeare. Tits doubtful il he know
any game of cartls He rant In tha thas tar a