The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1876-01-20
An Anecdafe of Jefferson.


Of one of our early Presidents CThom-
rs Jefferson to wiD singular and we'll
authenticated story is told me. Mr..
Jefferson had the habit Of driving him
seis in a gig when he made his visits TO
liis country-sea Monticello, at Charlotte
vile, Va. He preferred this mode OF
travel to the stage coach, and of railways
there were none then between Washing
ton and his rural residence. On one
OF his trips he saw boy poorly clad
trudging along the roadside and accost-
cd him, asking him if he would like
ride The boy promptly and frankly
accented the invitation and soon charm
cd his unknown friend by his ingenious,
boyish conversation. After time Mr..
Jefferson asked his companion if he bad
ever heard of Tom Jefferson "Oh, yes, :"
was the quick response. "My dad
GAYS he's the--rascal ever lived"
Nothing undaunted by this unexpected
candor, the President continued the con-
versaton, and when, in reply to illusions
purposely made to Tom Jefferson, the
lad would exclalm that "dad said he was
traitor to his country" he would say,
in expostulation, "Oh, perhaps you
would not find him such bad fellow
after ALL" When be reached the point
where his companion must leave him
Mr.. Jefferson said, as the boy lcaped
lightly to tho ground, "Iou can tell
your dad you have had a ride with Tom
Jefferson and he is not such bad fell
low" "Durned if do J" exclaimed the
youth. "Dad would give me the worst
licking l ever had If he knew L had
been riding with you" STILL amused at
the youngsters persistence Mr.. Jeffer-
son said in kindly tone: "Now, my
fine little fellow, | want you TO come TO
see me at the White House in Washing
ton, and you'll find I'm not as bad as
your dad thinks me-" The boy, with a
bare acknowledgement Of the friendly
invitation, ran off towards his home. He
was, however, sufficiently impressed to
tell "dad" that he was asked 10 go TO
see the President at the White House,
and meant to go. "Nonsense," sneered
the parent, "when you get there he
he will ask you who the dickens you
are" "No be won't" persisted the lad.
sand I'm agoing." He was as good as
his word. His fall supplies, a homcspun
suit and a change Of undertaking, had
just been completed and one morning,
donning the new suit and a new shirt,
and putting the remainder of his person
al effects up in handkerchief, he twist
cd stick through his baggage, slung il
over his shoulder, and started briskly
off TO walk to Washington TO see his
friend. In due time the brave youngster
reached the capital city, and inquiring
his way to the White House soon found
himself al the entrance. To the servant
who appeared in response TO his vigor-
Gus blogs on the panel of the door he :
boldly demanded 10 see "Tom" Jefier-
son. "He's at dinner and has company"
replied the attendant, not little aston
ished at the audacity of the travel-soIled ,
boy with his bundle. "That's nothing"
promptly the young adventurer acsxer-
cd, "he told me to como here TO sec him
and I've come, and ANITA going off without
seeing him, so nowyou had better go and
tell him I'm here" There was no choice
but to obey, SO the servant went TO the
diningroom and told bis master that a
boy was outside who said he must see
the President, as he had been told TO
cone. Mr.. Jefferson at once ordered
The intruder to be brought in, and tho
shabby youth, with his bundle still over
his shoulder, found himself in the midst
of estate" dinner party. But nothing
daunted by his strange position when
the President in genuine establishment !
exclaimed "Who the devil are your"
the yonngster calculated, "Dern it, that's
Just what what dad said you'd say if
como here. I'm Charles Morgan, and
YOU aXed mo to come when l was rid
ing with you tother day" $50 did"
replied the President, his recollection Of
the incident rcviving, sand ROW you arc
here, sit down with us and take some
dinner" Another plate was ordered 10 a
be placed at tho table, and Charles Nor ;
ran took a seat with undiminished as
suranco among the fine ladies and gen
Mr.. Jefferson directed the dus-
~ bundle, TO which his young friend
had clung to the last, to be taken TO a
spare bedroom and announced his in {
tenuon Of keeping the owner thereof as
q guest. {
After few days, during which tho
President had greatly enjoyed the out
spoken frankness and fearless nature Of c
the acquaintance picked up by the way
side, ho inquired of young Morgan what
he could do for him. "What would you Z
like TO be when you are q man, my fine
fellow?" hc asked 81 want 10 be n
was the answer, in which Char
lie persisted in reply TO the question
whenever put to him, until one day
playfellow was brought TO him in the i,
shape of q young midshipman. When, "
after enjoying tho society of his new ac-
quantance for short time, the Presi-
dent once more questioned him as to his u
wishes in regard TO his future, he had
made up bis mind with his customary Q
decision that nothing but the navy A.
would meet his desires. To his great De
delight Mr.. jefferson told him his wishes II
IN that respect could be gratlfied. The {.
sequel to the story is easily told. The BY
BOY entered the navy and served his II
country nobly during tho remainder of
ais lie. Aud Commodore Morgan,
lm told by those who knew him best, =,
always preserved the honest simplicity