Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-07-13

YOUTHFUL pREooo1TY OF GRANT.

The New York Sun of Feb. q gives an
interesting aud affecting account of IN
incident in the early life of Ulysses. The
Rev. lothian Shillet, remarkable Hard.
Shell Baptist preacher, formerly of Cler.
mont, Ohio, furnished Mr.. Abner Buug,
the Sun correspondent, with the informa-
ton. When Lysses was boy, his pap
Jesse, procured some valuable Shanghai
chickens which were great curiosity in
those days, and the old man could moi
be prevailed on to part with any of the
eggs. One afternoon the old man was
seen to leave the village for home, with
troubled aspect of countcnance. lie
stopped on the way, cut hickory sprout,
and on his arrival home. made vigorous
inquiries for 'Lysscs. lie found him stand
ing on his head in the corner of tie barn
an accomplishment he never acquired to
perfection. He found no difficulty in get.
ting his head Oh the ground, but to sue.
ceeded in elcvating his heels to perpen.
dicular position was an imposSibili,y. The
old mau began: 'Lysses, my son, do you
know how Deacon Potter came to have
some OF my Chincc chicken eggs?
Ulysses responded that he could not tell
a lie, he stole the eggs. sold them, but hur.
riedIy added, g billed them, Dad, l billed
them"
"Comc to your daddy" exclaimed his
father with outs,retchcd hands, I'D rather
you would hook and sell thousand billed
aigs than have that breed of Chnec chick
ems 20 out Of the Grant family"
The bIushing boy advanced to his par
cn,, who pa,ted him on the head and re-
garded him with great parental pride
"And so you billed en-" the father said
We'll, now. never! Who'd supposed
the boy would have i!ought Of that 'Lys.
scs my son, I'm proud of you. You'll be
President of the United States yet, it you
only keep on. And you served the old
Deacon right. What did you get for the
aigs-tilcl 2"
Ulysses cast a suspicious glance at his
father, which the latter observing, hastily
added:
The moneys your'n, my son you've
earned it fairly, and you shall have it. u
Thus rcassured, Ulysses proudly re.
spoudel.
g" lie gave me dollar for half dozen
of en-"
A dollar for half-a-dozcn of EN-
blcl?" exclaimed the old gentleman
greatly excited. You lie, ,Lysses, he
didn't; did he thought"
lie gave mo round silver dollar for
en-" answered the truthful boy.
a round dollar" said the old gentle
man 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 wastband of his trowsers,
brought forth the coin from its place OF
concealment, where he intended to keep it
until the Fourth of July. The impulse OF
patriotism manifested itself in our Pres
dent at a very early period of his life.
The old gentleman took the dollar in his
hand and examined it carefully. As he
gazed upon it pleasant expression rippled
over his features, spreading and spreading
until his whole countcnance beamed with
satisfaction aud delight, and every wrinkle
in his venerable visagc became an individ,
ual smile. Then with tears of joy and
pride streaming from his eyes he said to
The hoy:
Ulysses, my son, you've honestly earned
this money. There's few buys at your age
would have thought Of billing the aigs.
The money is yours-y"ur own. And for
fear that you should lose it l will keep it
for you"
So saying the old man dropped the coin
in capacious leather purse, and placed it
in his pocket. lie has been keeping tha,
dollar for Ulysses ever since.
This little story is very interesting not
only as showing the extraordinary foresight
of the elder Grant in predicting while
Ulysses was yet but child that he was
destined to adorn the Presidential chair.
but also as illustrating the great truths that
the boy is the father Of the man, and that
as the twig is bent SO is the tree inclined.
II Gen. Grant in his childhood had met
with the misfortune Of having been trained
to a reckless Indifference to the value Of
money, it is not likely that his admirers
would now be able to boast that he is not
only the grc,test and wisest, but also the
wealthiest President who has held the
reins Of government since this nation has
existed. Aud this, too when only few
years ago be was selling leather in Galena
on salary $500 year.
If any one doubts the entire authentic.
ity Of this story l have permission to refer
him for confirmation of its truth to my
venerable aud pious friend. the Rev. J"th-
am Shillet, whose present Postoficc address
is Sndom. Putnam county. N. Y. Yours
for Grants reelection forever.
ABNER BUNG.
F-A uounO Centleman asked one of