Evening star., 1924-02-02
tContinued from Yesterdays Star.

kCont1nued from Yesterdays Starr
Matters stood thus when. at time
when scarce another soul could have
been crowded into the anteroom, o.d
Henry flung open the folding doors
which he had closed.
"Mistah Thomas Jeffahson" was his
sole announcement.
There appeared In the doorway the
tail, slightly stopped figure of the
PRESIDENT of the United States. one
or the greatest men OF his own or cf
any day. He stood. gravefy uucon-
scious of himself. TRANQUILITY looking
out upon his gathered guests. He
was still clad in the garb which he
had worn throughout the day-the
same in which he had climbed to the
pigeon loft--the same in which he
had .labored during all these long
hours.
His coat was still browa and wrin-
kled, hanging loosely on his long
1rame. His trousers were the
stained velveteens of the fao-ninc:
ms walstcoat the same faded red; his
nose the slack woolen pair that he had
worn throughout the day. And upon
MS feet-horrOr of horr ors'-hp wore
still his slippers. the same rlG car
pet shippers. down AT ;he heal, which
had afforded him ease Il. he sat 1T
his desk.
As Thomas jefferson stood. he over
topped the men about him head and
shoulders in physical STATURE. as ne
dld in every other measure cf a man,
Innocent or unconscious If his own
appearance, his eye seeking fer
knowledge of his guests, he caught
sisht of the group behir'i the ,I;tven-
port Rapidly making his way
th1thcr. he greeted each. Offering his
hand Ia be shaken. bowng deeply to
the ladies: and SO Quickly passed on
leaving them almost as much InyS1i-
fed as before. Only Yrujo. the Span
ish minister. looked after him with
any trace of recognition. fo- "a: this
moment Meriwether Lewis was away.
among other guests.
An instant later the curtained fold
ing doors Which separated the ante
room from the dining saloon w"Te
thrown open. MIR. jefferson passed
In and took his place at the head of
the tHhfe. casting not a single look
toward any who were to join him
theres There was no announcement;
there was no pas. no precedence no
reserved place for any man. an
nounoement for any lady or gentle
man. no servant to escort any to a
place at table,
1t had been worse far worse. this
for the sWiftncsa and tact of the
young man to whom 80 much was in
trusted. MeriwetEer Lewis hastened
here and there. wedding out those
who could not convince him that they
we're invited to dine. He separated
~ best he might the socially elect
from those not yet socially arrived,
until at length he stood. almost the
sole barrier against those who still
crowded forward.
Here he was met once more by the
party from behind the. davenport
Tell me-" demanded Mr. Merry.
fered for her-had given his angry
lady his own a nm. .teli me. sir. where
Is the President? To whom shall L
present the greetings Of his British
"Yondcr ta the President Of the
United States. str." said Meriw ether
Lewis. He with whom, you, shook
hands is the President He stands at
welcome if you like. he asks you
Merry turned to-; his wife, and from
her to the wife of the Spanish min
ister :.
"Impossib!e.". SAID he II do not
Understandable cannot be! That man
that extraordinary man in breeches
and slippers yonder-it cannot be he
asks US to sit at table with him!
He cannot be the President of the
United States,"
None the less he is. Mr.. Merry"
the secretary assured him.
Good Heavens" said the minister
from Great Britain. a s he passed on,
half dazed
BY this time there remained but
few seats. none at all toward the
rportion. Toward the end Of the room,
farthest from the official host a few
chairs still stood vacant, because
they had not been sought for
even these opportunities should pass.
stepped the minister from Great
Britain and the minister from Spain.
their ladies' with them-none offer
ing escort
Well disposed to smile at his chiefs
audacious overturning of all social
usage. yet not unadvised of the seri-
BUSINESS Of all this, Meriwether Lewis
handed the distinguished guests to
their seats as best he might; and
then left them as best he might.
At that time there were not six
vacant places remaining at the long
table. No one seemed to know how
many had been Invited to the ban
uuet, or how many were expected
no one in the company seemed TO
known any one else. 1t was indeed
A pell-mell affair:
For once the American democracy
was triumphant But the leader OF
that democracy, the head Of the new
administration, the host at this off,
oial banquet. tLe ,arss President a9frsan OF the
gnssd ons oussy sase looking out
over over the long table. entirely uncon-
cerned with what he saw. If there
was trouble. 1t was for others, not
for him.
Those at table presently began to
eaat themselves, Following the hosts
example. It was at this moment that
tho young captain or anairs turneo
onceS more toward the great doors
with the intention of closing them.
Old Henry was having his own battles
with the remaining audience In the
ward two belated guests Old Henry.
be sure, knew them both: and-as q
look at tho sudden change OF his
features might have told-so did MI.
Jefferson's aide.
They advanced with dlgnity, theSe
eleTant, exQufsitely clad in full-dress
costume; man whom you would
have turned to examine second
time had you met him anywhere.
Upon his arm was a young woman,
graceful, entirely at her ease. Many
present knew the two-Aaron Burr,
Vice President Of the United states;
his daughter, Theodosia Burr Aston.
Mr.. Burr passed within the great
doors. turned and powea IL oeepiy S,oso 10
the the crowded room. / His daughter
cnrtsied. also deeply. Their entry
was dramatic. Then they stood, a
somewhat stately picture. waiting for
an instant while seemingly deciding
their future course.
II was at this moment that Meri-
<swether Lewis approached them,
beckoning. He led them toward the
few seats that still remained unoc-
oapls9sy Mood them near e the ofii-