Evening journal., 1910-12-08
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Fruit Vender Who Cor
rObOrated an Ex-PreSident
-
By "HOlIand."

Rutherford b. Hayes, when he was
inaugurated President OF the United
States. made the emphatic statement.
leaving no loophole, tnat under no
circumstances would he serve a sec
ond term as President II was his
view that il was the better part for
any man elected and inaugurated as
President SO to concentrate his abili-
ties upon his administration as to
make that administration the best pos
sible; and he was convinced that this
could not be done if a President had
constantly in mind denomination for
and reelection 10 the office.
Some time after he had retired from
the presidency. Mr.. Hayes stated to a
personal friend who had held a re-
sponsible appointive Office under him
that he had never regretted making
the decision not 10 aspire 10 be Presi-
dent for a second term; and from the
fullness OF the experience that had
come to him since he had left the
White House he added:
Il think it is one Of the best ex-
emplifications of the perfect wisdom
of those who fixed the presidential
term at four years that anyone who
has served as President passes quietly
and without the slightest friction from
that powerful Office into private life,
while his successor becomes In an in
stant the chief executive OF a great
nation. Presidents come and Presi-
dents go but the nation lives"
A few months later the friend to
whom eX-President Hayes had made
this remark found himself in Phila-
delphia on business trip on a hot
summer day. Across the street from
his hotel was a fruit stand, which dis
played some succulent pears. a lux
ury Of which the former Office holder
was very fond, and going over to the
sidewalk vendor he laid in a supply
Of the mans wares.
He was just turning away from the
stand for his hotel when he saw ap-
preaching a man whom he recognized
at once. The newcomer wore a much
wrinkled linen duster, which showed
traces OF perspiration at the back He
had upon his head a somewhat muss-
ed silk hat. He was carrying a grip
sack that was none too well preserv-
ed. In short, the mans whole appear
ance was that of some inconspicuous
traveller who had just arrived and was
on his way to the hotel across the
street.
A moment later the two men were
in friendly conversation. IT am very
glad to see you, Mr.. President" ex-
claimed the purchaser of the pear, go
ing up to the new arrival. 1T is an
unexpected pleasure. Have you been
travelling far?
YES" replied Mr.. Hayes. for the
unassuming traveller was the ex-Presi-
dent Of the United States. yes.
have been to Boston, and have
stopped off here to attend to a little
business matter before / return to my
home"
II have some fine pears here" call
ed out a voice at their back
The eX-President faced towards the
| fruit stand and scrutinized the fruit.
"They look refreshing" he said, but
cannot conveniently carry them"
Here is one that is a little hard ;
you can carry it." urged the fruit
dealer, holding out a pear. But Mr.
Hayes preferred not to buy, and shak.
ing hands with his friends few mo.
ments later, went on his way to keeI
the business appointments he hat
made by mail.
The ex-ofIice holder turned to tht
fruit seller. do you know who thai
was?" he asked
''No, have never seen him before
He's never come along this way be-
fore"
Well" replied the ex-of1ice holder
that man was President Of the United
State a little while ago-Rutherford
p. Hayes. Don't you wish you mad
known that when you were trying tc
sell him some of your pears?"
NO, he don't count, he's a back
number now" answered the fruit
seller, as he arranged his wares
I'VE don't care for any back numbers
in this country. It's the new ones that
we care Tor"
And in that unlooked-for, off-hand
statement by man Of the people the
ex-ofiice holder realized how accurate
was the statement Of his former chief
that the American people receive back
into private life without ceremony OF
formality even one who had cerved
them as head OF the nation.
| Copyright 1910, by y. j. Edwards
All rights reserved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell OF
a Case of the Hare and the Tor,
tOise I'm Politics"