The Lincoln County herald., 1872-03-14
Ulysses and the Eggs.
AFFECTING INCIDENT IN THE BoYHooD
OF OUR PRESIDENT.

From tho New York Sun.l
Editor Sun Sir-I have recently had
the pleasure Of q visit from Rev. lothian
Shillet, u venerable clergyman Of the
Hard Shell Baptist persuasion, who, IN
tho earlier days Of his ministry, found
his field of labor for long time 10 Cler
mont county, Ohio, where our gifted
President first saw the light Of day.
Mr.. Shilleu was intimately acquainted
with old Mr.. jesse Grant, and tells many
interesting anecdotes of that gentleman
aud his now famous son. One of them
| have thought worth sending to you,
feeling assured it will afford great grati-
fcation to the admirers of the PTesiuent,
as it describes an incident somewhat sim
liar to one which occurred in the boysh
days of the great and good George Wash.
ington.
When Ulysses was small boy his
father became the owner Of o few Shang.
hal fowls, which wero rare curiosity 10
those days. These fowls the old gentle
man took great pride in, and he could
not be prevailed on to sell any Of the
breed, or any Of their eggs, although he
gave away few eggs to one or two Of
his relations, on condition that none Of
the chickens should be permitted to fall
into the hands of any BODY outside of the
family. Old Mr.. Grant always set great
store by his relations-an admirable trait
which his son has inherited if he had
not done so, he would never have allowed
any Of his much -prized Shaghai hens
eggs to leave his possession. But so long
as the breed was kept in the family he
was contentcd.
One afternoon the old gentleman was
seen to leave the village grocery, where
he had been passing lew hours in dis
cussing the questions of The day with his
neighbors, with a troubled aspect Of
countenance. He wagged his head saw
agely as he proceeded toward his home,
and 'mutered indistinctly to himself as
he fastened along with quick and nervous
strides. lie had evidently received in
telligence which had moved him strangely
On his way to his house he stopped anu
cut formidable hickory CAD, about four
feet in leugth, which lie carefully trim
med, after which he proceeded with &C
celebrated speed.
When MIR. Grant arrived at his home
his first inquiry was for Ulysses. Nc
one lad lately seen him, but after some
search the old gentleman found the future
President Of the United States standing
on his head in the corner of a barn. Thi.
was a favorite recreation with Ulysses il
his youthful days he had picked up the
accomplishment at the time that be made
his celebrated visit to the circus. when he
rode the pony. l am informed that he
has often attempted the feat since reach
ing maturity, but generally with very
Indifferent success, He never had any
difficulty in getting his head in the righ
position-the trouble was in elevating hi.
heels.
Upon hearing his fathers footstep.
Ulysses quickly reversed his attitude and
anxlously scrutnized the parental fea-
lures. The old gentleman's face was
flushed, he was breathing quickly, and
the precocious boy at once realized thai
there was music in the air But he
wisely held his tongue. and with cred
table reverence for OLD age, waited fol
his father TO break the silence which
prevailed. The old gentleman advanced
carefully conceaing the hickory gad be
hind his back. and assuming forcec
smile, coaxiugly addressed his SON:
Ulysses, my son, come here; I've 60
a present for you"
Cant see it, Pop; too thin; that
played; I've been there, artlessly re
sponded the boy. and although his eye
twiuklcd on hearing the word present,
he never moved. At the same time
however, his eyes glanced in all direc
tions, as if seeking an opportunity to bolt
But it was Of no use his father hat
him fairly cornered.
The old gentleman, who was alvsys
man Of great sagaclty, at once saw tha
he was master OF the situation, aud tha
further concealment was useless. s.
bringing the CAD into view he drew
caressingly through his fingers, as, will
grim, suspicious smile, which Ulysse
only too we'll knew, he mildly addressed
his offspring:
Ulysses, my son, do you know ho,
Deacon Potter come to have some of M
Chincs chicken aigs ?"
Ulysses hesitated but moment, an
then with quiveripg lips, the noble bo
calculated
Father, it will not pay to tell lie ;
hooked the aigs and sold EN- to the Dsa
con, but" he hurriedly added as 6r
cleaned from the old mans eyes, an
the gad was raised on high, "but l bile
'em!'
Billed emp said old Mr.. Gran,
greatly agitated.
"Yes, billed every dog gone one Of EN-
and the old Dsacon's hens can set on 'eI
ill the cows come homo, but they won
never hatch nary chicken"
"Come to your daddy" exclaimed hi
father with outstretched hands" ~
rather you would hook aud sell thou