The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-03-09

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are celebrating the Fourth b here is old
Hannibal at his customary occupation
He writes his name on every old envelope,
newspaper, or scrap. of paper that he can
| find, and puts them all in the big mail box
in the hall. Ofcourse, like the contribu-
tions of the resc of the inmates, they never
go any further than my office But he
doesn't know it, and he placidly keeps n
writing franks. The only thing that ever
exasperates him is the sight of q. ;possogc
stamp. 1 suppose he will write franks till
the Day of Judgment. Such," added the
General, didactically, "is the force of habit"
"You must find curious collection of
epistles in your mail box, General?"
Rather We have good reading room
connected with the institution. ST. and most Of
affairs. Many of them fancy that they arc
still Influential in shaping political events.
They write innumerablc letters which no.
body ever reads but myself Not long ago
l found a letter from Blaine, addressed to
the Pope. asking for the Vatican influence
to help him along i'll the Presidential cam
paign of 81 You would have laughed at
the pitcous appeal which Schuyler Colfax
once mailed to President Tildcn. lie wan
ted the Post Office at South Bend, and said
he could produce certificates OF good moral
character Only yesterday | found this
brief letter in the box. You may value it
rs an autograph"
The General had been fumbing in his
pocket book and hc handed me the follow
ing note, which | have preserved
The RETREAT, JULY 3, 1880.
DEAR SYLrm: Although writing comes hard,
thought l would send you single line. Twill
fight it out on this line if it takes all sumner.
may have made escapes, but my worst enemy
cannot say that 1 ever let any guilty man mis-
take. U. :. GRANT
"What ~ l exclaimed "is lie here ?"
"Yes," said our guide. 1--WE employ
him about the stables, and he seems tolera-
bly, happy. If you give him cigar when
you pass there, he will be affected to tears"
The majority Of the inmates had assem-
blcd in the large courtyard of the asylum,
around which was high brick wall patroll.
cd by keepers. The recurrence of the ma
tional anniversary seemed to excite consid-
erablc enthusiasm. | recognized many
faces once tar,ilar, but now almost forgot
ten The assortment of dccaycd politicians
included representatives of every political
caste from the ex-senator or the ex-Gov-
crhor to the playcd-out ward striker. l re-
marked the peculiar satisfaction with which
Gen. Butler pointed out Blaine Apart
from all the others sat Morton of Indiana,
gloomy aud morosa, his chin resting upon
the handle of crutch. | started to APP
proach him, having known him in other
days.
You'd better not" said the Supcrintcu-
dent, catching my intcntion and my armc
at the same instant.
"Why not ?"
"Iou'd better not, that's all, said Gen.
Butler, Significantly and just then Morton
looked up from his crutch, and scowled
across the courtyard at John Sherman,
with an expression in his face which con
vinccd me that the Superintendent was
right.
The Inmates had hoisted flag in honor
Of the day, and were making speeches.
regret that | am not able to report their re-
marks, which were full of patriotic scnt-
mcnt. | was particularly impressed with
the eloquent words of old Subsidy Pomcroy,
who wept as he pointed to the flag and
moved the following resolutions, which
we're seconded by Schuyler Coax and
passed unanimously
RsSolrcd, That the inmates of this Retreat
point with pride to the record of their services
in the PAST and pledge their unwaverng support
in the future to the Government Of this grand
Republic
Resolrcd, That the purity of our institutions
must be maintained at all hazards.
ResoiUed, That n committee of three be ap
pointed to lay these resolutions before Gen.
Butler, and to ask at the same time that
there be plums in the duff on the occasion of
this anniversary of our national independence.
In the cheering which followed the read
ing Of these resolutions, one old man
nearly as old US the ccntcnarian whom |
had seen insde-swung his cap tccbly, and
shouted in tremulous voice: "Plum
duff! Plum duff! If any snipc attempts
to haul down that flag, shoot him on the
wing?'
Gen. Butler gave ne Il meaning look,
and tapped his forehead without making
any remark. As we passed out of the
courtyard into the dormitory building. we
came across Il solitary Inmate sitting upon
IL bench. He held book in his hand, aud
was repeating over and over these words:
"a verb must agree with its nominative
in number and person. \ verb must agree
with its"
When the studious Inmate saw us, he
looked up eagerly, and said :"Will you
hear me now in verbs, General ?"
Come. Logan replied the Superintcn-
dent, ''pat up your book and 80 out with
the others It's holiday. I'll hear you
Tomorrow
'lle has an idca," said Butler, as the
dusky sssdent moved reluctantly away,
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