River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-07-22

dens. but there were many other won
derful things seen there in the course
of half an hour.
The next day was Wednesday. The
first thing done was to take the cleo
trio cars, go careering across the cele-
brated Long bridge, and stop at Airing
ton national cemetery. There is the
former home of Gen. Robert f. Lee,
and around about il skilled landscape
gardeners have beautified the last rest
ing places of ~ 900 union soldiers. There
are monuments TO generals. colonies,
captains, lieutenants, and also to pri-
vate soldiers. In front Of the old man
sion, overlooking the national capital,
is a splendid monument of Gen. Phil
sheridan, with his likeness in bronze.
II took nearly all morning TO see Ar
l;ngton, and then return to the hotel
for dinner.
In the afternoon there was a trip to
the bureau of engraving and printing.
the place where all our paper money
and all of our postage stamps are print
ed. II is a wonderful workshop; but
everything is so barred off that il is
difficult to see much of the workings of
the bureau. The workingmen and the
women are all barred in. and the pub
lie barred out. because there are mil
lions upon millions of dollars in money
right there all the time.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the
president gave a public reception, and
our editorial brother went there. II
was a great sight. He was ushered into
the east room, and there were about 300
people awaiting an opportunity TO
shake hands with the president. 1t was
Is minutes after three o'clock when the
president appeared. and took his place
at the door leading out into the cor
ridor. The crowd filed past him, one at
a time. in single file. and he took the
hand of each caller. bowed and passed
him on TO the hall. II was all over in
ten minutes, and ,Ae president went
back 10 his public duties. But he can
now saw to his associates as he takes
up his pen TO write: "This is the hand
that shook the hand of William Nc
Kinley." Very few people, compare
lively speaking. ever have an oppor-
tunity to see one of our presidents,
much less to see him face to face, and
clasp his hand.
The day was waning. but il had been
well spent. The editor then entered
an open coupe, and was driven out over
the hills of northwest Washington to
the soldiers home; that comfortable
retreat where the veterans who are
homeless may go and spend their last
days i'm peace, quiet, comfort and pride;
for they are all proud of their home,
and of their soldier records.
After driving all over the vast acreage
within the soldiers home walls, the
driver refined his horses and called at
tention to what is called the capitol
vista" The dome of the capitol, which
is five miles away, can be seen through
the trees, for there is an opening di-
rectly through the trees which looks
as though it had been purposely hewn;
but the driver says that if is natural
opening, and everybody believes that
ii is so.
Now, when you come 10 Washington,
and have only two days to spend here.
il you will follow this itinerary, you
will find that by systematic effort you
will be able to see great deal, and
enjoy every minute of your time.
SMITH d. FRY.