The Wichita tribune., 1898-08-06
How They Saw the President.

How They Saw the President.
THE President to Arrive This After
noon" So in bold type the Public
Ledger announced to Bess that Febru-
ary morning as she caught a passing
glimpse OF it on her way through the
library. She hesitated only long enough
to read: "The Presidential Train to
Arrive at P. NJ" and then hurried
on to the station, where she and Jennie
met and took the train to the city,
where they were attending a select
school.
The topic of conversation six miles
long-from Sharon Hill to Philadelphia
was all about the president, who was
to address the university students in
the Academy of Music that night.
20 Jennie" said Bess, 1--WE will be
at the Broad Street Station when his
train arrives. School is over at half
past two, and his train is not due un-
til three o'clock, and our train does not
leave until three-seventeen."
At recess, at luncheon, and at times
during study periods all that day there
was one absorbing thought-the presi-
dent But at last the tedious lessons
were finished and school was over for
the day. In a whirl of excitement and
expectancy two little girls hurried with
all possible speed to the station. There
they found every place crowded by
cheering, yelling students and the pub
lie in general. The sidewalks, streets,
and the station itself, were thronged
with people eager to see the president.
1t was with great difficulty that the po
lice managed to open an avenue
through the mass of humanity for the
travelling public to reach the trains
ready for departure
Bess and Jennie, with the aid of a
policeman, managed to push their way
that gave them view OF the exit from
the trains. Here they stood, each with
one eye on the arriving trains and
the other on the clock. And as every
passing minute brought the time for
the departure Of their train nearer, and
still the presidential train was not in
sight. they became fearful lest they
might. after all. fail to see him.
In consequence of the crowded con-
dition of the station, and the great diff
ficulty for women and children to
reach the trains, rumor was started
that several of the way trains to near
by points would not leave until after
the arrival Of the presidential party,
which was not expected until quarter
past three This order, or rumOr, in
cluded the seventeen-minutes- past
three train to Sharon Hill.
It was now thirteen minutes past
three, and hardly had Bess and Jennie
smiled and joyously expressed their
approval for such arrangements, that
seemed specially favorable to them,
when they heard above the din Of the
waiting crowd: Sharon Hill way
train, gate number three. All aboard"
and looking up they saw the hands of
the clock pointing to quarter past three
20 Bess, only two minutes, and such
a crowd to get through"
20 Jennie! We will miss the presi-
dent!" almost sobbed Bess in her dis
appointment.
But already they were pushing
through the throng, Bess leading and
Jennie closely following in her wake.
All of a sudden they pushed through
the crowd, and before them opened a
wide avenue lined on either side by po-
licemen and leading directly to the
gates. Down this rushed Bess, followed
by Jennie. One policeman reached for
them as they passed, but they escaped.
On they went toward their train,
where they could see the conductor,
with watch in hand, ready to give the
signal for departure. This still fur
ther hurried their movements and at
their utmost speed they were rushing
toward the goal, when they plunged
unceremoniously into two gentlemen
walking arm in arm
~ beg your pardon!" escaped the
well-night breathless pair, and as they
heard, 1T is certainly granted" they
looked up, and behold. it was the pres
ident who had spoken, and by his side
was the provost of the university.
They dared not stop for a second
look, but rushed on, while the crowd
sent up deafening shout of welcome.
20 Jennie. to think that he spoke
to us; and excused us so kindly" said
Bess, as they seated themselves just
as the train began to move.
Should they live to be as old as
their grandmothers, they will never
tire of telling how they saw the presi-
dont -Erank r. Graaff in Won't e
Companion.