Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1902-07-10

stood impatiently Tapping the tails
of his blue coat, was an imposing fig-
ure, vet the colored man was not con-
WINGED 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
Nv toward closed door. All at once
from the other side of that door came
a voice:
"show the gentleman in, Joseph.
It 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 a figured dressing-gown
wrapped comfortably about his knees.
It was evident to the visitor that "Old
Hickory felt at peace with all the
world.
Capt. Simon took off his tall hat
with 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.
II hope you find yourself well an
hearty this mornin', sir. My name is
Simon Shibles, of Thomaston, Me-, mas
ter of the Ephraim f. Hodges, lime
laden. I voted 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. 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 cockedhis
head, screwed one eye humorously
and asked:
"Look here, President Andrew Jack
son, you don't need a cargo Of lime in
your business, do ye? / 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
bit, and as he laughed he felt twinge.
He pressed his hands against the weak
spot, leaned over and chuckled some
more, clutching the long-stemmed pipe
to his breast.
''Wal, We see, didn't know but We
might have some. use for il" Capt. ST.
mon added, apologetically. ''Ye could
use it to plaster tother party, ye know,
or else it would be good to use when ye.
bury 'em next election"
IN The president wiped his eyes on the
sleeve Of, his dressing. gown and laid
down hiss pipe. He surveyed Capt.
Simon with most appreciative regard.
He pondered.a 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" IS. u"
Hooking his feet along on the. car
pet, he dragged his chair to desksand
scrawled a note. y
'Hand that to the commandants"
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 decorous
expression, but he was sitting a
mighty impulse to shout "Hooray for
President Andrew Jackson!"
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 ne stopped short,
brought his palm to his forehead with
a great smack and growled:
oval, van! I never can think of
manners when I want to. But amt
goin' to have Andrew Jackson think
I 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
neighbor shippers hooked his arms
| over the rail and shouted:
| "Ain't We maxim a short stop, Cap'n