Part 18 (1/2)

And to the father's astonished ears caton as soon as ht, introduce me to President Roosevelt, and let ht,” said the father, after recovering from his surprise

”I'll see whether I can fix it” And thatthat he had been chosen as a Christmas present

Naturally, any h his station, and for Theodore Roosevelt, father of boys, the e had a special appeal

The letter had no sooner reached Washi+ngton than back came an answer, addressed not to the father but to the boy! It read:

The White House, Washi+ngton

November 13th, 1907

DEAR CURTIS:

Your father has just writtenyou on and shake hands withto give you,trips since I have been President; unless you ait until the new edition, which contains two more chapters, is out If so, I will send it to you, as this new edition probably won't be ready when you coards to your father and mother

Sincerely yours,

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

Here was joy serene! But the boy's heart had acted queerly for a few days, and so the father wrote, thanked the President, and said that as soon as the heart iven the boy

It was a rare bit of consideration that now followed No sooner had the father's letter reached the White House than an answer came back by first post--this time with a special-delivery stamp on it It was Theodore Roosevelt, the father, rote this time; his mind and tihtfulness for a little boy:

DEAR MR BOK:--

I have your letter of the 16th instant I hope the little felloill soon be all right Instead of giving hie from me based on the letter, if that will be better for him Tell Mrs

Bok how deeply Mrs Roosevelt and I sympathize with her We know just how she feels

Sincerely yours,

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

”That's pretty fine consideration,” said the father He got the letter during a business conference and he read it aloud to the group of business roup who keenly differed with the President on national issues, but they were all fathers, and two of the sturdiest turned and walked to theas they said:

”Yes, that is fine!”

Then came the boy's pleasure when he was handed the letter; the next few days were spent inditing an answer to ”my friend, the President”

At last the momentous epistle seemed satisfactory, and off to the busy presidential desk went the boyish note, full of thanks and assurances that he would coet impatient!