"Mr. President, I do not think the United States dishonored every time
a row among drunken sailors takes place; besides, these were not
American sailors at all; they were foreigners, as you see by their
names. I would be disposed to cashier the captain of that ship for
allowing the sailors to go on shore when there was rioting in the town
and the public peace had been already disturbed."
The discussion continued until we had finally reached the door of the
White House in the dark. The President told me he had an engagement to
dine out that night, but invited me to dine with him the next evening,
when, as he said, there would be only the family and we could talk.
"I am greatly honored and shall be with you to-morrow evening," I
said. And so we parted.
The next morning I went over to see Mr. Blaine, then Secretary of
State. He rose from his seat and held out both hands.
"Oh, why weren't you dining with us last night? When the President
told Mrs. Blaine that you were in town, she said: 'Just think, Mr.
Carnegie is in town and I had a vacant seat here he could have
occupied.'"
"Well, Mr. Blaine, I think it is rather fortunate that I have not seen
you," I replied; and I then told him what had occurred with the
President.
"Yes," he said, "it really was fortunate.
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