BANQUET. 265 



The Toastmaster: — The first toast always at our banquet is — "The President of the 

 United States." 



The entire company drank the toast "To the President of the United States" and 

 joined in singing "The Star Spangled Banner." 



The Toastmaster: — The next toast on our program is "Our Army." Col. Samuel 

 Huff, of the U. S. Army, was to have responded to this toast, but he was called to Wash- 

 ington last night, word of which I received this morning, and one of the impertinent things 

 I have done is to solicit a man, unprepared, without notice, to respond to this toast. When 

 I introduce to you the speaker, you will realize that I was justified. It gives me great 

 pleasure to present to you Judge Joseph Buffington, of Pittsburgh. 



