The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-06-28
CHAPTER TX.
Meet President Van Buren, and Am
Cross. Examined by MIR. Grimshaw.

| ! meet FreSiueHI van 0ureH ana AT
Cross Examined by MIR. Grimshaw.
The days went easier after that
The boys took me into their play and
some of them were most friendly.
had a swift foot and good eye as
well as strong arm, and could hold
my own at three old cat-a kind OF
baseball which we played In the
schoolyard. Saturday came. As We
were sitting down at the table that
morning the younger children chung
to the knees of Mr.. Racket and
begged him to take them up the rive,
in boat.
"Good Lordi What wilt thou give
me when / grow childless?" he ex
claimed with his arms around them
''That was the question Of Abraham
and 1t often comes to me. OF course
we shall go. But harkl Let us hear
what the green chair has to say"
There was moment Of silence and
then he went on with merry laugh
Fright We are, Michael Henryl You
are always right, my boy-God bless
your soull We shall take Bart with
us an doughnuts an cheese an cook
les an dried meat for ALL"
From that moment I date the be
ginning Of my love for the occupant
Of the green chair in the home Of Mi
chael Hacket. Those good people were
Catholics and a Protestant and YET
this Michael Henry always insisted
upon the most delicate consideration
for my faith and feelings.
II promised to spend the morning
In the field with Mr.. Wright, IL I may
have your consent, sir" / said.
'Then we shall console ourselves
knowing that you are in better com
pany," said Mr.. Racket.
Mr.. Dunkelberg called at the house
in Ashery lane to see me after
breakfast.
"Bart, If you will come with me
should like to order some store clothes
and boots for you," he said in his
squeaky voice.
For a moment I knew not how to
answer him. Nettled as had been BY
Sallys treatment Of me, the offer was
like rubbing ashes on the soreness Of
my spirit.
blushed and surveyed my garments
and said:
Il guess I look pretty bad, don't IT
"You look all right, but 1 thought
maybe you would feel better in softer
raiment, especially if you care to &C
around much with the young people.
am an old friend of the family and
guess it would be proper for me to
buy the clothes for you. When yor
are older you can buy suit for me
some time, IL you care to-"
1t should be understood that well
TODD people in the towns were more
particular about their dress those
days than now.
'T'll ask my aunt and uncle about
it." proposed.
'sThat's all right" he answered. "I'm
going to drive to your house this after
noon and your uncle wishes you to
go with me. We are all to have tall
with Mr.. Grimshaw."
He left me and I went over to Mr.
Wright's.
They told me that he was cutting
corn I'M the back lot, where I found
him.
"Mr. Dunkelberg came this morning
and wanted to buy me some new
clothes and boots," said.
The senator stopped work and stood
looking at me with his hands upon his
hips.
II wouldn't let him do it If / were
you," he said thoughtfully.
Just then saw a young man come
running toward us in the distant field
Mr.. Wright took out his compass.
"Look here" he said, "you see the
needle points due north"
He took a lodestone out Of his
pocket, and holding it near the com
pass moved it back and forth. The
needle followed it.
The young man came up to us
breathing deeply. Perspiration was
rolling off his face. He was much ex
cited and spoke with some difficulty
Senator Wright" he gasped, "Mrs
Wright sent me down to tell you that
President Van Buren, is at the house,
! remember wildly the look of milo
amusement in the senator's face and
the serene calmness with which be
looked at the young man and said tC
him:
'Tell Mrs. Wright to make him com
Portable in our easiest chair and t.
say to the president that shall be VI
directly"