MR. ROOSEVELT'S JOKE. OFFICERS TAKEN FOR EXCITING "STROLL."

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 149, 23 December 1908, Page 2

MR. ROOSEVELT'S JOKE. OFFICERS TAKEN FOR EXCITING "STROLL."

America is laughing heartily at the expense of some sixty odd officers of tho general staff, who accepted the invitation of President Roosevelt to accompany him on a little stroll (writes a Now York cor. respondent, on 9th November). The invitation followed an address winch the President delivered at the War Collogo on the desirability of ofncerfl keeping m a fit condition physically, even in (he piping times of peace. Herded by President Roosevelt, Secretary Garheld, and Mr. Bacon, tho Underbecrotary of State, and Generals Bell and \\ etnersflbon. the company assemblod on the boulder bridge. Rock "Creek Park. This is bully," shouted the President, who was wearing a roughrider hat; "I have not led so many men since the daya of Cuba." .. '^ nen began an experience which tho little army of officers will remember to their .dying day. President Roosevelt, arriving at tho foot of a bramble-packed nnl, gave tho word, and up they tore tl-rough the thicket at breathless speed. \\ hen thoy reached the top, the President shouted. "By Godfiey ! There's notning up here. Down we go again !" '-lenceforth it -was a furious game of follow my leader." Tie President climbed v. ith his toes and fingers a precipitous rock 200 ft high, and waited for tho sixty perspiring and panting offices to reach the summit. Immediately ho clid down again to the edge of the waters of Rode Creek, nhich at that point are seventy feet wide. .Removing his hnt, an.J placing in it his cyeglasse?, keys, and v.aich, the President, shouting "Follow i:io '. stopped into tho water up <o the ; ,Mai*i and waded across, laughing heartily at hie splutters of the smaller officers, who -\\qio immersed to tho armpits. Shaking himself like a do?, according to tho accounts of his shivering followr;rs, President Roose\elt jumped up on to tho opposite bank, and crying "I'm sorry wo didn't Ret oufc of our depth, but a cold bath is a bully thing for an appetite," started off briskly on a five miles walk home. His high spirits, however, failed to rescue from the depths of despondency tho sixty dripping officers and slatcsrnen, who slunk to their bods after ordering hot toddy and declaring that one little stroll with the President would last a lifetime.