Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-13

A gentleman who lately had an interview
with President Grant, writes to the Ohio State
Journal the fnllnMinr lescrinfinn of il:

On GUItIlUH llG W Hllc uoust Ollt Is Struck
with the eheapness of the building and lack of
decoration. Turning to your left after passing
the outer door you are met by an usher with
"Please step into the reception room-up stairs
first door to your right" In the reception
room you hand your card to a colored usher,
who vanishcs. In a short time "the president
will see Mr.. Pr is called from door at the rear,
and you are Immediately escorted to the office
of the president OF the UnitedaSateS-a room
about forty feet square, with walls and ceiling
fresc0ed in excellent taste; on the left side a
fireplace with dark marble mantel, glass,
nicely mounted clock, etc. In front of you, in
the rear OF the room, two windows with over
looks over the Potomac, showing the green
fields, sparkling water, aud the distant city of
Alexandria, the damask curtains forming a rich
red border to beautiful scene On your right
two or three sofas and some comfortable arm
chairs, trimmed in brown silk, n map stand, etc.
A table covered with blue cloth, surrounded by
eight chairs, finished in brown leather, under a
chandelier in the centre of the room, furnishes
ihe president and cabinet with desk room. AT
the head of the table a medium sized man with
full beard, and dressed in black using com
mon pen and an ordinary glass inkStand, with
much used bOttcr, which rests on Il pile of plain
cards, aud well worn lead pencil.
Good morning, sir, is the Salutation as You
enter-spOken in good, round Saxon as the
president OF the United States rises and extends
his hand. "Be seated" As there are three
Others in the room, the profered seat is taken
and your casual waits his turn. The first visit.
o: walks to the table, takes Il seat TO tho right
Of the president.
al am from ST. Louis, for some time connect
ed with the -- paper, an agricultural paper,
and for many wears identified with the agricu-
tural interests OF the state Of Missouri. Not
being advised as to the method | wrote you
some weeks ago asking an appointment in the
consular service, at point where could gain
some knowledge for the agricultural cause SC.
I ,t;,,
time Of writing"
Eyes; | remember. You are Mr.. p, of st.
LOUIS. | referred them to Governor Fish, and
was much impressed with them. You are rec
commended by Mr.. -, Mr.. -, and Mr.. -"
Eyes, Mr.. President. | would like an appoint
ment in Russia or in the Argentine conicdera-
ton. am used to cattle and the breeding of
them"
The president then entered into a conversation
with him on cattle in general, and showed
thorough knowledge on the subject, much to the
surprise of the applicant, who finally stated that
be was graduate of Dartmouth and not an
Office seeker by profession.
care you acquainted with Governor Fish,"
said the president. "No," (writing on a card. J
"Well, tomorrow being cabinet day, will
speak to Governor Fish about your case You
can see him in the mean time | have said TO
-, who is an applicant for a consulship,' & c.
Take this to Governor Fish, at the state depart
ment"
"When shall call again~
Call tomorrow at p o'clock, after | have
seen Governor Fish. Good morning" And the
Missourian bowed himself out, and the presi-
dent was ready for the next, who came forward
and took the seat just vacated.
He was a negro. His head looked like an en-
larged oven, and rs knotty as a red oak He
was dressed in the shabby-gentee 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, am a native of Westminster,
England, graduate of Cambridge, and bar
rister in the English courts, also shorthand
| reporter. | came TO Halifax, and found but lit
| tie TO do. Came to Boston, staid two years in
| the practice, and found two colored lawyers
| there who were doing the business. As / am
not and could rot become a citizen of the United
States, / was not popular. ] then came to
Washington and obtained employment as a
shorthand reporter with Mr.. Miller on the
GlOOe. Then | worked for Mr.. Sumner, then
for Mr.. Douglass, who publishes paper in the
interest Of the colorvd man, and now am out
of work and destitute. | have heard, sir of
your kindness and charity to the people OF my
race, and | come to Won to see if you could not
suggest something for me-"
eyes, ! have the same interest in your people
that have in other citizens of the United States
Have you been to the Howard university" in
quired the president.
Eyes, sir; but they did nothing for me-"
"Have you been TO see Mr.. CollaX? lie takes
a great interest in your people"
'Yes, sir" replied the colored man, "but he
can do nothing for me"
"Well, what can do"
"You don't seem to understand me, Mr. Presi-
dent. am out OF means, aud you are said to
be very charitable
a am as charitable as can be, said the presi-
dent.
eyes, know you are, and the slightest
pecuniary aid will be of the tgreatest help to
me"
"If were to give to all who ask from me. [
could soon eXpeud a large fortune"
Eyes; but, Mr.. President you don't seem TO
understand the situation. ! am entirely out of
money"
81 generally coniine my charity to such as
| have a family"
"Mr. President, have wife and three inter
csting 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. He
carefully folded the note, brushed his dilapi.
dated beaver with his elbow, put the bill in his
pocket, and made for the door, saying as he de-
parted, with the flourish of Beau Brummell:
chr President, shall never forget your
kindness-never, s'hep me God. Good morn
ing"
houu huN sliJ iut pItSlucnI REMARKED, as
he turned 70 meet the next visitor, who was Il
young boy, with rosy checks and bright eyes.
II have been turned out of West Point, Mr.
President. want to ret back the had failed in
his class eNamination) and came to you to know
what 10 DO. Here are my papers, sir" handing
his credentials and recommendation from MANY
prominent men 10 the president, who read them
aud said, "IOu cannot get back without the
recommendation of the academic board. II
would be a violation of law if you were appoint
ed without it, Then, looking closely al the
boy, you viii yet their recommendation
why then, your congressman can reappoint
you"
II am too Old TO enter on new appointment,
and the congressman from my district wont APP
point me- The one who first appointed me is out,
and new one IS now in"
Very well. You write to the academic
board at West Point, through the post adjutant,
and get their permission to re-enter, asking that
you may 60 into the third class, and TO 30 on
with your studies. If they consent, will APP
point you 10 West Point"
'Will youP said the boy, his face lighting up
like the harvest moon; "what shall wrteH
The president then told him what to write, re-
pealing it. "Wheu you have written the letter,
fetch it 10 me and will revise il and endorse il"
'Wherc shall write tP
'sit here at this table, Or 20 to the next
ROOM"
The boy went out with a quick step and
heart too fun TO speak
The president then turned to your casual and
entered on the business which brought him, in.
cldentally mentioning when aud where we had
met, ana the circumstances, years ago. When
| you consider the number Of persons he meets
ana the hundreds Of faces passing before him
uallyi you are astonsed at the memory this man
| possesses. 1890
"a congressman came and called the attention
VI Tue piesldentto some business connected with
que Vi tne departments, saying he would call
ast,n' lnS president, asking 10 be excused, took
ms NAT auu passed out a side door
AS your casual passed down the wall IN tho
avenue he thought Of the trouble care ana an"
iety this man bad, and how easily and smonthf,,
| he dispatched business--aways the same o,,;c,
and imperturable man, patient and couy,d ip,s'
charming all who approach him with h,s sira'
| plicity Of manners aud kindness
A few moments aitorward, walking into tho
| room Of the head Of one Of the departments
| your casual found the president seated at n
table inquiring searchingly and infinitely 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 doorkeepcr who had served under many adj
mnistrations, remarked. Gen Grant Is the
only president in my time who ever took the
trouble 10 come 10 the department and look into
matters he wished TO have explained While
partisan papers are filled with filthy personal
abuse of this man he Il autotl,s