Part 3 (2/2)

At the close of the dinner, the reporters came in and Edas seated directly in front of the President In those days when a public dinner included several kinds of wine, it was the custolasses were placed before Edward's plate he realized that he had to make a decision then and there He had, of course, constantly seen wine on his father's table, as is the European custom, but the boy had never tasted it He decided he would not begin then, when he needed a clear head So, in order to get more roolasses

It was the first time he bad ever attempted to report a public address

General Grant's reave the young reporter no trouble But alas for his stenographic knowledge, when President Hayes began to speak! Edorked hard, but the President was too rapid for hiet the speech, and he noticed that the reporters for the other papers fared no better

Nothing daunted, however, after the speechht the President, and as the latter turned to hiht, explained it was his first iiven a copy of the speech so that he could ”beat”

the other papers

The President looked at him curiously for a moment, and then said: ”Can you wait a few minutes?”

Edward assured him that he could

After fifteen minutes or so the President ca, and said abruptly:

”Tell lasses removed from your place?”

Edas completely taken aback at the question, but he explained his resolution as well as he could

”Did you ?” the President asked

He had

”What is your name?” the President next inquired

He was told

”And you live, where?”

Edward told him

”Suppose you write your name and address on this card forfor one of the placecards on the table

The boy did so

”Now, I ahts Is that in the direction of your hoo with ive you my speech”

Edas not quite sure nohether he was on his head or his feet

As he drove along with the President and his host, the President asked the boy about hi at Mr

Low's house, the President went up-stairs, and in a few moments came doith his speech in full, written in his own hand Edward assured him he would copy it, and return the

The President took out his watch It was then aftera moment, he said: ”You say you are an office boy; what tiht, sir”