New-York tribune., 1903-07-19
WHERE THE PRESIDENT RIDES.
His FaUorite Places in Washington Suburbs
His Mounts
TFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU. !


Washington, July 1S.-Nothing pIeases Presi
dent Roosevelt more in his horseback rambles
throughout Washington suburbs than to pick
out bride paths through the woods over which
he has not travelled before. On such occasions
he shows very clearly his love for the open and
his thorough education a wOodsman. Rugged
sidehll cattle trails that would turn back any
ordinary rider from the city are special lures
to the President Lying prone with his head
below the level Of his animals shoulder, he Will
dart under trees, and frequently reach forward
and push Obstructing bOughs out of the way
If the trail leads up to fence his horse. under
the stimulus of the spur readily leaps it. Popu-
lar illustrations picture the President in the act
of clearing high fences. These are not exag-
gerations, as country people in the environs of
Washington will testify.
The Presidents fearlessness in riding about
the woods and fields of Maryland and Virginia
in the general neghborhoOd of the national cap
ital has him many warm friends amons
the farm folk. In fact, some OF the most adula-
tory things to be heard in communities in
these States which are otherwise invincible
Democratic strongholds. There is a boyish en-
thusiasm and simplicity about the President in
his horseback outings which greatly relished
by the ''neighbors' he salutes.
The Washingtonian who makes Sunday pill
grimages on horseback or on foot around the
city, if he engages farmers in conversation
about Mr.. Roosevelt, will find many who
cherish the memory Of the Presidents visit TO
their gates. They will tell of how he rode up
flushed with the health giving exercise of rapid
riding; how he lifted his hat announced his
title and asked for glass of water for direc-
tions to some highway The farmers who have
had these delightful experiences live for the
most part in the almost inaccessible wild coun-
unanimous in saying that the President always
announces his title Immediately. Inquiry at the
White House confirms this account. and it is
understood that the Presidents purpose in SO
doing is the natural one OF securing proper con-
sderation for the high office which he fills
rather than to awaken any special tribute to
himself He has been very much impressed
such occasions with the unaffected homage OF
the farm people. He meets them without any
ceremony whatever, and they their part, in
handing him glass OF water or in going dis
tance to pilot him through the woods to some
well known highway whence he return 10
the White House, show by their behavior, much
to his delight, that they have vast respect for
the office of President, but not afraid to
talk to Mr.. Roosevelt one man to another.
Some of the Presidents literary friends have
suggested that he might secure a lot of valuable
material in the study of human nature in going
about incognito like HarOun al Raschid in the
Arabian Nights Entertainment" The Presi-
dent realizes this but feels that he owes IT TO
the good people OF the country to announce at
once that the President is at their gates.
on the recent Western tour during stage trips
the President took delight in getting ~ tR
front seat with the driver and talking to him
about his horses and his experiences In stage
drive in the Yellowstone Park the story is told
Enntiuued