The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-03

and looking at the old man with the
most engaging air, said seriously:
Don't you know, that's just what I
came up here after"
The way he said 1t made It one of the
most exquisitely humorous things he ever
got off.
On a recent trip to a southern city, the
meeting at which he was to speak was
opened with a prayer. The preacher who
offered the prayer prayed, among other
things, that this administration may last
long," The prayer was unusually long,
and afterward some one said to the Pres
ident:
THAT democratic preacher prayed an
awfully long time"
WELL" he laughed, The prayed that
this administration might be long one,
and such a prayer is as far as even
southern hospitality should co.
The President has In every part of the
country friends he can banter good ma
turedly because he knows they do not OBJ
ject to 1t, and everybody else likes to
hear 1t. One of these chosen men Is Major
Hemphifl, editor of the Charleston News
and Courier, in South Carolina. He and
the President never get together without
the deacon" as Mr.. Taft calls him. re-
When the President was given the big
banquet by the business men of Charles
, ton the night before he sailed for Pan
anna last January, the deacon" intro
duced him, and wound up with a high
strung tribute in which he described the
guest of honor as man who has risen
from the position of reporter on a news
paper to the presidency fthe United
States"
n,otk he f,1 trSf pf
applause, and, looking at Hemphill with
eyes that twinkled. said:
Deacon Hemphill Is right I think In
saying I did a great thing In rising from
a newspaper reporter to the presidency.
Any newspaper man who can do that
must be wonder
The way 1t was said, thoroughly good
naturally, brought roar of laughter,
| and the deacon threw up both hands in
gesture expressing defeat
White House Feasts of Reason.
| On one occasion, Of Wayne MacVeach,
| a brother Of the present Secretary of the
Treasury, Franklin MacVeagh, Mr.. Taft
said:
"TIe Is, think the wittiest man I ever
| knew. love to be at dinner with him
! I love It,"
| That remark illustrates the Presidents
love Of bright company. He is never hap
pier than when he is with people whose
! wit is sparkling and whose humor is I'M
| failing. Mrs. Taft is like him in this
| and the dinners at the White House
| with their closest friends are in reality a
| feast Of reason, the reason that is en-
| HANGED and frightened by 'quips and
| laughing sailies.
! Just as Lincoln did, Taft uses his ire
mendous fund of anecdotes and stories
| to illustrate his arguments His mind is
| eminent1y logical and reasoning power
] It was trained to deep study by his years
| of service on the bench and by his heavy
responsibilities as governor OF the Philip
| pine Islands But his sense Of humor is
the trusty handmaiden of his more Sc
| rfous nature. He will be discussing q
matter Of the deepest import. when, with
out warning. his face will tighten with q
smile, and he will say: "That reminds
mo-" ETC., and tell a laughable story 10
] bring out the line Of his argument Then
80 suddenly that 1t will be startling, his
/! face will resume its expression of palms.
| taking thought and study.
| There are people who are witty and We,
not good natured. and there are some
who can frequently raise a laugh with
! out being at heart wholesomely humor.
| Gus. In neither category can the Presl-
dent be listed. Stone the efficient and
! courtly gentleman who receives every
I, visitor at the White House and instructi
| them as to the order Of their coming
into and going out of the President's
| offices. sees more of Mr. Taft in day
than does anybody else save members
! of his family. and ne says:
'"rhe Presidents the best-natured mar
| / ever saw
which soss far toward proving thas