The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-25
ANECDOTE OF JEFFERSON.
His Introduction to Young Morgan, and the
Office He Gave the Boy.

His Introduction to Young Morgan, and the
Office He Gave the Boy.
"Carp's' Letter in Cleveland Leader.
Colonel Wintersmith, of Kentucky, told the
following good story of Thomas Jefferson, at the
Ebbltt House last night. [ don't think it has
ever been published:
Said he: Zone day when Thomas Jefferson
was riding through Virginia on his way from
Washington to Monticello. he came upon a boy
trudging along with his clothes in a satchel,
which hung on a stick from his shoulder. He
stopped his gig and asked the young man il he
did not want to ride. The youth looked at him
a moment in a bold way, and finally said yes.
He motioned to get in, and in moment he
was sitting by the side of the President, who
opened the conversation by asking him who he
was and where he was going He replied that
his name was Morgan, and that he was going
home from school, and continued by putting the
same questions to the President, saying: Z beg
your pardon, stranger, but what might your
name be-"
1.-THE President replied, My name is Thomas
jefferson.
1.-THE boy looked up astonished, and asked,
Not Tom jefferson, President of the United
Statesg
YES replied jefferson. and as he did So the
boy jumped from the gig and into the road, say
ing i have heard of you. Tom Jefferson. My
father says you are rascal, and wouldn't he
thrash me if he caught me a ridin' with you.
Father knows you, and he thinks you are the
".No, he doesn't replied the President.
know him very we'll. We are good friends, per-
sonally, though not politically. He won't care
if yor ride with me. am not bad fellow; get
in Still the young man refused to get in. He
reiterated the statement that he believed Jeffer
son to be a rascal, but finally was persuaded, and
again took his seat in the gig
During the conversation which followed JEFF
ferson succeeded in making friend of him, and
on parting, told him that if he would come to
Woo ofnv ha xNffso 40
to him that he was his friend. No. you won't
said the boy. You will forget me- No, will
not, answered Jefferson, and with that ths two
parted.
''Some months afterward young Morgan, be
coming disgusted with things about home con-
cluded to run off and go to Washington after his
Office. He stole out one night with his clothes
in a bundle on stick over his shoulder, and
walked to Washington. When he got to the
city-it was nothing but a muddy village then
he was covered with dust, and his boots were
the color of clay. He went, however. just as he
was, up to the White House. and finding the
door open, walked boldly into room where he
saw jefferson writing, bending over table He
went up to him, and laying his hand on his
shoulder, said: Hello, Tom jefferson; I've
come after that offcel'
"The President looked up, but could not re-
member the boy. Noting his amazed look the
young Morgan continued: There, / told you
you would not remember me when came here
jefferson replied that his face was familiar. and
on Morgan telling who ne was the President
greeted him kindly, and asked him to be seated.
He then called servant and sent the boy OF to
be brushed up, asking him if he had another suit
of clothes, to which he replied he had He was
then given room in the White House, and the
President told him to look about for few days
and see what kind Of an office he wanted This
young Morgan did, and at the end of the first
day told Jefferson he believed he would take a
colonelcy in the army.
president Jefferson laughed, and told him
that the colonies we're always old men. He
must take something else, but not to be in q
hurry. to look around and see the city H zen
sent midshipman with him to make ~s
pleasant for him. and in day or two g
Morgan decided that he would rather be a d.
shipman than anything else. jefferson at once
gave him the appointment and he went on a
ship Immediately. He made splendid naval
officer and died commodore