HISTORY IN THE MAKING 237 



Paris Universal Exposition of 1900. The Commis- 

 sioner-Generalship of the Commission had, however, 

 already been offered to FERD. W. PECK, another Ghi- 

 cagoan, and the President was finding it difficult, for 

 political and geographical reasons, to comply in my 

 case with WILSON'S request. Mr. DUNHAM had spent 

 most of the season in France on business, and when 

 he returned found no end of work demanding his 

 attention at Oaklawn. He happened in "The Gazette" 

 office one day shortly afterward, and inquired if I 

 expected to receive the compliment of the exposition 

 appointment. I told him I did not think it possible 

 under the circumstances, and that I had given up all 

 idea of it. He was silent for a moment, and then 

 asked, "Do you suppose that it would do any good if 

 I were to go to Washington myself?" Grateful, of 

 course, at this manifestation of interest, I replied, "I 

 doubt it, and what is more, I wouldn't think of asking 

 you to do it, for you have only been home a few 

 days." His eyes twinkled those who knew him will 

 know just what I mean by that as he replied: "Well, 

 it's probably hopeless as it stands, isn't it?" I acqui- 

 esced, but added that it was not a matter of any 

 special importance anyhow. "Well," he rejoined, "I 

 am going." And he did. Three days of his own val- 

 uable time were given, and at his own expense he 



