The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-20
1.-THE End.1

seemed to measure himself mentally with
one of the midget chairs, remarking with
Charles. that We were adapted physically
to a midget party?" Being assured by the
children that they should sit in grown-up
chairs. they entered into the spirit of the
thing, and for the next half-hour three
small girls and one sister, just old enough
to have lively appreciation of the situa-
ton, and the two congressman played mid
get with complete absorption.
No Christmas ever went by, while we
were all at the Hamilton together, without
our making a sort of Christmas shrine of
could find for Christmas tree. for
symmetrical trees are hard to find. Ii was
part of the established programme for
the Reeds to come down during the morn
ing, being led with great ceremony into
the alcove which Mr.. Reed was wont 10
term irreverently "Boffins Bower" He
would solemnly lavish an opulence of adj
jectives on each separate gift of each in
dividua child He would usually end by
looking at my father with marked admira-
ton and bewilderment, in which there was
a genuine element also, saying: Charles.
was this Christmas knack of yours born
with you, or achieved, or merely thrust
upon you?'-with sort of rueful recogni-
ton of his own incompetency as Christ
mas decorator.
On one occasion toy magic lantern was
among the presents. and my father prompt
ly gave an exhibition of its charms. A
sheet divided the room into stage and au-
=
were invited. The children were given the
front row and the next row was occupied
by our special friends. Mr. Reed would
applaud vociferously. and, as each picture
vanished, would whisper eagerly to the
small folks in 'front.' What do you 'spose
the next ones going to be-" Finally there
appeared on the sheet large stork. whose
eyes rolled wildly about as if in search of
the naughty child who deserved 10 be de-
voured, this effect being obtained by de-
vice which my father invented on the spur
of the moment. Mr.. Reed clutched his
small daughter imploringly. Don't let him
get me. Kitty, he said TREMENDOUSLY And
then AIDED, in tone intended for the ear
OF the Snowman. Charles. you always were
versatile. Why waste such talents as these
in Congress ?"
These are but a few instances OF the IA
cility of his imagination and the happy
adaptability that made him a royal play.
fellow, on the somewhat rare occasions ir
which he bent his mind TO the entertain.
ment OF children. And in all his inter.
course with young people he never made
self-consciousness was invariably dispellec
by his unaffected geniality and he never
failed 10 win from them a spontaneous re.
Spouse. We who felt most his intellectual
breadth because of our daily association
with him had the least hesitation In pre-.
senting our claims upon his attention IN
behalf of our own immature and unimpor
tant interests He passed Judgment on IN,
first ball gown with the same convincinf
seriousness with which ne would have i'm.
yestigated the qualifications OF an aspiran
for Office.
In his home he dwelt I'm an atmosphere
unusually harmonious. at once solace and
an inspiration. Often there IL some one
element of mans greatness which 1.