The Triumphant Life of Theodore Roosevelt edited by J. Martin Miller

158
THE PRESIDENT STARTS ON HIS TRIP
this lime manned by a crew of tlie Chicago, Milwaukee and
St. Paul Railroad, steamed down the track, was coupled to
the presidential train and, waving a temporary farewell, the
President disappeared within his car.
At Evanston, preparation for a generous welcome had been
going forward almost since dawn, and when the special drew
up at the station all was in readiness. Mayor Patton greeted
the distinguished guest; the words of welcome were spoken
and answered; trumpets sounded; soldiers wheeled into line,
and the cavalcade started on its way to the Northwestern
University.
A very touching incident occurred during the drive. As
the President's carriage passed in front of Rest Cottage, the
old home of Frances E. Willard, and the place was pointed
out to him by Mayor Patton, Mr. Roosevelt had the carriage
pause for a moment before it, and reverently saluted the home
of the late temperance leader. Miss Willard and Mr. Roose-
velt met when he was police commissioner of New York, and
she was much impressed by his vigorous and manly character.
AN ARMY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
Finally a crossing was reached and the lines of men and
women gave way. In their place was an army of school chil-
dren. Each tiny hand clutched a flag and waved it vigorously.
The President dropped his hat on the carriage seat beside him
and held his hands out in expressive welcome to the little
tots. The response was a shower of roses and carnations that
fell in the carriage and beneath the horses' feet. At last the
gray walls of the university showed in the distance. The
entrance to the grounds was reached and after greeting the
students, who hailed him joyously, he entered the college.