Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-08-23

49, w ''''''' ~
Ono day when Thomas Jefferson was
riding through Virginia on his way
from Washington to Monticello he came
upon n boy trudging along with his
clothes IN a satchcl. which hung on a
stick from his shoulder. He stopped
the gig and asked the young man If he
did not want TO ride. The youth look
ed ut him moment in n bold way and
finally said yes. lie was motioncd to
get in, and in a moment he was sitting
by the side Of the president, who open
ed the conversation by asking who Inc
was and where he was going. He re.
piled that his name was Morgan and
that he was going home from school,
and continued by putting the same
question to the president, saying: II
beg your pardon, stranger, but what
may your name bcp"
The president replied, my name is
Thomas Jefferson.
The boy looked up astonished and
asked. "Not Thomas jefferson, prcsi-
dent of the United StatesP"
"Yes," replied Jefferson, and as he
did so the boy jumped from the gig
and into the road. saying. II have
heard of you, Tom Jefferson. Ny faith
or says you are a rascal, and wouldn't
he thrash me if he caught me a ridin'
with you? Father knows you, and he
thinks you're the biggest scoundrel in
the country
"No, he DOESN'T replied the prcsi-
dent. 81 know him very well. We
are good friends personally. though
not politically. He won't care if you
ride with me. ! am not bad fellow;
get in Still the young man refused
TO get in. He reiterated the statement
that he believed Jefferson to be ras-
cal. but finally was persuaded, and
again took his seat in the gig.
During the conversation which fol-
lowed Jefferson succeeded in making a
friend of him. and on parting told him
he would give him an office to prove
that he was his friend. "No, you
WON'T said the boy. "You will for
get me-" mo, will not" answered
Jefferson, and with that the two part
cd.
Some months afterward young Nor
gan, becoming disgusted with things
about home, concluded to run off and
60 to Washington after his Office. He
stole off one night with his clothes in
II bundle on a stick over his shoulder,
and walked to Washington. When he
got to the city-it was nothing but
muddy village then--hc was covered
with dust, and his boots were the color
of clay. lie went, however, just as he
was, TO the White House. and finding
the door open walked boldly into a
room where he saw Jefferson writing,
bending over the table. .ie went up
to him, and slapping his hand on his
shoulder, said, "Iicllo, Tom Jefferson;
I've come after that Office"
The president looked up, but he
could not remember the boy. Noting
his amaz"ment young Morgan contin-
ucd: There ! told you you would not
remember me when | came here" JEFF
fcrson replied that his face was famil-
lar; and on Morgan telling who he was,
the president greeted him kindly and
asked him to be seated. He then call
ed the servant and sent the boy to be
brushed up. asking him if he had an
other suit of clothes, to which he re-
piled he had He was then given a
room in the White House, and the
president told him to look about for q
few days and see what kind of an Office
he wanted This young Morgan did.
and at the end of the first day told JET
fcrson he believed he would take n
colonelcy in the army.
President Jefferson laughed. and told
him that the colonels were always old
men. He must take something else.
but not to be in hurry. to look around
and see the city. He then sent a mid
shipman with him to make things
pleasant FOR him, and in day or two
young Morgan decided that he would
rather be midshipman than anything
else. Jefferson at once gave him the
appointment. and he went on ship
Immediately. He made splendid
naval officer, and he died II commo.
dorc.