Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-07-27

"Call tomorrow at two and halfo'-
clock, after have seen Governor Fish,
Good morning. And the Missourian
bowed himself out, and the President was
ready for the next. who came forward and
took the seatiust vacated.
He was negro. His head looked like
an enlarged oven, and as knotty as rcd
oak. He was dressed in the shabby-gen-
teel manner, with flaming red necktie.-
The President gave him long, searching
look, and saw what he was, then settled
himself back in his chair for siege.
"Mr. President, l am native Of West
minister, England, a graduate of Cam
bridge, and a barristcr in the English
courts, also a shorthand reporter. | came
to Halifax, and found but little TO do
Came to Boston, staid two years in the
practice, and found two colored lawyers
there who were doing good business.
AS am and could not become q citizen
of the United States, was not popular. 1
then came to Washington and obtained
employment as q shorthand reporter with
Mr.. Miller on the Globe. Then | worked
for Mr.. Sumner, then for Mr.. Douglas,
who published paper i'll the interest OF
the colored man; and now l am out of
work and destitutel have heard, sir, of
your kindness and charity to the people of
my race, and l come to you to see if you
could not do something for me-"
"Yes, / have the same interest in your
people that | have in other citizens of the
United States. Have you been to the How
ard University :" Inquired the presi-
dent.
"Yes, sir, but they did nothing for me.n
"Have you been TO see Mr.. Colfax? lie
takes great interest in your pepole."
Yes, sir, "replied the colored man, ''but
he can do nothing for mc.''
"Well, what can | do ?''
"You don't seem to understand me, Mr..
President. l am out of means, and you
are said to be very charitable"
Il am as charitable as can be, said
the President.
"Yes, l know you arc, and the slightest
pecuniary aid will be of the greatest help
TO me.r
"If were to give to all who ask from
me, ] could soon expend a large fortune"
Yes, but Mr.. President, you don't
seem to understand the situation. l am
entirely out of money"
II generally conlinc my charity to such
as have family.''
Mr. President, have a wife and three
interesting children"
Met at every point. the President drew
his pocket book and gave the fellow a
greenback, and then the colored gentleman
for The first time took his eyes from the
Presidents face. lie carefully folded the
note, brushed his dilapidated beaver with
his elbow put the bill in his pocket, and
made for the door, saying as he departed,
with the flourish of Beau Baummell {:
.'Mr. President, shall never forget your
kindness-never, s'hclp me, God. Good
morning.
Good day, sir, the President remark
ed, as he turned to meet the next visitor,
who was young boy, with rosy cheeks
and bright eyes.
81 have been turned out of West Point,
Mr.. President. l want to get back, (hc
had failed in his class examination and
came to you to know what to do. Here
are my papers," handing his credentials
and recommendation from many promin-
ent men to the President, who read them
and said
commentator of the Academic board. it
would be violation of law ifyou were
: appointed without it," Then looking close
ly at the boy, ''if you will get their recon-
mendation-why,t then, your Congressman
can reappont you"
II am too old to enter upon a new ap-
pointment, and the Congressman from my
district won't appoint me. The one who
first appointed me is out and a new one is
now in.r
"Very well. You write to the Academ-
ic board at West Point, through the Post
Adjutant and get their permission to re-
enter, asking that you may go into the
third class and to 90 on with your studies.
l will appoint you to West Point"
evil your" said the boy, his face light
ing up like the harvest moon, when shall
| write?n
The President then told him what to
write, repeating it. "When you have writ
ten the letter fetch it to me and | will re-
wise it and endorse it,"
"Where shall | write it?n
''Sit here at this table, or go to the next
room"
The boy went out with quick step and
n heart too full for uttcrance.
The President then turned to your cas-
ual and entered on the business which
brought him, incidentally mentioning when
and where we had met, and the circum-
stances, years ago. When you consider the
number of persons lie meets, and the hun
dred of faces passing before him daily, you
are astonished at the memory this man pos
) sesses.
A Congressman came and called the at
tcntion of the President to some business
connected with one Of the departments,
saying he would call again. The Pres-
dent, asking to be excused, took his hat
and passed out a side door.
y few moments aftermard, walking into
the room of the head of one of the depart
ments, your casual found the President
seated at table inquiring searchingly and
minutely into the matter about which the
Congressman had called. When he was
thoroughly informed he took his leave. AS
he was leaving the building, the door
keeper, who has served under many ad-
ministrations, remarked: General Grant
is the only President in my time who ever
took the trouble to come to the department
and look into matters he wished to have eX-
planned"
A STOLEN kiss saved girls life in Fond