‘The White House Bear’

Wally Bean was invited to play with his new friend, Archibald.

Archibald didn’t live in a regular house like Wally, though. He lived in a great big one called the White House. Archibald’s father, Theodore Roosevelt, was president of the United States.

“You must look proper, Wally,” Mama said. She straightened his collar and slicked down his hair.

“Your shoes are scruffy,” said Papa. He spit on his handkerchief, bent down and polished the toes.

“Remember your manners,” Mama reminded. “When you meet him, take a bow and say, ‘I am honored to meet you, Mr. President.’ ”

Now Wally worried that he might not look proper, or forget his manners, or say the wrong words. Maybe he should stay home. But it was too late. A horse-drawn carriage arrived and drove him straight to the White House.

The front door was opened by a girl on roller skates! “I’m Ethel,” she said. “Have you come to play with my brother, Archibald?”

Did the president know about roller-skating inside? Wally wondered.

Ethel skated away. Then, Archibald appeared. He was wearing cowboy clothes. Following him were three dogs, two hens and a badger. Did the president know about this too?

“Wally,” Archibald greeted him. “Come on. My brother Kermit and I are sliding down the back stairs on tin trays.”

“Won’t you be scolded?” Wally gulped.

“Naaah,” said Archibald, pulling Wally along.

The boys scrambled up the stairs. Kermit bumped down first to the bottom. Archibald went next.

“Your turn,” they called to Wally.

Wally’s heart went thud. Finally, he closed his eyes, and down he went. Say, this is fun! he thought.

Soon Archibald tugged at Wally again. This time they climbed to the attic. It was dark, scary and full of junk.

Suddenly Wally heard footsteps and a deep growl. He froze. The growling grew louder. There stood a man with a big barrel chest.

“By Jove! I’ll catch you all!” he bellowed.

“It’s the great bear!” Archibald and Kermit cried.

Shrieks echoed as the bear chased them about. All at once the bear snatched the boys. They tumbled in a heap on the floor, laughing.

“This is Wally,” Archibald said. “I don’t think he’s ever been captured like this before.”

“Is that true, m’boy?” the bear asked.

Wally nodded. Did the president know about this?

The bear glanced at his pocket watch.

“By Jove!” he said. “It’s tea time. Run along to the East Room now.”

By now, Wally was dusty and ruffled, not proper looking at all. But he followed the boys anyway.

Just then a roly-poly boy, named Quentin, ran into the room shouting, “Father!” He ran into the arms of the bear himself!

Wally’s eyes opened wide. The great bear was the president of the United States!

Wally bowed. “I am honored to be captured by the White House bear,” he said.

The president laughed. “Next time you come, don’t bother with fancy duds. A rough rider’s outfit and cowboy boots will do fine.”

When Wally returned home, Mama and Papa asked question after question.

“Next time I won’t need fancy clothes,” Wally said. “Just a cowboy outfit and boots.”

Papa gasped. “Who told you that?”

Wally grinned. “The president of the United States.”

Author’s note: Theodore Roosevelt served two terms from 1901 to 1909. His six children were all energetic and mischievous. The president often played “great bear” with the younger ones.