The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1902-07-19
zee me if We ask him. Trot along, now

what am yo' name an whanur 20
want to see de pres'dunt?"
ssThat amt none of your special bust
ness" beloved the skipper. "Bu1
We can run along an tell him--tel
President Andrew Jackson-that Cap'l
Simon Shibles, of Thomaston, Me.
wants to see him an see him right of
for in two hours the tide will be ebb
and time an tide wait for no man."
The big mariner, with his bell
crowned hat and white trousers, who
stood impatiently Tapping the tall
of his blue coat, was an imposing fig
urc. yet the colored man was not con.
vinced that even the rather lax white
house rules of those days would ex
cuse this early intrusion upon the pres.
ident, He hesitated. looking dubious.
~ howard closed door. All at once
from the other side of that door came
a voice:
"Show the gentleman in, Joseph"
1t was the voice of President Andrew
Jackson. He had overheard the colo
guy. Indeed, so had every other per.
SON in the neighborhood. The skipper
was forthwith ushered into the pres
ence of the president.
Andrew jackson was sitting before
the fireplace smoking clay pipe, the
stem of which was as long as his arm,
He wore q figured dressing-gown
wrapped comfortably about his knees.
1t was evident to the visitor that "Old
Hickory" felt at peace with all the
world.
Capt. Simon took of his tall hat
with a flourish, and scraped his foot
back across the nap of the carpet as he
made his best bow.
"Good mornin', President Andrew
jackson of the United States!" he said.
Il hope you find yourself well an
hearty this mornin'. sir. My name is
Simon Shibles, of Thomaston, Me-, mas
ter Of the Ephraim P. Hodges, lime
laden. / vote for We, an SEEM as how
happened to be in the city, thought
I'd pay my respects. I'm round early
so as to catch We before We get settled
down to your days job. 1 don't ever
intend to bother people when they are
busy"
The smile that wrinkled the plain
face of the president was appreciativc.
"Sit down, Capt. Simon Shibles," said
he, poking his pipe-stem at chair.
You say you are from Maine, Ell? From
Thomaston, Me? All, that is Gen.
Knox's old home! Let's see, he called
his mansion Montpelier, didn't he?
Spent lots of money there, eh?''
Then the president proceeded to
make many inquiries regarding the
old mansion and its surroundings. At
last Capt. Simon rose to take his leave
AS he stood brushing his beaver dar-
ing thought struck him. He cooked his
head, screwed one eye humorously
and asked:
"Look here, President Andrew Jack
son, you don't need cargo of lime in
your business, do We? ! don't want
We to think I'm cheeky, but just as
longs business is business intend to
give ev'ry one chance on that lime"
President Jackson commenced to
chuckle. Then he looked at the bluff
mariner, who stood straddled resolute-
ly before him, and laughed aloud. The
old wound in his side troubled him q
bit, and as he laughed he felt q twinge.
He pressed his hands against the weak
spot, leaned over and chuckled some
more, clutching the long-stemmed pipe
to his breast.
sWal, ye see, didn't know but ye
might have some use for it," Capt. ST.
mon added, apologetically. aye could
use it to plaster tother party. We know.
or else it would be good to use when We
bury 'em next election"
The president wiped his eyes on the
sleeve of his dressing gown and laid
down his pipe. He surveyed Capt.
Simon with most appreciative regard.
He pondered bit and then said:
"It wouldn't surprise me If they need
ed little lime at the navy yard about
this time. Well see about it, anyway,
Capt Simon"
Hooking his feet along on the car
pet, he dragged his chair to desk and
scrawled a note.
Island that to the commandment"
said the president. "Good day to you,
sir, and safe voyage to your home.
Capt. Simon bowed his way from the
presence. His face wore a decofous
expression, but he was sitting
mighty impulse to shout "Hooray for
President Andrew Jacksoni"
When he read the postscript to the
note as he walked down the avenue,
the impulse was stronger, for the note
suggested at the end. "and pay good
price" Suddenly he stopped short,
brought his palm to his forehead with
q great smack and growled:
''Wal, van! never can think of
manners when want to. But amt
goin' to have Andrew Jackson think
don't know 'em."
He trudged back to the white house
and seized the arm of the first serv.
ant he saw.
"You trot along an tell President
Andrew Jackson" commanded he,
"thatin case he ever comes Thomaston
way shall take it wrong If he doesn't
put up with me. Tell him Cap'n Simon
Shibles says so-he knows me-"
Then he FASTENED to his schooner.
Just as the Hodges was drifting into
the stream that forenoon one Of the 3
neighbor shippers hooked his arms
over the rail and shouted: