The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-03-13
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|
that, in every line, told the story of
anxiety and WEAKNESS. The droop-
ing eyelids, looking almost swollen;
the dark bags beneath the eyes; the
deep marks about the large and ex-
pressive mouth; the flaccid muscles
of the jaws, were all so majestically
pitiful that l could almost have fallen
on my knees and begged pardon for
my part in the cruel presumption and
impudence that had thus invaded his
repose. AS we were severally intro
duced, the President shook hands
with us, and then took his seat on a
haircloth-covered sofa beside the
major; while we others sat on chairs
in front of him. Colonel Van Buren,,
in fitting words, conveyed the mes
sage from Governor Seymour, asking
the President in Governor Seymour's
paper statements as to the Governors
unfriendliness, and assured the Presi-
dent of the Governors fixed inten-
! ton to fulfill any constitutional call
upon him for funds to support the
Government. The President replied
to the rumors referred to, and that
he needed no formal assurances that
| the Governor would do all in his
power to aid him.
The merely formal talk being over,
something was said about the critical
condition of military matters, and the
| President observed that he had no
fears about the safety of Washington,
and was certain that the attempted
invasion of the Northern States
would be arrested. He said the lat
est intelligence from the Army OF
the Potomac was favorable, but gave
no details, and it was not until the
next day that we learned that General
Meade had succeeded General Hooker.
A little pause in the conversation
ensued. The guant figure of the
President had gradually slid lower
on the slippery sofa, and his long
legs were stretched out in front,
the loose slippers half fallen from his
feet, while the drowsy eyelids had
almost closed over his eyes, and his
jaded features had taken on the sug-
gestion of relaxation in sleep. l re-
peat that | never think of this noble
mans personality without recalling
him at that moment of supreme dan
| ger to the Republic and without see
ing again that sad, worn countenance
| f,f ur1,a hnr will
age and patience his heavy burdens.
Deeply moved by the Presidents
evident fatigue, and by his cordial
treatment of us in spite of our pre-
sumptuous call, Colonel Van Buren
and | were about rising to make our
adieuX when, to our dismay, the
major slapped the President on his
knee and said:
"Mr. President, tell us one of your
good stories"
If the floor had opened and dropped
me out of sight l should have been
happy.
The President drew himself up,
and turning his back as far as pos
sible upon the major, with great dig
nifty addressed the rest of us, saying:
II believe have the popular reputa-
tion of being storyteller, but do
not deserve the name in its general
sense, for it is not the story itself,
but its purpose, or effect, that in
I terests me. l often avoid long and
useless discussion by others or
| 10 nj ,@
by a short story that illustrates my
point of view. So, too, the sharp
ness of refusal or the edge of a
rebuke may be blunted by an appro-
pirate story, so as to save wounded
feeling and yet serve the purpose.
No, am not simply a storyteller, but
storytelling as an emollient saves me
much friction and. distress" These
are almost his exact words, of which
l made record that very night.
When the President finished, we
arose and made our salutations and
withdrew, our last view of our great
leader being of a countenance
gracious, but inexpressibly sad.
have told this adventure to many
friends, some of whom have asked
why l did not publish it. For many
years l was 10th to make a public
statement of even unconsenting pres
ence at such treatment of one whom
the Nation recognizes as ranking as
high as Washington in our political
history and venerates as a martyr.
But have been persuaded that this
explanation by our beloved President
of the great solace he derived from
his storytelling should now be gener-
ally known.