The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-09-23
SMALL BOY AND BRYAN.
Rudely Refuses the Acquaintance Of
the Candidate.


Chicago Tribune.
The candor and lngcnuouHness OF
childhood we're responsible for n de-
cidedly awkward situation during Mr.
Bryan's rccsnt visit 10 this city. which
disturbed even the eHianlmlty Of the
populist candidate. and brought unut-
tcrnbls confusion upon a dOtinR nam.
ma and aunt II occurred during one
Of those little informal receptions that
Mr. Bryan occasionally gave In the
parlor Of the Auditorium Anpcx. on
the occasion In question the wife 0f a
man formerly connected with several
of the big downtown hotels. together
with her boy a winsome little fellow Of
nyc or six years Of age. with an ex-
cccdingiy well-dcveloped bump u pre-
cocity. and her slster-in-law we're
among those present when Mr.. Bryan
entered the room and began his usual
routine of Handwriting and exchange
u compliments, Both she and her
slater-in-law were ardent admirers of
Mr.. Bryan. and when their turn came
they greeted him with much ELUSIVE
ness. telling him how much interested
they were IN his campaign, and how
they hoped 10 see him successful.
He received these compliments In his
usual benIgnhnt manner. and then
CHANGING b see the boy. who was
standing just behind his mother. and
thinking doubtless 10 further cement
the friendship of mhmma and aunt
h. bent over toward the boy. and as
Stunning one Of his 10 90 / smiles. ex-
tended his hand and said In his bland
est tones.
"wnl you not shake hands with me.
my little man7'
The mother was. of course. delighted
with this notice of her boy. but the
little man" for some reason showed
no disposition 10 meet Mr.. Bryan's ad-
yanccs. and Il was with anything but
a friendly eye that he Razed upon the
formers smiling face. The mother
quickly noticed the child's evident in
disposition To grasp the hand that was
extended TO him. and thinking II was
due 10 embarrassment said encour-
agingly and p~ersuaslvely:
Shake hands with Mr. Bryan.
dear. He will be our next president"
Little was she prepared for the an
asns.- auhN.A laaAaN lYaNaVsT.a a. A..
child's lips:
Il won't shake hands with Mr.. Bry-
an. and he amt going 10 be our next
president, neither"
The mother was 30 overwhelmed with
establishment tina she gazed at the
child In n state OF utter and hopeless
confusion. The situation was rather
trying for Mr.. Bryan. but thinking to
relieve the mothers embarrassment.
and perhaps inspired with curiosity as
10 the child's unwlllingness to shake
his hand, he asked pleasantly:
why won't you shake hands with
me?'
AZ quickly rs before the answer
came from the child. and it left the
mother and aunt in a state OF hopeless
paralysis:
Cause papa says you amt no
good"
why. Tommy. you naughty boy.
your papa never said such a thing"
said the mother. almost ready TO cry.
so great was her embarrassment.
The stereotyped smile on Mr.. Bryan's
face had faded to a large extent. and
a painful silence pervaded the nom.
Then he made a heroic effort to pass
the incident over pleasantly. and said
with u smile to the mother as he turned
to greet others In the room;
THE boy is all right, madam. but l
fear you have neglected his political
education"
The mother was unable to say a
word, and, taking the child by the
hand. left the room.