Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/243

Rh relating, for it shows that this true-hearted American gentleman did not forget the poor and lowly, even though elevated to the highest office of the Nation.

The old colored woman had moved to Washington from Ohio several years before. She was very old, her husband was dead, and she had only a son upon whom she could depend for support. The son had had employment, but was now out of a situation. Shortly after McKinley became President the old colored woman made up her mind to call upon him and see if she could not obtain some sort of government employment for the son.

She was unable to pass the doorkeeper to get a private interview, for she was very old, and nobody understood exactly what she wanted. So on reception day she joined the long line of visitors and stood for nearly an hour waiting for her turn to grasp the chief magistrate by the hand.

She was very nervous, and when she stood in front of McKinley she could scarcely put out her hand, much less repeat what she had in mind to say.

"I dun stood dar jest like a fool," she said,