The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-12-12
ROUGH RIDER RIDDEN OVER
President Roosevelt Declines to Accommodate One of His
 Old Regiments
NO FREEDOM FOR THIEF
Old Pal Admits That the Col nels Illusions Were
 Greek to Him.
(New York Worldly

(New York World.)
 Any person boasting the friendship of pr. Walter Stevens of Paris, Tex, would do well to refrain from asking that fearless ex-Rough Rider about a visit he paid to the White House to- day.
 A year or so ago clerk in the post office at Paris was caught extracting fifty cents from an envelope and for some months now he has been in the government penitentiary at Atlanta. Hearing of several unsuccessful efforts to get a pardon for the young man Stevens decided to see what he could do. So he came to Washington and confded his intentions to Texas member who has not worn out much shoe leather in going to and from the Presidential presence.
 Its 100 to you are turned down." said the member.
 Nevertheless Stevens persuaded the congressman to accompany him to the Executive Mansion.
 MT. President" said the congress- man upon getting past Loeb, this is former companion of yours in arms My esteemed fellow citizen, sir, Dr. Stevens, of Paris, Tex.
 "Stevensl Stevens!" the President fairly shrieked. Why, Stevens, I am delighted, by golly, to see you"
 Do you remember the time we last met?" asked Stevens.
 Indeed I do,7 was the quick reply. It was at Las Guasimas Stevens, whatever became of that plucSy fell low, Davis, who was shot through the body ten times and came into camp unassisted?"
 Stevens assured the President that his much punctured friend had set tied down and was engaged in raising a large family.
 Then the two former warriors fell to talking of old times in earnest and Stevens pictured his young friend back in Paris starting life anew and profoundly thankful for the fightir of the battle of Las Guasimas. But in a few minutes fond recollections had to take back seat for a delegation of Westerners who had called to see the President by appointment, in a sight seeing automobile. He had shaken the hands of tfiree when another conn rade's face Tilted through his mind.
 Just minute, please" Mir Roose- welt said to the fourth man in line and wheeling half around, called out:
 By the way; Stevens have you ever heard whatbecane of that fellow who stil wanted to shoot though he was so badly wounded that he could not hold up his head when lie was being carried off the field on a iitter?"
 Stevens thought he had heard that this particular hero had become a Texas Ranger or something else equal ly as strenuous, and the President seemed overjoyed.5
 You win in walk" whispered the congressman. The doctors face beam ed. fssB
 When theilast of the Westerners had departed the President returned to the Texans and renewed his talk of war and warriors.
 MT. President" Stevens ventured to say. 'I have a young friend now serving a term in the penitentiary at Atlanta for stealing four bits from an envelope while employed as clerk in the postoffice in my city, and have hera n netition"-
 "Petitlonl Petitionl" exclaimed the President
 "Yes, petition, and"-
 Why my dear Stevens, can get tip a petition to have you made Presi- dent and have me hanged
 Possibly so," answered the Texan but this is that poor fellows first of fense, and"--
 First offense, Ridiculous, my dear fellow Why, by golly, he has been stealing two years to my certain knowledge"
 ; Well, Mir President l don't know what you know, but that toy $ dying with tuberculosis, and''-
 "Tuberculcsis," hissed the Presiden- tial voice. Why, don't you know that every man who is serving time for robblng the government is suffering from tuberculosis ?"
 "No, I did not" answered Stevens
 "Why, congressman, you remember the case of the fellow Foster in Yer mont, don't you?"
 q think I do," replied the congress- man.
 That was while I was laboringK Kun- der all the innocence of my first term, my dear, Stevens. A petition was brought to me reciting most distress ing tale of the last stages of eonsump- tion and tuberculosis and all that sort of thing, and pledge you my word that I could hear my tears drop on velvet carpets as joyfully signed the pardon. What happened2 Why, that man is bigger and stronger than any ono of us this very day
 But, Mr President l know what this fellows condition is and if you will sign your name to-
 "Sign my name? Why, my signature has the same effect on mans health that the kings name has on the foot evil. Good day, gentlemen" The Texans strolled silently down the asphalt walk to the avenue.
 "To think" said Stevens, as they boarded car, that I didn't remem- Der 8 single incident he got So gay about."--New York World.