The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-04-14
The widow Cliquet.
AN ACCOUNT OF HKR INTERVIEW WITH tn
PREsIDENf.

Washington oorespsndeucel
This charming woman has afforded the lobby 9
good deal of amusement by trying her hand on
Gen. Grant. She sent in her card. and. to see
that 1t was properly delivered, followed close
upon the heels of the servant. The president
took the card and stared at its owner.
:" That is my card the widow said; !" and Il
you'll please TO look at it, you will see that my
name is Cliquct; and IL you'll please 10 recol
lect, you will know that l am the relict of the
gallant Major Cliquot, who died in the service OF
his country. In him, Mr.. President, ] lost a
loving husband and the country gallant de-
fender" a.I III -
At this point the widows voice trembled, and
she buried her fair face 10 her handkerchief. Az
the gallant major ded CALAMITY of an overdose oil
bad whisky. in the quartermaster's department,
the grief might be considered excessive. Be that
% IL may, when the widow looked up she saw the
president calmly firing another cigar from the
stump Of the one he had just finished. Restrain.
ing her indignation, she continued:
"You probably knew my dear lsmented"
Think did," was the laconic response.
Then you will probably wish TO grant 8 favor
to bis poor widow,n and Mrs. Cliquot threw into
her fair face its most fascinating expression.
Cant say" replied the chief magistrate.
al ask nothing for myself, Mr.. President.
am above that sort Of thing. Nor am animated
by any other motive than one Of friendship and
patriotism. You know Gen. Pumphandle? he
holds the office Of -, in -. He is q
his ID toned, honest gentleman; everybody is de-
lighted with him as an Office holder, except the
rcgues he won't permit to steal. Now, Mr..
President. If understand your honest nature,
and che grand sssis.s you sntertain. Gen. Pump.
handle is just your man. said TO him-only las'
night I said: General the president has q noble
nature--he will not listen to these designing men
who want to throw you out because you are
honest"
AZ she uttered the last few sentences, the widow
lloked in the most fascinating way at the presi
a. IL g. H. -.
dropped her plump. PUPPY little hand on his. The
president did not move, or vince, or blush he
merely drew out bis handkerchief and blew bis
nose. Then quietly rising, he began walking up
aud down the room, smoking ell the time. The
widow rose, too, and promenaded with him.
"Now, Mr.. President, my friend, Gen. Pump
handle ;" she continued, SIS q soldier, like your.
SELF He wanted TO resign. But said no. Re.
sgD,' SAID to him, resign, and you give coloriug
TO these false accusations. Let me go TO General
Grant. He is soldier. like yourself. / will ap.
peal to his brave generous soul. There, win tell
him, Ia your opponent; in these dark insinustions
he hasn't foot to stand on -
" Has one,n interrupted the president, between
pufis; "lost the other before Richmond"
" That 10 true and grateful country will honor
him. But was it more than Gen. Pun hsndle did
he offered his life and now, by depriving him OF
Office with these charges hanging over him, you
take from him his good character. WHAT'S more
dear 10 q true soldier than his character? Pump
handle sdmires you, Mr.. President may say, he
sdores you. Bot for the rheumatism in his back
be would have siumped the State for you. Wher
Johrscn's hrelings came to him to contribute to
Seymour's election, he said, No! Never
They might take from him his Office; they might
persecute and abuse, but General Grant he
would support IL II cost his life. he said
the noble, wise, prudent Grant will save the coun
try'-
At this moment the servant gave the president
q card.
"Show them in" he said, and the widow was
forced to take her leave.
Stupid brute, ;" soliloquized the widow.
Damned old cat" muttered the president.