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

210 SWINGING AROUND THE CIRCLE
INCIDENTS OF THE COLORADO TRIP
From Sharon Springs, where the President spent Sunday,
he went to Denver and other points in Colorado. At the
former place he attended divine service, and as the services
began, a very pleasing incident occurred, which illustrates
President Roosevelt's innate kindness of heart. Two little girls
were standing in the aisle, near the President's pew, and as
soon as he saw them he drew them to his side, and during the
singing the three shared the same hymn book.
The nation's Chief Executive was the guest of the city of
Denver for two and one-half hours, and the people, regard-
less of political affiliation, greeted him with a warmth and
heartiness of welcome not exceeded on his transcontinental
tour. A military escort was in waiting to receive the Execu-
tive on his arrival in the city, and Mayor Wright welcomed
him. He presented the President with a morocco-bound,
engraved program of his tour through the city and a magnifi-
cent gold badge bearing the State crest and an appropriate
inscription.
SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM IN DENVER
The throngs in the spacious capitol grounds and the adjacent
streets sent up cheer after cheer as the President came
into view. He was introduced by Governor Peabody and
spoke for a few minutes, after which the President's party was
conveyed to the city park. After entering the park, the carriages
passed between long rows of school children, who
waved flags and loudly voiced their pleasure in seeing the first
citizen of the republic. On the return from the park to the
depot the scenes of enthusiasm were repeated.
Over twenty thousand people welcomed the President at
Colorado Springs. He was escorted to the Antlers Hotel,