The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-11-30
Anecdoie Of Jeftersv...

MANY amusing anecdotes are handed
down to us of Thomas Jefferson, and o.
those who were politically opposed tf
him. Here is one werth relating: ai
MIR. Jefferson was in the habit of driy.
ing himself in a gig, when he made q
visit to his cuui::!y.seat, Monticello, al
Charlottesville, Virginia. He preferred
this mode of travelling 70 the stage. coach
and of railways there were none tlleH be.
tween Washington and his rural resi-.
dence. On one of his trips he saw a boy,
poorly ciad, trudging along the road side,
and accostcd him, asking him if he would
like Q ride. The boy promptly and
frankly accepted the invitation, aud soon
charmed his Unknown friend by his in
genious, boyish conversation. After O
time Mr. Jefferson asked his companion
If he had ever heard of Tom Jefferson .
90. yes" was the quick response.
MY dad says he's the biggest rascal ever
lived" A
Nothing daunted by this unexpected
answer, the President continued the con.
yersation; and when in reply to allusions
purposely made to Thomas Jefferson, the
lad would exclAim that "dad said he was
q traitor to his country" he would say,
in expostulation, ooh, perhaps you would
not find him auch n bad fellow, after ALL
When he reached the point where his
companion must leave him, Mr.. Jefferson
said, as the boy lightly leaped to the
ground:
"You can tell your dad you had ride
with Tom Jefferson, and he is not such n
bad fellow" -
"Dogged if dop exclaimed the youth.
Dad would give me the worst licking
had 1a 4 \ /.
with you"
Still amused at the youngsters persist
ence, Mr.. Jefferson said in kindly tone
Now, my little fellow, want you to
come and see me at the White House, in
Washington; and you1l filld that am
not quite as bad as your dad thinks me-"
The boy, with bare acknowledgment
Of the friendly invitation, ran of toward
his home. He was, however. sufficientlv
impressed to tell dad" that he was as'-ed
to 60 and see the President at the White
House, and meant to go.
"NonsenseW saeered the parent ;
when you go there he will ask you VINO
in the world you are."
mo he won't" persisted the lad, "and
I'm going"
He was as good as his word His fall
supplies, homespun suit and a change
OF underclothing, had just been COM
pletcd; and one morning, donning the
new suit and n new shirt, and putting the
remainder of his personal effects in L
handkerchief, he twisted stick through
his baggage, slung it over his shoulder,
and started briskly off to walk to Wash.
ington to see his friend.
In duo time the brave youngstcr
reached the capital city, and inquiripg
the way to the White House, soon found
himself ut the entrance. To the servant,
woo appeared in response to his vigorous
blows on the panel Of the door, ne boldly
demanded to see Tom Jefferson.
"He's at dinner end he's com.nany," re-
piled the attendant, not little aston
i,red Mt the nudacity of the travel-soiled
boy with his bundle.
THAT'S nothing" promptly the advell-
turer answered "he told me to come
here to see him, and i've come and i
amt going off without seeing him either"
There was no choice but to obey, go
the servant went to the dining-room and
told his muster that boy was outside
who said he must see the President, as
he had been told to come. Mr.. Jefferson
at once ordered the intruder to be
brought in; and the shabby youth, with
his bundle still over his shoulder, found
himself in the midst of "state" dinner
party. But nothing daunted by bis
strange position, when the President in
genuine astonishnsent exclaimed, "Who
under the sun are you?" Che youngster
calculated
"NOw, that's just what dad said you'd
say. if came here. Pm Charles Morgan.
and you axed me to come when was lid.
ing with you 'tother day." '''''''
$50 l did" replied the President, his
reco' iection of the incident reviving !;
"and low you are here, sit down with us
and take some dinner"
Another plate wee ordered to be
placed on ::se table and Charles Morgan
took seat with undiminished assurance
among the fine ladies and gentlemen.
MIR. Jefferson directed the dusty bundle
to which the lad clung to the last, to be
taken to o spare bedroom, and an.
nounced his intention of keeping the
owner thereof as his guest. -.
y After q few days, during which the
President had greatly enjoyed the out
spoken frankness and fearless nature Of
the aequaintance picked up by tie way.
side, ne inquired .ofyoung Morganwhat
" "@o "ouiN yOu iihc W Uc Wuen you
are man, my fine fellow ?p he asked. 9G
I'want to be a colonel, }" was the an
sawer,; in which Charley persisted in reply
to the question, whenever put to him,
until one day piayfellow was brought to
him in the shape of young midshipman.
When, after enjoying THE aociety of his
new acquaintance for short time, the
President once more questioned him as
to his wishes in regard to his future, lie
made up his mind with his customary de.
cision that nothing but the navy would
meet his desires.
To his great delight, Mr.. Jefferson told
him his wishes in thisrespect could be
gratified: The sequel to the story is easy
told, The boy entered the navy, and
served his country nobly during the rest
Of his life. And Commodore Morgan. I
am told by those who knew him best, al
ways preserySd the honest simplicity of
character apd fearlessness which so at
tracted Tom" Jefferson when he met
the outspoken Charlie Morgan on the
highway. }atai' g q ls}a M