The Washington herald., 1919-09-13

Felt's home-Pete Felt. who lives in
Quincy. Ill. now. John said I must
come to the reception; that he would
come and get me. He did. He called
for. me with horse and buggy and
drove me over.
THE house was filled with people.
John made a. speech, then told the
folks he must be excused-that Presi-
dent Roosevelt had sent for him and
that he must catch the next train
East. He drove me home and kissed
me good-by. I have not seen him
since, but often hear of him. He
always speaks of me as tenderly as
If I were his mother"
Now to visit the two surviving
teachers of I.aclede's old school. Both
live in Kansas City. one in Kansas
City, Mo-. the other across the line
in Kansas City. Kans. George n.
Elliott, the one in Kansas City, Mo-.
among the most respected members
of the Missouri bar. can tell one lot
about the general. / found the old
lawyer in his office in the New York
Life Building a man about 67-teach-
ers were young in the sos, younger
sometimes than their pupils-exceed-
ingly pleasant and much pleased to
recall his famous pupils school days.
Yes" he said to me. Il know lot
about John ] boarded at his home
when ! taught school in Laclede, SO
was given opportunity not only to
observe John in school, but to observe
him In his home. He was a remark
able boy. Not that he was brilliant.
which he wasn't, but that he was
studious. quick to learn apd depend
able.
Was a Real Boy.
when / taught John he was in his
last year in the Laclede school-about
IS or II years old. He was the most
advanced pupil. ready almost TO be
a teacher himself, which he did be-
come the next year. I recall. indeed
that I gave him his teachers ceruh-
cate ! had become county school
commissioner.
I'm school John attended strictly
to his studies. working hard to master
each. At home he studied and read
much. But he was not a bookworls.
He was very much OF a boy-a real
boy-ready for any boyish fun When
parties were held in his home he en-
tered into them whole-heartedly. join
ing in all the games-kissing games
or any other kind
7 was reading law when l lived
with the Pershings. John was much
interested in my studies. He would
discuss law with me; read II with
me sometimes. / think in those days
be seriously considered engaging In
the legal profession
The Pershing family was an IDEAL
one. Mr.. and Mrs. Pershing were
truly model parents. Strict discipline
was maintained. but life was always
made pleasant for the children High
standards were set for them The
home was a Christian home-Clean,
ennobling.
But I have a story Of John I want
to tell you" Mr.. Elliott interjected.
You'll find II a good one.
There were two boys in one Of the
lower rooms-two unruly boys, with
whom their teacher was having con-
slant trouble. She brought the boys
before me They were big. but dis
ciplined them, Furnishing them rather
severely. They decided TO get me
heard they had plotted to waylay
ME some dark night on my way home
was somewhat alarmed. I told John
and he offered to help me. He went
about with me after dark.
He Handles n Bull.
"One night the boys attacked US
The older had a knife and for a few
minutes there was quite a tight. John
disarmed the boy with the knife
gave him something with which 10
remember the encounter, too-a black
eye. I took care of the younger boy.
One of those boys. am sorry TO say.
is now in a penitentiary.
That little fight drew John and me