Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/336

286 "No, it's a present," said the lad, with a bright smile, and then the President smiled in return and thanked him again. Thus a boy gave him probably the last present he received and accepted.

The President was to receive near the centre of the large auditorium, the people coming in at one door and filing out at another. Soon the doors were opened, and the crowd began to enter and push forward, eagerly and yet good-naturedly.

For the time being nobody noticed a slightly built man, with a weak, characterless face, who had his hand tied up in a handkerchief. He joined the procession with the others, with a little girl and some ladies and gentlemen in front of him, and a negro and some white people behind.

Bowing and smiling pleasantly. President McKinley met every newcomer and shook the person cordially by the hand, as has been our democratic custom of Presidents for many years.

Presently the man who had his hand tied up in a handkerchief stood at the front, and now several noticed him, and the President put out his other hand as if to shake the