The Washington herald., 1909-10-10
TAFT'S REST ENDS
IN YOSEMITE PARK
Continued from Page one.

led by cavalrymen IN the rear Of the
party
The President, while sympathizlng with
| them. mopped his brow and laughed
heartily as the two Californians were
helped into their saddles. The trail at
times took him along the brink OF preci-
pices where a slip or a fall would have
been fatal
The President stopped for only two
brief rests on the walk down. and his
face was streaming with perspiration
when he finally landed on the floor Of tho
valley. stage was waiting for him and
carried him 20 one OF the Sentinel Hotel
cottages. The President had expected TO
| find his baggage at the hotel, hut II had
not arrived. His clothes were soaking
wet with perspiration. and so. like the
boy who had only one shirt, the Presi-
dent undressed and went TO bed.
He was In bed more than an hour while
his clothing was being dried IN the
kitchen Of the hotel. The President
probably would have had to take his
luncheon in bed If the stage with the
baggage had not arrived Just in time.
The President took the going-to-bed incl
dent as a good joke. He knew that II
was hopeless TO call upon any OF the
members of his party to help him out in
his plight
Arose Early in Morning.
The President was up this morning in
time TO soc the sun rise-that IS, he APP
peared on the veranda OF the Glacier
Point Hotel in slippers and pajamas and
watched the eastern light gradually break
over the snow-capped Sierras and chase
the shadows from the valley, 300 feet
beow him. The Presidents room at tho
little hotel looked out across the valley
to the giant Half Dome on the opposite
wall. and he had requested that ne be
awakened as the sun came up. After
ward. however, the President returned to
his room for another hours nap.
Mai. w. w. Forsythe. superintendent
of the park, had planned TO take the
President down the four-mile trail on
muleback. He had two mules, either OF
which he allowed would carry the Presi-
dent safely. The President, however. de-
clined, and. taking strong mountain
climbers staff. started the descent. Be-
fore leaving Glacier Point, though. he
had one more view OF the valley from
the famous overhanging rock. When the
President started on his downward trlp
ne Was it1VV Leet ABOVE sea level, and
some Of his friends were fearful that he
would find the walking too strenuous. but
the altitude did not cause him any dis
comfort
Muir explained to the President when
he started that the Glacier Point trail
was originally worn by a thirsty man who
lived on the top Of the cliff. His wife
wouldn't allow him TO keep any whisky in
the house. and to get it he had TO 20
down TO the hotel in the valley. There
weren't many places where he could
make the descent. but he found them
and opened up the trail which the gov
eminent later improved so that a sober
man could travel It with safety
The President had a good deal of fun
with the aged naturalist on the walk
down. Mr.. Muir has spent ten years of
his life in the Yosemite, and he admits
that he is IN love with t.
At Union Point the President stepped
out on shelf OF rock TO look down on
the valley $500 feet below. He was scarce
" there when cheers hoated I'D family