Part 4 (1/2)

”Well, good night,” he said, and then, as if it were a second thought: ”By the way, I can get another copy of the speech Just turn that in as it is, if they can read it”

Afterward, Edward found out that, as a h the boy did not then appreciate this act of consideration, his instinct fortunately led hiinal at the President's stopping-place in thereporter was ale_ was the only paper which had a verbatim report of the President's speech

But the day was not yet done!

That evening, upon reaching ho note:

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND:----

I have been telling Mrs Hayes this , and she was very much interested She would like to see you, and joins ht-thirty

Very faithfully yours,

RUTHERFORD B HAYES

Edward had not risen to the possession of a suit of evening clothes, and distinctly felt its lack for this occasion But, dressed in the best he had, he set out, at eight o'clock, to call on the President of the United States and his wife!

He had no sooner handed his card to the butler than that dignitary, looking at it, announced: ”The President and Mrs Hayes are waiting for you!” The ring of those ic words still sounds in Edward's ears: ”The President and Mrs Hayes are waiting for you!”--and he a boy of sixteen!

Edward had not been in the roohly at ease as if he were sitting in his own home before an open fire with his father and mother Skilfully the President drew from him the story of his youthful hopes and a the President and his wife all about his precious _Encyclopaedia_, his evening with General Grant, and his efforts to becoracious a listener before; no mother could have been more tenderly motherly than the woman who sat opposite him and seemed so honestly interested in all that he told Not for aall those two hours was he allowed to remember that his host and hostess were the President of the United States and the first lady of the land!

That evening was the first of many thus spent as the years rolled by; unexpected little courtesies cael Grove”; a constant and unflagging interest followed each undertaking on which the boy embarkedOpportunities were opened to him; acquaintances were made possible; a letter came almost every month until that last little note, late in 1892:

MY DEAR FRIEND:

I would write you htful and kind

Thankfully your friend,

RUTHERFORD B HAYES

Thanks--thanks for your steady friendshi+p

The silasses had won for Edward Bok two gracious friends

The passion for autograph collecting was now leading Edward to read the authors whom he read about He had becofellow, Holmes, and, particularly, of Eemind, and a small copy of Ee or horse-car rides to his office and back

He noticed that these New England authors rarely visited New York, or, if they did, their presence was not heralded by the newspapers areat desire personally tosaved a little money, he decided to take his week's summer vacation in the winter, when he knew he should be more likely to find the people of his quest at hos on a trip to Boston He had never been so far away from home, so this trip was a ; and the first thing he did was to despatch a note, bythe important fact that he was there, and what his errand was, and asking whether he ht come up and see Doctor Holmes any time the next day Edward navely told him that he could come as early as Doctor Holmes liked--by breakfast-time, he was assured, as Edas all alone! Doctor Holined

Within the hour the ht back this answer:

MY DEAR BOY: