The Friendly Relations Between Belford’s Boy And President Arthur  

This  ‘Special to the Chicago Times’ was published in the Flume May 11, 1882. 

Representative Belford is the happy father of two boys. One of them, named Sam, a red headed young dare-devil of eight years, was recently introduced to President Arthur. He took the introduction very cooly and at once proceeded to establish familiar relations with the chief magistrate. Two days ago Sam, who is fond of pictorial pursuits and will brave anything in the way of parental punishment to satisfy his taste, sat fishing at he foot of Seventeenth street. After the style of older anglers he had his line between his right first finger and thumb and was anxiously, yet patiently awaiting a bite. He was aroused from his reverie by a tall man smoking a cigar, who cheerily accosted him: 

            “Hallo, Sam, what are you doing there, my boy?’ 

            “Why, halloe, Mr. Arthur,” was the boys reply, “I am fishing. Don’t you want to take a line yourself?” 

            “No, not now,” said the president, smiling. 

            “Don’t you like to fish?” asked the young westerner. 

            “O, yes.” Was the reply. “I frequently go fishing. I caught a fifty-pound salmon in the St. Lawrence, once..” 

            “I think it’s funny for you to be here,” continued Sam, hauling up his line and looking disgusted when he found his bait gone and no fish on the hook. “Ain’t you afraid of getting shot, like Mr. Garfield?” 

            “No, Sam,” replied the president. “I never think of that. I like to stroll around and especially to come down here.”   

            “If I was a rich man like you. Mr. Arthur,” said the boy, “ and had all the carriages and horses you have, I would not come walking around here; I would ride out to Great Falls and fish.” 

            President Arthur laughed at the artlessness of the boy and said he was going to Great Falls some of these days to fish. 

            “Are you going to the circus, Mr. Arthur?” broke in Sam abruptly. 

            “No, are you?” 

            “Yes, indeed. I wouldn’t miss the circus for anything. Governor Pacheco is going to take me in his carriage. It’s two miles, you know, and we’ve got to ride. They say the’ve  got an awful big elephant. You ought to go and see it, Mr. Arthur.” 

            “Well,” said the president, “let us walk up the street, anyway. It’s near time for the circus.” 

            “That’s so,” said Sam, pulling up his line and stuffing the major part into his pocket. “I’ll go along with you, Mr.Arthur.” 

            They walked up the street a short distance, Sam holding on by the president’s hand. “Why,” he broke out suddenly, “we all like you, Mr. Arthur, because of Mr. Teller. Herbert likes you, too.” 

            “Who is Herbert?” asked the president. 

            “He’s my brother. He’s twelve years old and he likes you. I’ll bring him up to see you.” 

            “All right ,” was the genial response. “Both of you come up to the White House and have dinner with me some day, and I’ll drive you out to Great Falls and we’ll have some good fishing.” 

              “That’ll be bully!” cried Sam. His eyes brightened as he saw a carriage driving towards them. He yelled to the coachman to stop. “There’s Governor Pacheco,” he shouted. The governor stepped out of the carriage and advanced toward the president, and Sam sang out: 

            “Hello, Governor! Mr. Arthur, this is my friend, Governor Pacheco. I want you to know him. I’ll go with you now, Governor. Good day, Mr. Arthur,” relinquishing the president’s hand, and General Arthur and Governor Pacheco separated. It was evident Sam thought more of the Govenor than he did of the president, and more of the circus than he did of both.”