The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-03-08
Billed 'em y said old MIR. Grant. great

billed 'em y said old Mr., Grant. great
ly aYitated.
"Yes. billed every, dog gone one of
'em, and the old Deacon's hens may set
on 'em till the cows come home, but they
won't hatch nary chicken"
THE OLD MANS ADMIRATION.
"Come to your daddy" exclaimed his
father with outstretched hands, I'D
rather you would hook and sell a thou
sand billed aigs than have that breed Of
Chinee chickens 20 out vi the Grant
family"
The blushing boy advanced TO his pa
rent, who patled him on the head and
regarded him with good parental pride.
"And SO you billed 'em," the father
said, well, now, l never. Who'd
supposed the boy would have thought
of tlatI Iysses, my son, I'm proud OF
you. You'll BE PRESIDENT or TIE
UNITED STATES YET, if you only keep
on. And you served the old Deacon jest
right. What did you get for the aigs-
Ibilcd?"
Ulysses cast::a suspicious glance at lis
father, which, the latter observing, has
tily added.
The moneys your'n, my son you've
earned il fairly, and you shall have it,
Thus treasured, Ulysses proudly re-
sponded.
of EN-"
"A dollar for half-a-dozen Of 'em =
biled!"
exclaimed the old gentleman greatly cx-
cited. Nou lie,' Lysses, he didn't did
he, thought"
THE OLD MANS INPoLlrEyEss.
"Hc gave me q round silver dollar
for 'em,' answered the truthful boy.
"a round silver dollar" said the old
gentleman with an incredulous air.
= Let me see it, my SON."
Ulysses produced four-bladed knife
from his pocket. and carefully ripping
open the lining to the waist-band of his
trOwsers, brought forth the coin from its
place Of conccalment, where he had in
tended to keep it until the Fourth of
July. The impulse Of patriotism mani
Tested itself in our President at very
early period of his life.
The old gentleman took the dollar in
his hand AMI examined it carefully. AS
he gazed upon it a pleasant expression
'rippied over his features, spreading and
spreading until his whole countenancc
beamed with satisfaction and delight.
and every wrinkle in his venerable Wis
age became an individual smile. Then
with tears Of JOY lie said to the boy:
TIE OLD aAN's HONEST PRIDE
Ulysses, my son, you'v honestly earn
ed this money. There's few boys at yonr
age would have thought or billing the
laigs. The money is yours your own.
Aud for fear that YOU should lose it
will keep it for you."
So saying the old man dropped the
coin in a capacious leather purse, and
placed it in his pocket. lie has been
Keeping that dollar for Ulysses ever
since.
This little story is very interesting,
not only ms showing the extraordinary
foresight Of the elder Grant in predict
ing while Ulysses was yet but child
that he was destined 10 adorn the Presi-
dental chair, but also as illustrating the
great truths that the boy is the father of
the man, ard that as the twig is bent 50
is the tree Inclined.
| MORAL.
If General Grant in his childhood had
met with the misfortune OF having been
trained to reckless indifference TO the
value of money. it is not likely that his
admirers would now bc able to boast
that he is not only the greatest and wis
est, but also the wealthiest President
who has held the reins Of government
since this nation has existed. And this.
too, when only few years ago he was
selling leather in Galcna OH a salary OF
eight hundred dollars year.
If any one doubts the entire authcnti-
city Of this story have permission TO
refer him for confirmation of its truth
Ito my venerable and pious friend. the
scv. lothian Shillett. whose present
post-office address is Sodom, Putnam
county, New York. Yours for Grants
reelection forever, ABNER RUNG.