Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/335

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OF WILLIAM McKINLEY
287

quently given. For the occasion the building was decorated with pahns and potted plants, and flags were everywhere.

Long before the time appointed for the reception a great crowd gathered in the vicinity of the Temple of Music, all bright, cheerful, and expectant, never dreaming of the horrible tragedy so close at hand. Guards were upon all sides, but it was not thought necessary to caution them to extra watchfulness, for the President was so much beloved it was imagined he had not an enemy in all this broad land.

At last the President and his party arrived. Just before the Temple of Music was reached there was a delay, because the carriage could not get through the assembled multitude. During this delay one of the boys selling programmes on the grounds pushed his way to the President's turnout.

"Here's a present for you, Mr. President," he cried, and handed the chief magistrate three programmes.

"Thank you, my boy," returned President McKinley, and putting his hand into his pocket he drew out a dollar. "Here is something for you," he added.