The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-25
Train Passes Little Rock, Ak. Shortly After g O'Clock
 Sunday Night
'POSSUM DISAPPEARS AND
 TAXES SWEET POTATOES
But Through Some Psychological Phe, nomenon Another One, Ready Dressed, Makes Appearance and
 Taft Enjoys Anticipated Feast.

Dressed, Makes Appearance and
 Taft Enjoys Anticipated Feast.
 Little Rock, Ark, October 24-President Taft left Texas this afternoon, after spending nine days in that state. and is speeding tonight toward St. Louis, where he will arrive at 9:S0 a. m tomorrow. With formal breakfast, a speech in the vast St. Louis auditorium, a luncheon and the dedication of a government build ing in East St. Louis before him. the President will have every moment of his time occupied up to o'clock tomorrow afternoon, when, on the steamer Olean- der. he will lead a procession of boats containing governors. senators. repre- sentatives and delegates down the Mis- sissippi river to New Orleans to attend the convention of the Lakes to- the--Gulf Deep Waterways association
 The river trip will mark one of the final stages of Mir Tafts record breaking travels. When he reaches St. Louis to- morrow morning he will have covered 9706 of the 1900 miles in his itinerary. The river journey will consume 1165 more. and when the President leaves New Or leans early on the morning of November he will be within easy striking distance of home. being scheduled to arrive in Washington the night of November 10. In reality, however, the Presidents trav- els Tor 1909 will not end until November 20 for he has engagements at sAIiddle- town O., November 12 at New Haven November l9, and at Hampton. Va. No- Vember 20.
 Voice
 Mir. Tafts voice this
 shown no improvement over aay. and after he had made a few short ad- dresses in Texas and Arkansas was all most completely exhausted.
 There is little hope for permanent im-. provement, however, short of three or four days
 The Presidents train developed full- fiedged mystery today. Railroad detec- uves, special police and secret service men to the contrary notwithstanding somebody stole the P'essdeat's possufn. ! II happened at DsaJias where t scented as though there were af leaet l Inisiian policemen, special officers and plain clothes men, deputy sherffs and nli4. tiamen on guard and the authorities this morning were inclined to charge it up as another Black Hand outrage
 A fat, sleek. sly locking possum was put aboard the train yesterday at Hemp stead, Tex. He occupied one-half of an orange crate while on the other side was mess of sweet potatoes intended to be served as a coneomitant of the feast. With memories of the 'possu,n dinner in Atlanta last winter still fresh in mind the President suggested this morning that the Hampstead gift should have the place of honor among the viandx for dinner on the "Mayhower'' this even ing.
 'Possum Had Disappeared.
 Then came the astonishing news fhat the 'possum had disappeared The man in charge of the baggage car had set the crate on the platform last night at Dallas, and despite the fact that the train was surrounded by blueeoats throughout the period of darkness the morning lights revealed the fact that the bird had flown, taking the sweet pota- toes with him,
 Through some psychological phenome- non. the Presidents desires and the woe ful loss travelled ahead of the train, and with the arrival at Long View at noon today possum, all dressed for cooking. vas put aboard. Consequently the 'sas- sum dinner on the ffaylower was not postponed.
 President Leaves Dallas.
 The President left Dallas tt X o.elosk this morningg, and curing the day stop ped at Forney, Terrell. Wlllspoint, Long view and Marshall before crossing Che Texas line at TeXarSana, where the train was halted partly in T~Nls ana parlly in Arkansas. A delegation ef Go citizens of Arkansas, headed hy Governor Donaghee. Gen. Powell Clayton, United States Sen ator Clarke and others met the President a IpNarl<npu ar ha1 bait attached to his train. There was an ini- mense crowd at Texarhana. but the Pres idents voice had far gone from his earlier attempts to speak that he could only say word or two in appreciation of his welcome.
 The Presidents train arrived in Little Rock shortly after o'clock and left 10 minutes later. His voice had somewhat improved and he spoke briefly here Col. Cecil Lyon left the party at Tex arkana.
 The President also spoke few words to the throngs at Philadelphia and Ben- ton, Arkansas.
 Talk to Children.
 At Terrell, Tex, this morning the Pres ident spoke to a throng of eager-faced little Sunday school children and delivered a near-approach to his usual Sunday sermon. T think it must have been | month ago when l was passing through Chicago that l received a telegram ask ing me to stop at Terrell he said
 T continued to receive telegrams from that time until l reached the Pacific coast. l replied that l was going to stop at Terrell if it cost leg. I am very glad to see the children here this Sun day morning. l am glad to see them with their flags.
 You know what the flags are, my chill dren?"
 Yes, sir!" replied 6 score of voices. 'The flag of the United States"
 Do you know the flag of Texas?n asked the President.
 Yes, sir"
 What is it?''
 The Lone Star
 Are you loyal to both fags9"
 Yes. sir.'
 q bet you are Now. my children. da you know who l am?
 eli.