The Washington herald., 1909-01-14

Of the President. and he roamed around
and looked and laughed and loved the
scenery and talked to few passers-by
The party arrived az Warrenton shortly
after II O'Clock, and spent an hour there,
taking their lunch al the Warren Green
Hotel, a place the President has often
expressed a desire TO visit. He knows
the games Of strenuous detail far too
well TO allow his muscles to get stiff, and
again the President kept himself on the
move until the bell announced the meal
was ready
WarentOn Schools Close.
The news that the President was in
town soon spread over Warrenton. and
the schools were closed promptly. so as
10 give the children a holiday in honor
Of the event. People came from every
where. many OF them riding.
WarrentOn is famed as q residence or
sojourning place OF many lovers Of
horses II has a hunt club and an annual
colt show, and its manner OF life ap-
pToaches nearer to the South Of ante
bellum days than most places south OF
the Potomac. It is the center OF business
and amusement. of a fine grazing and
farming country, where many young Eng
iishment Of the gentry have settled down
20 do some farming and good deal Of
hunting and shooting.
From all over Fauquisr County came
those curious 70 see the man from the
White House OF whom they had heard 50
much. The Warrentonites rang I'D their
friends on the telephone 10 let them know
what was going on. Virginians. English
men, IriShmen and ScOIChmen hurried 20
the Warren Green Hotel. and with them
scores Of pretty girls for which the town
and the county are noted throughout the
Old Dominion.
There were a least loo people in the
near vicinity Of the inn when the Presi-
dent and his friends had finished their
meal Of soup. roast beef. and other good
things that have helped in establishing
the reputation Of Virginians for good Iiv-
ing
Speaks tc TOwnspeOpIe.
To show that he can do other things
than ride horses and look well in a sad
die. the President made heart-to-heart
talk 20 the townspeople Of Warrenton
from the hotel veranda while he was
waiting for the call 0f the dinner bell. Il
was straight speech on the progress OF
the country people OF 5he nation, and nor
one reference was made 10 anything
savoring Of politics. He told Of mis- ride.
but not its purposes. and the people OF
Warrenton are yet 20 learn that all that
strenuous work was done Just 70 Offset
the criticisms OF the army and navy
tests. instituted ny the President last
summer.
Tho Chief E-x-oor-{--a os ;- or---,--- +s,,
case. showed especial attention 10 the
children who had gathered to hear him.
and several Of the little Warrenton boys
and girls viii awake this morning happy
over that handshake or cordial greeting
they received when he had finished his in
formal talk.
Trip in the Dark.
While the ride 70 Warrenton was filled
with many interesting details. the real
features q the day came during the last
thirty miles The roughest part Of the
road was reached Just as dark approached,
and the horsemen had 10 exercise great
care lest they stumble over high places
or let their steeds step in mud holes OF
little guIleys-
The President took the lead, and that
was Just what he had been waiting for:
Just what suited him most of the whole
list Of exciting things. He galloped up
and down hill, and at many points had TO
rein his faithful horse 20 let his followers
catch uD with him. Several times it was
necessary 10 ride with extreme caution.
as none Of the party could see but a few
feet ahead Of them. but not once was
there an intimatiOn Of an accident.
Everything Covered with Ice.
At CenterviIIe, twenty-seven miles from
Washington. the freezing rain was falling
steadily. and the trees, fences. roads. and
even the saddles and riders were coverd
with ice By the time the party reached
Fairfax Court House, daylight had gone.
and within a few minutes the night be-
came absolutely black It was impossible
to see a horse and rider more than ten
feet ahead and this made IL necessary
to proceed with great caution. Not only
was the landscape covered with ice. but
the roads throughout the whole journey
were extremely rough. they had become
deeply rutted after the recent rains. and
then had frozen hard
The party left Fairfax Court House al
$40 clock. and although the journey as
a whole was made at the average rate Of
seven miles an hour. the trip from Fair
fax to Washington was at a much lower
rate Of speed Capt Butt took the pre-
caution, because OF the icy condition OF
tac roads. to telephone to Washington
before leaving Fairfax directing that the
Presidents carriage meet him at the
Georgetown end OF the Aqueduct Bridge.
so that he need not incur the danger Of
a fall on the sleet covered asphalt. When
the party arrived at Georgetown, how
ever. the President declined TO dismount
anc stuck to his mount until he reached
the very porch Of the White House.
From Fairfax the party walked their
horses through inky darkness for about
eight miles. Then the reflected light from
tle city, eight miles away. made the go
ing better. and the Presidential party rode
me rest OF the journey at brisk galIop.
Wise in Selecting Roswell.
The selection of Roswell to ride on the
last relay on the home trip. was wise
one on the part Of the President. Well
does he know that on a sure-footed steed
Is the only safe way 20 travel such coun-
Sry roads as were encountered, and he |
has the utmost faith in Roswell. He is
one Of the best jumpers in Washington. /
certainly the best in the White House |
stables, and recently the President has
been made 10 think more OF him because
OF MS jumping ability, shown on several
quiet riding trips through Rock Creek
Park II is said Roswell has done some
exceptionally clever work over the i,In7D- i
ers on that favOrite riding ground of the /
President and recently took a rail at FIVE 1
feet seven.
So, it was with perfect safety that the
President felt he was fairly ''eating I'D" /
miles in the dark and sleet last night. and
other members OF the party had lust
a-o.---E g. s-l...., 4. .-.-E-. - - -