Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

won't you sit DOWN.
Thank you" Mr.. Strong took the chair
offered him and silently awaited the Presi-
dents further pleasure. The latter did not
speak a once, but sat for some moments In
profound thought. When he looked up his
manner was troubled; the black cigar be-
tween his lips seemed not TO afford him
that consolation he usually found in the
Indian weed.
Mr.. Strong" he remarked tentatively.
1T is much easier to direct the movements
Of an army than to solve the financial
problems of peace
To this remark. which seemed put out
at venture, the visitor replied in kind.
Perhaps because there Is no peace In the
world of finance" he said.
The President regarded the speaker stead
lily. less reserved person would have
come to the subject uppermost at once;
but Grant was ever content to approach
his goal with care and elaboration. He
studied the man before him, noticing the
suggestions Of power and reserve in face
and figure which were so largely his own
heritage.
Mr.. Strong" he said at length. at has
been repeatedly represented to me that
the prosperity of the country depends upon
the governments stopping the sale of gold. y
His listener made no answer and Grant
over to the table.
What do you Think" he asked bluntly.
II the President had been slow in reaching
the query the other seemed In no haste to
give him the response he desired.
1.-The prosperity of the country depends
on many things" Richard Strong returned,
circumspectly.
Grant took the cigar from his lips.
"Good!' he said. II like a cautious re-
ply. But tell me more definitely what you
think"
ut is not SO much what think as what
you think"
The Presidents face became grave earn
est.
Many persons on the street are not so
averse to Withholding their confidence he
replied III do but turn a corner, one OF
them runs into me. If l go to Newport
meet them in the sea. Is 1t accident? They
are all of mind; all patrioticl You are
about the only person on the street who has
not sought me. Although Corbin told me
that YOU" He paused a moment. What
you may tell me I shall be very pleased to
consider"
1t was a long speech for Gen. Grant to
make; he whose taciturnity had become
proverbial. At It's conclusion the other
Thank YOU" he said, simply For few
moments they looked into each other .
eyes. Then the ghost of smile crossed
Richard Strong's face
Mr.. President, 1 have always known
what you would do when you had thor
oughly looked into the matter. 1 know
now what you have no intention of doing
when the time to act arrives. You are not
gong to withhold government gold from
the market for the purpose of enabling GER
eniti uISSi uPuiouS mdIipuiatorS u get Gun
troll or and to maintain a corner on the
metal"
over Grants features came trace of
surprise Had he entirely expected this
answer? Certainly it seemed to please him.
Mr.. Strong, / should not have liked to
have had you opposed to me in the Wilder
| ness. You have too shrewd an intuition. y
Intuition said the other. Perhaps.
But know President Grant, and, when 1t
| comes to vital issue, he will investigate
for himself, decide for the right, and fight
II out on that line if 1t takes all summer ="
Again the President pressed the others
hand. II am obliged to you." he said. II
am glad that your views are in consonance
with my own, although" he added thought
fully. II not exactly prepared for 1t.
l got from Corbin some sort of an impress
son to the contrary" Richard Strong 8
Perhaps the presence of some one from
| your office-Mr. Dalton, in Washington
had something to do with it."
Mr.. Grant caught the expression on his
| listeners face and paused. You did not
krow2"
II did not"
1t was with an effort that Richard Strong,
| after a short silence, spoke again.
II knew Mr.-Dalton had been in Wash
| ington. / did not know, however, that he
| had affiliated himself with the gold clique
| I regret you should have drawn any infer
| The Presidents face darkened A moment
he smoked orninousi$ You will hear from
me, Mr.. Strong" he said at length And
| then at the door: Good night. am very
| glad TO have had this interview"
AS Richard Strong stepped again into the
end OF the corridor. watching the door oil
the Presidents room, wheeled abruptly anl
4 walked quickly away.
(To be continued tomorrow