The Washington herald., 1910-06-20

Oyster Bay, June 1s-Privacy. Mats
the word. Absolute. impenetrableS double
riveted. nonIeakable.- -eoaesnuous and all
peryasiye privacy. with only two loop
holes a week. That was the gist of
very courteous but very crisp few mo-
ments of conversation on the part Of Col.
Roosevelt this afternoon.
What he does, what he thinks, how he
amuses himself, whom he receives, these
and several other items about which the
country has been accustomed TO have
fair working knowledge are to become
known only at the bi-weekly chats which
he VIII submit TO. And those are to be
held in the Offices of the Outlook. where
ne will begin his editorship in person on
Wednesday next.
But, Notwithstanding this reticence in
details, the colonel made no effort 10
convey the impression that in his capac-
ity as q private citizen he has abjured
the society of public men.
To-day he has been associating with
two persons who have a hand in the
guest at Sycamore Hill over Sunday, and
this afternoon Secretary of the Navy
Meyer dropped in by way of the Dolphin
and Long Island Sound, for an evenings
talk over the teacups and even later.
Whether it viii become known who are
the visitors OF note who visit him subse-
quently is purely problematical.
Makes Ii Understood.
These impressions were gained al sun
set this evening when the ex-President
came out on his veranda 10 receive sew
eral inquiring callers. His last word to
them in answer TO a question about his
African trip was this:
II shan't have anything 10 say. ever"
The colonel began his protests Of reti-
cence as soon as be came within hearing
distance.
Now, gentlemen he said. 4 really
haven't anything 90 say on any subject
whatever. I don't want 10 have anybody
get in the habit of coming to me with
the idea that l am going 10 talk, for
am not going to do 1t at all.
Twice a week 1 intend TO go into New
York, and | viii be az the Outlook Office
there. That is the only place that shall
receive callers who want me TO say any
thing"
What are your plans for the next few
days?" he was asked.
Beyond going into town tomorrow
morning for my sons wedding, and on
Wednesday for my first visit 10 the Out
look Office since l have been back, Z
haven't anything to tell
Senator Lodge was around the corner
of the porch with Secretary Meyer, and
their propinquity inspired the next Gues-
tion, which was,
"Can you tell US what you have been
doing to-day, coloneI?"
Now that he burst ont with some
enthusiasm. "is just the kind Of a ques-
tion that I don't want to answer. My
life here from now on is 10 be absolutely
private II 1 began telling about all
those things, the result would be that /
shouldn't have any peace or rest or va
cation all summer. I would be simply
overrun all the time"
'4How About the Receptionf"
Won't you tell US what you thought
OF your reception?' put In some one. in a
spirit of bravado.
The ex-President shook his head at
first. then he widened his smile a trife.
and finally said:
Il guess you know what thought
about that"
How about the trophies that are ex-
pected here; when do you expect to un-
pack them?"
NO, no" laughed the colonel: mot
word"
Isn't there anything about that Afri-
can trip that you want TO add to what
you have said already?"
Here came the answer that fairly
bowled over his hearers.
NO. I shan't have anything 10 say,
ever"
In spite of the avowal which was made
at the tag end of the affair. there are
few facts IN regard 10 the way that the
colonel had spent his first day as pri-
yate citizen back from the hunt that
have in a measure Sifted out In the
hours before church time word came
down the hill that he and Senator Lodge
were talking over the coloneTs trip. His
son-in-lavv permitted this impression TO be
borne Also, those who passed in the
vicinity of the Roosevelt house declared
that the colonel could be seen pacing the
piazza with some activity, and that there
were moments when Senator Lodge
joined him.
Church time in Oyster Bay IS 10:45. A
very few minutes before that there was
sprinkling of curious villagers posting
themselves with kodaks, many OF them
under the trees of Christ Episcopal
Church. which is the one the colonel at
tends here on account OF Mrs. RoOse-
velt's religious leanings. From the trees
in front Of the rambling little building.
with It's long gabled red roof and IVY
grown walls. the banners that remained
from yesterdays welcome had dried out
sufficiently to fiutter.
Attends Church in Aufo.
There was quite large attendance Of
wondering ones by the time the bell be-
gan its final toiIing. They were looking
for the coloners party 10 drive up be-
hind his horses, for during the time he
was making Oyster Bay the summer
capital It was known that he frowned
upon automobiles. But he fooled them.
Scarcely had 1t been discovered that he
was speeding down the road under gas
oline, before a comfortable car rolled
under the porte-cochere of the church.
The colonel was In the tonnesu. and with
him were Mrs. Roosevelt, Mrs. H. A.
Alexander. Miss Alexander, who is the
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