The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-04

BOY LaaL DaIeu HUI = uAA u AtCs
To the Editor of the Ne,o York: Sun:
SIR-I have recently had the pleasure of a
visit from the Rev. lothian ShIllet, q vener-
able clergyman of the Hardshell Baptist per-
suason, who, In the earlier days Of his minis
try, found bis field of labor for q long time in
Clermont County, Ohio, where our gifted
President first 81 " the light OF day.
Mr.. Shillet was intimately acquainted with
old Mr.. Jesse Grant, and tells many interest
ing anecdotes of that gentleman and bis now
famous son. One of them I have thought
worth sending to you, feeling assured It will
afford great qualification 10 the admirers Of
the President. as it describes an incident
somewhat similar to one which occurred in
the boyish days Of the great and good George
Washington.
THE OLD MANS SHANGHAI FOWLS.
When Ulysses was small boy his father be-
came the owner Of few Shanghai fowls,
which were O rare curiosity In those days.
These fowls the old gentleman took great
pride In. and he could not be prevailed on to
sell any of the breed, or any of their eggs, al
| though he gave away few eggs, to one or
the chickens should be permitted to fall into
the hands of anybody outside OF the family.
Old Mr.. Grant always SET great store by bis
relations-an admirable trait which his son
has inherited; If he had not done go, he would
never have allowed an! Of his much-prized
Shanghai hens eggs to have his possession.
But so long as the breed was kept In the
family he was contented.
THE OLD MANS TROUBLED coUNrENASoE.
One afternoon the old gentleman was seen
to leave the village grocery, where ne had
/ Farfy in oot hn
questions of the day with bis neighbors, with a
troubled aspect of countenance. He wagge,:
4 his head sayagely as he proceeded toward
bis heue, and muttered indistinctly to himself
as he hastened along with quick and nervous
strides. He had. evidently received intelli-
gence which had moved him strangely. On
his way to his house he stopped and cut for
midable hickory CAD, about four feetin length,
which he carefully trimmed, after which he
proceeded with accelerated speed.
TIE BoY's FAvoRlTE RECREATION.
When Mr.. Grant arrived at home, bis first
inquiry was for Ulysses No one had lately
| seen bin, bnt after some search the old gen.
ltleman found the future President Of the uni
ted States standing on h's head In the corner
of barn. This was faYorite recreation with
| Ulysses in his youthful days; he bad picked up
| the accomplishment at the Time that he made
his celebrated visit to the circus, when he
| rode the pony. I am Informed that he has
often attempted the feat since reaching ma
turIty, but generally with Indifferent success.
| He never had any difficulty In getting his head
In the right position-the trouble was IN eleVa-
| ting his heels.
THE RETICENCE OF THE BOY.
Upon hearing his fathers footsteps Ulysses
quickly reversed his attitude and an6iously
| scrutinized the parental features. Tbe old
geptleman's face was fushed, he was breath.
/ r. sha hnr at nm
realized that there was music in the air. But
| he wisely held his tongue, and, with credita~
BILE reverence for old age waited for bis father
| to break the silence which prevailed. The
old gentleman advanced, carefully c0ncealiRg
the hickory CAD behind hs back ,and assuming
forced smile, c6axhgE addressed his SON:
THE OLD MANS INVITATION.
"'Bysses, my son, come here; I've got a
| nice present for YQp.mn--&
"Can't see It; pop; too min; mats nat a played; yea
| and although his eyes had twlnkled on hear
log the word ''present," be never moved. At
| the same time, however, his eyes glanced In
| all directions, as If seeking an opportunity to
bolt. But 1t was of no usei his father had him
fairly cornered.
The old gentleman, who was always o man
| of great sagacity. at once saw that he was
master of the situation, and that further
concealment was useless. 30 bringing the
gsd into view he drew 1t caresslngly through
| bis fingers, as with grim, suspicious smile,
which Ulysses only too well knew, he mildly
addressed his offspring:
| THE BOYS NERVOUSNESS.
Ulysses, my son, do you know how Deacon
Potter come to have some OF my Chlnee
chicken aigs ~
Ulysses hesltated but moment, and then,
with quivering lips, the noble boy calculated:
.Fsther, 1t will not nay to tell q lie;
hooked the aigs and sold 'em to the deacon,
| buln-he hurrIedly added as fire cleaned from
| the old mans eyes, and the CAD was raised on
| hIgh-ssbut billed em ~
HBlled 'em ," said old Mr.. Grant, greatly
agllated; oe,,., ,,a
the old deacou's hens can set on EN- Till the
COWS come home, but they won't never hatch
nary chicken"
: TIE OLD MANS ADMIRATION.
"Come to your daddy exclaimed bis father
with outstretched arms. ''Pd rather you
would hook and sell thousand beed aigs
than have that breed of Chinee chickens 90
/ out of the Grant family"
The Flushing boy advanced to his parent,
who patted him on the head and regarded MIN
With good parental pride.
"A6d so YOU billed 'em ~ the father said.
"Well. now never Who'd q supposed the
bow would have thonght of that? Lysses,
nv my son, I'm proud Of you. you'll be Presi-
dent Of the United States get, If you only keep
on. And you served the old deacon Jest right.
What did you get for the aigs-biled :"
father. which the latter observing, hastily
added:
"The moneys your'n, my son; you've earned
| 1t fairly, and you shall have IT."
Thus reassnred, Ulysses proudly responded:
"He gave me a dollar for half dozen Of
| 'em."
IA dollar for half-a-dozen OF 'em-oiled !"
| aYcIoi mod tbe old gentleman, greatly excited.
~You lie, ,Lysses, be didn't; did he though ;"
THE OLD MANS IHPoL1TENEss
"He gave me round silver dollar tor 'em,"