The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-09-01

ed and his body shook with his in
tense feeling. He emphasized with
little gestures of the arm.
And then one about the president,
or rather a continuation for he had
written about them both in the one
poem. He was out of his shell then,
oblivious of himself and his sur
roundings, consumed by his own
words of love for these friends of
his.
YET he wouldn't let this poem be
printed-not unless Mrs. Coolidge
and the president agree. He does not
wish to share his friendship with the
public and he feels that he has been
| presented in wrong light.
They're trying to belittle me, to
make people think I'm iltcrate," he
said bitterly, and walked up and
down excitedly. He reached up on a
Shelf and brought down school
blank book. He opened it and hand
ed it over. "There," he said, "that's
the letter l wrote back to the presi-
dent. You're the first one who's
seen it, too"
1t was an eXcellently worded note,
conveying the terrific sincerity that
characterizes his personality. He i'm
mediately began to defend his letter
against imaginary criticism.
I'm not much of a penman," he
said, "but who would be if they had
to cramp their hands all up at this
work" He thrust forth a work.
worn hand.
"Of course, l could have had one
OF my children write it. We've raised
eight and I've put several of them
through college. But Cal would have
known right away that didn't write
It, He knows my way of talking and
writing.
"That wouldn't be any more hon
est than most of the other little
tricks going on today. The other day
the insurance man told me there must
be mistake in my age on my policy
and he'd give ME the benefit of the
difference in rate. | told him the
age was right. I'm &C and not day
! younger. Here, stop that"
Mr.. Lucey retrieved his letter to
the president which his guest had
begun to copy. eff Cal wants to
give that out it's up to him but I'm
not going to-"
i GETTING the cobbler to discuss
the president is like drawing teeth.
HIS summary was: "Ive been
mighty lucky to have Cal Coolidge
for friend and the United States is
mighty lucky to have him for a
president. He has turned out lust
as good man as he was boy when
ne first started coming into this shop
when he was sophomore up at
Amherst.
II don't remember that he was
much interested in politics then but
ne was a real serious, sensible Young
1ellow--more than most of 'em seem
to be now. He began to get into poll
tics when he went into the law
mere" He paused and peered over
his glasses. Seems to have been
doing pretty well at it SINCE" he
chuckled.
AT present Mr.. Lucey is enjoying
Hiram Colts Religion the first
chapter of which is titled "Shoes and
sermons" The book came anony-
mously from Washington but Mr..
Lucey admits his suspicious that it
came from a certain White House
there.
And it's certainly funny the way
the cobbler in that book gets off
some good ones on the parson," he
smiled approximately.
| A BRIEF acquaintance with Mr.
Lucey is tantaliziEg. You feel there
arc depths which you have merely
sensed and you begin to understand
Mr.. Coolidgc's letter although the
presidents own barber here saws Mr.
Coolidge felt particularly Obliged Ia
Mr.. Lucey for his advice on court.
ship.