Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-02
Julia Dent Grant.


small, dilapidated house was found, and
few odd bits of furniture were gathered, and
Mrs Grant began in a small way to keep
house, hoping the general might enjoy much
needed rest. In few days an order came
from President Lincoln, directing Grant to
repair at once to Richmond. Some women
would have craved time to make ready; not
so our heroic lady; and directly her trunks
were packed, and as they started she re
marked to friend, "I knew the gend {
would have to take Richmond; and he VI
do it," No sooner was town taken and tfN
news had reached Mrs. Grant in her retreat
than she would appeal to the staff ofiicers-o
procure some mode of conveyance; and
without needing their warnings of possible
danger, this intrepid woman would press
| forward; and ere her husband could be
aware of her presence, the officers were al
ready in quest Of lodgings for his wife and
children. But though endowed with such
fortitude and self-poise, Mrs. Grant was un-
failingly gentle and unobtrusive and lady
like. The staff officers, into whose compan-
ionship she was constantly thrown, ever re-
member her kindness and benevolence with
the warmest respect and admiration.
| The war being over, Mrs. Grant was graf
| flied when the general was made commander
l
his services. But to see him president she
had no ambition. When the nations choice
was known, however, she said, " Though it
is contrary to my wishes, yet mean to do
all the good | can"
She was not consequential, neither did
she boast of her ancestry. She was gentle,
unassuming, kind-hearted woman. De
fective eyesight rendered it difficult for her
to recognize even her own children. 1t
raised at least thin veil, slight obstruc-
ton to making new friends. At times she
was the subject of playful jokes For in
stance gentleman passing along in the
procession on reception day tarried mo-
ment to talk with the lady receiving and
she asked how long he had been in the city.
After a little chatting, he told her his name
was Bristow-a member of the cabinet who
daily called.
But this infrmity was no joke to Mrs
Grant. 1t made her look and feel awkward
and it caused in one way and another an un
reasoning prejudice against the mistress Of
the White House. Stories of lack of affa
bility were set ahoat, and taken up by per
sons who would not usually do so vulgar
! and cruel thing as to deride an infirmity
} Possibly the frequent ungracious comments
all of which she keenly felt, may have chilled
| utI Truly Sculdl udtuic, vi. dt lcdSJ, nave III
duood cautions reserve toward strangers
: Her good sense was seen In her patienc,
under the goading of sharp pens, whetted
, beyond question, by partisan rancor. Ii
reference to this, no resentful words eve
reached the public ear. She maintained
uniform silence respecting her husband
r concerns. Though she kept herself in
, formed of passing political events, yet sh'
/. never intermeddled in state affairs.
5 To do good was with her not spasmodi'
a impulse--it was her daily employ. Sh'
searched out" misery, and in a practica
a way set about relieving the same. None.
: she bestowed with discrimination, yet will
: a liberal hand. What she gave away il
T. charity, if laid by in parsimonious economy
J., would have swelled to handsome bank &C
: count. An intimate friend of Mrs. Gran
t said of her. " never yet met her that sh
}, had not some unfortunate person on he
mind who must be helped; some poor gil
e who must have employment, or some wido,
and children who must have lift An
s yet so quiet was her method of benevolenc
S that it was not generally known"
r After Mrs. Grant rose to height tina
would have dazed woman Of less sens
g and stability, lady called early one morr
|, ing, desiring to see the president; and a
the door stood gentleman, and as the tw
r sent in their cards plain-looking man, VIII
n stood waiting, sent bit of paper on whic
g he had written, "One of your soldiers.
i" Soon the voice of Mrs. Grant was heard
recting the servant; Request the lady
e be seated in the parlor, show the gentlema
into the office, and invite the soldier to com
o right up and see the president" So long @
l, the family remained in Washington, Mr.
% Grant never failed to 60 on decoration da
provided with an ample supply of flower
J. which with her own hands and Nellie's a
It sistance she tenderly strewed over the asht
d of our fallen braves. The few old servant
le remaining in the white house fondly cheris
It the memory of Mrs. Grant and the hapr
days they enjoyed while under her employ
Mrs. Grants education was fully up to ii
standard of the time in Missouri, where 81
was reared. Her father was Methodi
re preacher in good circumstances residing c
,e farm. Mrs. Grant herself made no pr
IS tensions to being intellectual. Her tran
,e parent simplicity, as seen in her absolu
es unchangeableness, is phenomenal.
n, At one time, many years since, so it
er stated, the fortunes of the Grant family we
n at low ebb, and Mrs. Dent, Mrs. Grant
IN mother, a devout Methodist, doubtless ha
", ing some solicitude, dreamed dream fro
y, which she derived much consolation. 1t WI
ne revealed to her, so it seemed, that Lieutenal
IN Grant was to become highly useful, and tn
Us he was to be honored as no man had befo
. (; been Washington Correspondent
ry Syracuse Journal.