Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/225

Rh the largest majorities ever polled in Ohio up to that time. As one of the politicians of that time said, "He made friends of his enemies with astonishing rapidity." This politician spoke the truth and yet not all the truth. He had yet to learn that William McKinley did not belong to any one party, but to the whole nation, and that his strong personality was bound to break down party barriers wherever it presented itself.

The Governor was always very popular with the newsboys, all of whom knew him well. Whenever he arrived at Columbus there would always be a wild rush to serve him.

"Please, Mr. Governor, take my papers!" would be the cry heard on every side.

"All right, I'll take one from each of you," would be the good-natured answer, and then each newsboy would get a nickel or ten cents for his sheet.

One day it was very cold and wet when the Governor came from the State House. He started to patronize the newsboys, when a friend stopped him.

"Better get home, sir," said the friend. "It's too nasty for you to be out."