The times., 1898-06-20
UNDER THE JUNIPER TREE.


was rather pleased with the idea of being
introduced to the public dignified in
stitution of the White House grounds.
and several times last week. when news
paperdom had assembled within the cool
borders of Jonah's Dreamland 1t whis-
pered into our ears small tales of Execu-
tive Mansion incidents.
One of the stories told us by the Juniper
Tree was about trio Of sightseeing pri-
Yates from Camp Aiger. The Mecca of
their pilgrimage was the White House.
and they had spent considerable time in
admiring the gorgeous beauty of the East
Room when 1t occurred to one of the
three that the State, War and Navy De-
partment would be place prolific of in
terest.
'They won't let you in over there,
said the White House door officer, TO
whom the trio had expressed their desire:
its after visiting hours
''Is there no way at all we can get
in?" asked the leader of the little party
lit may be a long time before we get
another leave from camp"
A tall, gray man, wearing a straw hat
was winding leisurely way through the
grounds, and simultaneous with the
anxious query of the three soldiers the
door officer saw him. More in spirit
of fun than anything else, he pointed to
the approaching figure and replied;
THAT old gentleman coming there can
give you pass that will take you in.
The soldiers waited on the White House
steps for the distinguished looking gentle
man to come within easy haiiing distance.
Their leader stood apart from the other
two and accosted the man who could give
them a pass.
Pardon me, sir, but there are three Of
us here who would like to get into the
State, War and Navy Department We
are told that il is after visiting hours and
that we cannot get in without a pass from
you. Would you be kind enough to-?
Certainly" interrupted the tall man,
taking card from his pocket and wiring
pass three on the back of IL. just
present that at the door,
The other two soldiers now stepped VI
and all thanked the unknown gentleman
for his courtesy. When he had gone they
looked at the card. Ii read,
Russell A. Alger. Secretary of war
And we didn't even salute" exclaimed
the one who had asked for the pass Bu'
they visited the State, War and Navy
| Department.
Another story also related to a sight
seeing soldier from Camp Alger. He
wandered through the White House
grounds for a half hour or more before
turning his steps toward the mansion.
Kin | come in?" he inquired OF the otfi-
Ger who stood near the entrance.
N a officer
Visitors are not received after
o'clock.
But l told my wife Ia surely take in
tn White House, an this IS tn last day
l kin git from camp, persisted the sol
der who was from Indiana
"Our rules are very strict" said the
doorkeeper.
"Ah, but its easier fer you to let me
in than 1T I'D be fer me [ write IL w.
that l hadn't done what she told me
TIL last thing she said next { goodby
was, Now. Jake, don't you fail To take
in tn White House. ! want our children
t hev it { say that their dad hez beer
I IN tn Presidents House. don't wan
/ ter go home after the war en- tell her
! didn't do it,"
| u know how it IS" said the officer,
| which he didn't. for he never had an
Indiana wife; but l can't let you in
| now"
well, then. jes' let me stan up there
| in tn door, jes' a little inside SOS l kin
/ write en- tell 'er I've been in the White
! House 'thout lynn"
] The officer agreed TO that. and the sol
/ dier from Indiana backed himself up in
! the door, stood there for some thirty
! seconds and then stepped out again with
! out even looking inside.
{ I'm 'bliged { you-much 'bliged," he
! said to the door officer as ne wandered OF
| with a look of relief in his eyes.
1t was one of those seven uncomforta.
/ bly, hot afternoons of last week. and
! several OF us were lettering under the
( shade of the juniper tree when Secretary
/ Porter hove in sight down the avenue
1 walking arm in arm with a big, rough
looking trooper in private uniform. To-
! gether they approached within twenty
! PAGES of Jonahs Dreamland and there
the secretary parted company with the
cavalry private.
"Goodby, old man." said the Secretary
| "Goodby. old man." said the trooper
| The two shook hands and separated.
Wonder who he is?" unused our ia;
| correspondent
We were all a bit curious. that is. as GU
rious as newspaper men ever are about
| ordinary things. to know who the pri-
/ vate might be that was sufficiently IA
miliar with the secretary to the Presi-
dent to call him ''oid man and it was
| with a certain degree of satisfaction that
We saw Secretary Porter turn his steps
| toward where we sat.
| That's Private Phelps he said, point.
ing after the disappearing figure of his
big friend.
''Is it?' drawled the lazy correspond
| ent, with an infection that meant fur
! ther and more definite information con.
cerning Private Phelps would not be OBJ
jectionable.
Yes resumed the secretary, 'he is ir
Troop A, Cavalry, at Camp Alger.
| knew him at Yale; in fact he was quite
chum of mine in college. You wouldn't
think to look at him now that he had
ever been one of New Yorks 400 would
you? But he was Funny what a few
weeks in camp will do to man. You
would be surprised to know how many
Yale and Harvard men, millionaires anC
millionaires' sons are IN the private
ranks of Troop a. l know quite a mum
ber of the Yale men and / am going to in.
vite them over to my house for a little
dinner some night
II wonder what you would look like af
ter a few weeks in camp?" suggested the
| fat correspondent
81 don't know" replied the secretary
! smiling as he resumed his way to the
| White House.
GASSENH NHEIMER-LEsSER.