“Washington.
“Stood trip well, rode horseback 25 miles to 5000 feet altitude. Hope amoebic dysentery cured. Great province this, only 150 miles from Manila with air as bracing as Adirondacks or Murray Bay. Only pines and grass lands. Temperature this hottest month in the Philippines in my cottage porch at three in the afternoon 68. Fires are necessary night and morning.
“Taft.”
As quick as the wires could bring it, he received the following reply:
“Washington, D.C., April 16, 1903.
“Taft,
“Manila.
“Referring to telegram from your office of 15th inst., how is horse?
“Root.”
When he read it his shouts of laughter, rolling over the hills of Baguio, must have been audible half a mile away!