The Washington herald., 1914-04-13
HISTORY BUILDERS.
President Arthur's Kindness Toward
g. Children.
written, Expressly for The HeraldJ
Hy DIR, r.. ,. EDWARDS.


By DIR. Il. ,. EDWARDS.
One hot afternoon in midsummer Of 1854,
day when Washington was sweltering
in fierce heat. went to jackson square
In the hope that beneath the trees Of
that resort a breeze might temper the
fierce glow Of the sun.
! had been there perhaps half an hour
when ! saw gentleman enter the square
from the Pennsylvania avenue side and
walk slowly and yet with firm step along
the central path. recognized him az
once as President Arthur. He had come
from the White House to take an after
noon stroll and was also in search Of a
cool spot.
Seeing me seated there he turned asid"
and after greeting me asked me II ]
would tell him anything that was inter
esting which had come under my obser-
walton at the Republican national conyen-
ton which ! had attended at Chicago 9
few days earlier.
While we were chatting. child. per
haps six or seven years of age, came un.
cOncernedly along the path. evidently
having strayed from a nurse who sat
upon a bench and who had a younger
child in charge.
President Arthur took need OF the little
one and, holding out his hands, said
I w ont you come and shake hands with
me- and tell me what your name is?''
The President was fond Of children and
they always had an intutive sense of
his kindness of heart for them.
The child approached him a little shyly
and the President. observing that, said:
Don't YOU want to shake hands with
the President? II you shake hands with
me now. you can remember as long as
you live that one day you shook hands
with the President Of the United States%'
The little boy looked Curiously at the
President for moment or two. He had
hear Of the President. To him it meant
something wonderful He went with a
happy smile to President Arthur. who
STOPPING over. took his hand and asked
his name. Then the nurse perceived
that the little chap had strayed from
in a moment or two she recognized as
the President Of the United States. She
became confused, but President Arthur
led the little one gently to her and de-
livered him over to her
on returning the President said: With
American children a. with American
adults. 1t is not the man. but il is the
office Of President that makes the pro-
found impression. Of course, il was
hAAlt III Nllt case VI Jtil DTdHl.
for he had gained great renOwn as the
commander Of the Union armies But in
the case Of A civilian who has been
elected President il is the Office and not
the man that appeals Children who have
shaken hands with President will in
after years say. When was a child
shook hands with the President Of the
United States
One Of the plessantest of my expert
ences in the White House has been the
sense OF qualification which | am able
to give as President to children who
come to the White House to shake hands
with me. And ! have often taken the
hand OF a little one who was led by
nurse at public reception at the White
House and felt warmer greeting than
any that | have obtained from those
who were Of adult years
,CoPynEht. 1874. b, Z J. Edwsris Al nights re-
TTed-'
TomorrOf DIR. wards ". tell Of The.
Feat Capt. Marryatt Pronounced Impos-
l.