Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-03
GLOOM At OYSTER BAY
Denizens Lament the AvoWed
Intention of President
TO SPEND JULY 4 QUIETLY
Great Celebration Plans Gone A'Glim.
mering.
RUDE SHOCK TO WORSHIPERS
Villagers in Despair Over Latest
Moods Of MI Roosevelt-Sticks
Close to Sycamore Hill.
TO SPEND JULY 4 QUIETLY
RUDE SHOCK TO woRsH1PERs
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
OYSTER BAY. N. Y, July 3.-Whaa
President Roosevelt decided to spend q
quiet vacation this year he evidently did
not stop to consider what effect his action
would have upon his hero-worshiping
neighbors. At first they paid little atten-
ton to the avowal, thinking that it was
merely scheme to keep unwelcome WIS.,
itors away. They did not imagine that II
would go so far as to curtal the only pleas
ure that makes life worth living In this
little out-of-the-way hamlet-the meeting
with the President Of the United States and
being able to mingle with him on terms of
familiarity. That was a boon which took
the sting out of having to exist in Oyster
Bay all the rest of the year.
1t was the one oasis In the desert of life
to see him gallop grandly into town to
witness his friendly, denticulated smile; to
hear him utter his sonorous sentences on
the glorious Fourth. with one hand resting
on the misunderstanding cannon that points
its wicked mouth straight at Pop Weeks
Octagon Hotel, and the other stretched
forth to the infinite blue. to cater to the
wants Of scores Of admiring pilgrims to the
shrine of greatness.
All this was compensation Indeed but
to have the pleasant dream rudely shattered
has come with disintegrated shock. When
the President or any member of his family
did not ride like a whirlwind through the
dusty streets the villagers bore their dis
appointment bravely. When few visitors
arrived. and those merely cabinet members,
fortunate individuals, armed with invita-
tons to lunch at Sycamore Hill. there was
universal sigh and wagging of heads,
but no actual outbreak of resentment ex-
cept few growls from the dozen or so
patient hackmen who CLEAN much of their
livelihood from curious visitors.
Universal Dismay.
All this could have been born, but when
Theodore Roosevelt, President Of the United
States and the pride Of Oyster Bay, openly
asserted that he would take no part what
ever In the villagers celebration of the
Fourth dismay was universal Prepare
tons had been made for an old-time cele-
oration. The cannon had been FURNISHED
unit. 1t shone, the stores had put in a big
supply Of fireworks. the owners of the few
hotels and boarding houses had fixed up
every available spare room. a base ball
game had been arranged and the whole
town wore an air of expectation.
The corporation fathers even bought a
new oil sprinkler and oiled the dusty
streets of the village in hopes of attracting
automobiles.
Then came the announcement that the
president would remain quietly at home
ana not go near the village. It was hard
70 believe the news at first and Secretary
Loeb was appealed to-. He confirmed their
worst fears, however. and despair seized
upon the vitals of the community. All hope
OF celebration has been abandoned, and
unless Mr. Roosevelt changes his mind this
viii be the .quietest Fourth Of July that
Oyster Bay has experienced since 1t becams
the summer capital.
Excepting to go to church on Sunday, the
President has not made his appearance in
the village since his arrival: He exercises
as strenuously as of yore about his home,
but he has almost given up horseback rid
Ing. He has been swimming several times
and he chops wood and plays lawn tennis
with his wonted vigor, but he is resting
quietly for all that. He will probably not
leave Sycamore Hill until September, when
he starts on his western trip. Those who
have seen him declare that he is the very
picture Of health and that he Is getting as
brown as the proverbial berry.