So, in order to get more
room for his notebook, he asked the waiter to remove the glasses.
It was the first time he bad ever attempted to report a public address.
General Grant's remarks were few, as usual, and as he spoke slowly, he
gave the young reporter no trouble. But alas for his stenographic
knowledge, when President Hayes began to speak! Edward worked hard,
but the President was too rapid for him; he did not get the speech, and
he noticed that the reporters for the other papers fared no better.
Nothing daunted, however, after the speechmaking, Edward resolutely
sought the President, and as the latter turned to him, he told him his
plight, explained it was his first important "assignment," and asked if
he could possibly be given a copy of the speech so that he could "beat"
the other papers.
The President looked at him curiously for a moment, and then said: "Can
you wait a few minutes?"
Edward assured him that he could.
After fifteen minutes or so the President came up to where the boy was
waiting, and said abruptly:
"Tell me, my boy, why did you have the wine-glasses removed from your
place?"
Edward was completely taken aback at the question, but he explained his
resolution as well as he could.
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