Arizona republican., 1899-05-08
HE KNEW A
 THING OR TWO

aiung hlS knOW4SdSe CT AmerlCan his tory. The lads father didn't say much
 at first. He likes to have his boy know whole lot of things; but the cid gentleman had . thing or liFo up his sleeve, and after the lad had talked knl-lwingly and grandsloquently of English, Spanish ard Fren1h settle ments fer awhile he concluded to take a .3utle hand himself.
 'sYou've been instructed 9 good deal about George Washington, haven you, John?'' the father asked the boy.
 ''Try me-" replied the lad, with a superior smile.
 Well, here's little one,'' said the father. Was George Washington a private citizen on the day of his death?''
 ''of course he was,'' answered the lad promptly.
 | "Oh, I guess not" said the father, amiably. He was lieutenant genera and commander of the United States army on the day of his death"
 The lad looked increduIous.
 Just look initc' it and you'll find out, went on his father "Washing- l ten left the executive chair at Phila- deIphia on March f, 1797. He retired to the peaceful shades of his Virginia home,' which he enjoyed for just a year, when he was again called into the service of his country, in ar,cicipa- tion Of war with France, and cn July 3, 179S, he was commissioned IieJIten- ant general and commander Of the United States army. He held this commission to the day Of his death, December fl. 1799.
 The lads eyes were pretty wide open with wonder by this time.
 Why, I say, pop, how do ycQ re- member ali that? I don't believe I ever heard that before''
 ''Oh, I know a few little ones like that" responded his father. Now, here's another trifing one. which is rather interesting, however, iii view of MT. Reeds retirement ss speaker Of the hcuse. Of the three d3zen and odd gentlemen who have filed the chair of speaker of the house of representa- tives, how mJny Of 'em ever became president of the United States?'
 The lad reluctantly confessed, after some thinking, that he'd have to pass that enc up.
 
 ably ask your teacher without getting an immediate reply" said his father There was only One-James K. Polk Of Tennessee. Several of the speakers got the nomination for president at the hands Of their respective parties- some of them giants. t,-i0. in political sensa-but they were al defeated, ro the intense astonishmeat of their friends. Polk was the only one thai got through, and he wasn't so much of a political gianlt. Mr. PeH of Tennes- see3 MT Clay of Kenucky and MT. Blaine of Maine were the other three who were nominated. Mir. Bell was elected speaker of the house over Mr Polk, who was elected speaker by the congress succeeding. So you can jus- take 8 pencil and pad and figure out what chance Mir. Reed has of ever be- coming president Gf he wants the job. using the history Of his predecessors attempas for the chief magistracy as your guide
 Why, I say, pop, that's mighty clever of you," exclaimed the hign i school boy. T didn't think you re- mem
 'Oh, I used to dig pretty hard for facts when I was your age. son" re- piled his father. Just picked up a | few little ones like that, you know. | And I've followed the thing pretty | right along ever since, too. | Here's @ simple one for you: Name me the only man in our history who 1 ever held three cabinet positions
 The boy. after considerable fumbling around, was compelled to give up on this, too.
 MT. Gresham" said his father. file was postmaster general and secretary r of the treasury under President Arthu- and secretary of state under President 
 The lads respect for his father was Tisibly increasing.
 T hadn't any idea, pop, that yoli-'' ''Of course, ycu hadn't" interrupted ais father. But. as go along, I just buckle on to whatever little facts come my way. Now, how many West Pointers ever got to be president of he United States?''
 well, General Grant was one," said lhe boy.
 How many cthers?" 1 The lad fumbIed that one, tco, until lis father interrupted him with: You needn't figure on that any long , r. General Grant was the only West ( Pointer who evsr reached the presi- { Iential chair. Jeff Davis, also a West $ 'oirter, as you of course know, got to ( he chief magistracy Of the confedt.. I .cy.' T would have been thinking for all i our over that enc, and ( Probably" said his father d.iiy. | What president attained the ripest a ge of i5he lct?"
 The hoy fell down on this without l truggle. f John Adams-hc died at the age of t 1. James Madison and Thomas .,cf- r erson were next in point of age, Nadi $ on living to S5 and Jefferson to $. \ Whats bean the average lifetime of d residents after leaving the presiden- iaI chair?"