The Monmouth inquirer., 1897-07-22


and together they started up Pennsyl-
vania avenue, stopping at millinery
shop kept by good Datured, motherly
woman. The situation being explained,
the child was welcomed and petted, but
never for a moment did she lose sight of
her important mission, carrying herself
with dignity proportionate to such an
embassadorship, much to the amuse-
ment of the good dame and her daugh-
ter. 1t was not until our little adven-
turess found herself put to bed in a big
four poster, in a room which seemed TO
have an unusual number of dark cor
ners, that she realized she was in
strange place and ON strange errand,
and not in the snug little room adjoin-
ing mothers. She had never slept away
from home before.
At last the tired child fell asleep,
with the little speech she was to make
to the president strangely mixed up
with her nightly prayers Mr.. Presi-
dent have come-to see thee-on--
God bless papa and mamma--and all
kind friends. Amen. -
The next day found her at the White
House. Crowds of people were already
waiting to see the president. She was
shown into an anteroom and waited a
long time. Lackeys came in and out,
commenting upon the visitors. Finally
they thought to amuse themselves with
the little girl, asking all sorts of ques-
tiong-what was her business, did she
want an Office, etc.
Although this hurt our little friend,
she would not let it be seen, but after
bearing their taunts in silence for some
time she answered, with flushed cheeks,
Ny business is with the president and
not his servants. They said no more.
At last the little girl was admitted.
A kind looking man sat on a blue sofa
and held out his hand. She went up,
and he took her ON his knee, just like
her father always did. 1t was SO unex-
pected she could not speak.
What can ! do for you, my chiId?"
he inquired, but the little speech had
entirely vanished She could not re-
member the first word. At last, looking
up into his face, she said, my IA
ther''--
II see, said the president, trying to
help her out. you want me to do
something for your father.
Then the little maiden found her
tongue. "Oh, no, no, no." she cried,
if thee will only let him do something
for theel'
"Ah," said he, with an amused
smile, nodding to some gentlemen who
stood near, ''is your father as independ
ent as yourself, my little woman?"
"My father just wants leave to work, y
she answered. II have come all the
/ way from Philadelphia to ask thee"
she continued impulsively.
"You are brave little woman" the
soldier said. 81 am sorry cannot do
anything for your father, or, rather,
not to be able to let your father do
something for me, I" he corrected, "but
1 have put these things out of my pow
er.
/ Out of his powerl
( The child looked at him in wonder
ment, vaguely trying to comprehend
! the law of limitation as applied to a
soldier and president.
General Taylor arose, and, taking a
bouquet from vase standing near, pre-
sented it to her, STOPPING at the same
j time to kiss her forehead.
! She understood that the interview
was over. It had been concluded with
kiss, from which there was no further
appeal, graciously given from her hero.
1t made her little topheayy for mo-
ment, forgetting she had not gained her
i end.
] And the fowersi A gentleman on
the cars, going home, offered her S. for
! them, the conductor having made quite
heroine of her. But she would not
barter the presidents gift. She realized
that they were not so substantial as q
postoffice position, but she would at
least take them to her father.
And the kiss-well, she has kept that
until this day.-Lizzie York Case in
Detroit Free Press.