Sunday morning globe., 1901-09-22
THE FLUNKIES FEAR
Turned into AmaZement When
the Late President
GRASPED OUR HAND
IN Both Of His When We Called Him Major
Our Reception at The White House and Our
Visit at Tho Request Of The President
The Interview With the Most Charitable and
ForgiVing Of Men.

~
riving in Washington, a friend who
visited the late President Mckinley
informed him Of our presence here and
that we we're space.writing for some
of the local papers.
"'Ten him / should like to see him
very much, and to be sure to call on
me" responded Mr.. Mckinley in that
cordial manner which was his nature.
We did not Immediately take advan-
tage Of the invitation, and in a week
,r two a newspaper friend who hap
pened to be talking to him mentioned
our name and the fact that we made
his office our headquarters, when the
President said:
"I want to see him. I wish you
would tell him so from me-
In response to this second and more
emphatic invitation we brushed up our
frayed coat and wended our way to
the White House. Entering the wait
ing room, we underwent without
tremor the inspection Of the white and
colored fiunkies, and took seat near
a well-fed and well.groomed Congress-
man who was awaiting the Presidents s
entree to the reception room from his
private quarters. The funkies were
ali attention to the Congressman and
to some loud-talking and Over-dressed
ladies young, old and middle-aged,
who were also there to "see the Presi-
dent
Presently, to the number of about
ten or twelve. we were all ushered into
the reception room and itely invited
to take seats until the Presidents APP
pearance We took the last seat next
TO the door the funIies saw to that
and our card was taken gingerly in the
fingers of the gentleman with the mill
tary title whose business it was to in
spect and lay before Mr.. Mckinley the
cards of visitors. Presently the door
opened and in briskly stepped the
President. The ladies and gentlemen
near the door where he entered sprang
to their feet all smiles, but the Presi'
dent evidently did not see them he
hastily gave one sweeping look around
the room. and for the fraction OF a
second his eye rested on us as we
shrank back at the extreme end OF the
line. He got to the center of the room
in a few graceful, gliding steps, and
the military gentleman beckoned the
lady and gentleman on the right Of the
President to approach for the usual
handshake and pleasant greeting The
movement once initiated, the others
followed In their turn without further
instruction. and the military gentle
man sloughed to our end of the line.
Sizing us up again, he approached and
inquired
dDo you know the President
"Aes."
"Oh; you are not acquainted with
him, are you?
yes"
Just then the President was taken
to one side by some important indi-
vidual. who did not wish others TO
hear his conversation. The military
man now had a good chance at us and
he gradually crowded us back and al
most to the door. all the time talking
and cbattering as to where we knew
the President what State we were
from. our ayocation, how long we were
in Washington, etc, to all of which
we had ceased to make replies, and
had made up our mind to bolt through
the doorway when we reached it, as
our indignation had gradually risen
to the exploding point. The President
suddenly wheeled around and, glancing
at the few waiting in the semi-halt
circle. evidently missed us. His eye
finally rested on the chap with the mil
itary title and ourself In less than
five seconds he dismissed the impOr
tant parsonage and reached our posi-
ton The hunkey with the military
title fell back amazed, and the Presi
dent grasped our right hand with both
,F LFr ,e IN ave1ofrnnd
81 am so glad to see you and that
you came"
You are younger than ever Major
beg pardon, Mr. President"
He smiled encouragingly
That's right; call me Major; then
know that you are equally glad to
see me-"
II am not only glad, but proud in
deed. Mr. President
"Ahl how is your dear wife and how
are your children are they well|'
quite we'll, thank you
"I told Hartly and Landon to tell
you 10 come and see me. Why have
YOU delayed / was anxious to know
how you were getting along. What
are YOU doing?'
"Space-writing on the Post and some
outside papers nothing permanent
yet Mr. President"
Well, now, is there anything / can
do for you? 1 want to help you after
your long and cruel sufferings."
You know I am a Democrat now
Mai-Mr. President and / have been
criticising your Administration and
opposing your policy
Tut, tut; TO me you are always the
sweetfaced boy / knew In Ohio when
Won came out of the army
The tears which we had been sup
pressing now dimmed our eyes and
fen from their ducts. We wanted to
retire, and the President surmisine
our purpose, placed his hand on our
shoulder as he said with the tender
ness Of woman.
"l am sorry for the great misfortune
which overlook you. BE a man, as
know you will be- and let me know II
can do anything for you. Remember
me TO your dear wife and come often
to- see me- Tell Shattuc that / want ia
talk 10 him about YOU. Now, good bye