The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-05-27
MRS. GENERAL GRANT.
Something About the Faithful Wife of the
Old Commander.

lCorrespondenee Philadelphia Telegraph
Mrs. Grant has said she was happier in her
simple home in Galens. living on Mr. Grants
salary of $40 a month, than she has ever
been since. How Ike herl Tss modest,
sepsih,a, superior woman, who realizes and
Acknowledges the fact that:
Lowry living and lofty thought
Adorn and ennoble the poor mans cot.
The grand aim of Mrs. Grants life has
been to adapt herself TO her husbands cir
cumstapces, to make the bes. of him and of
them; and who shall say how much General
devotion of his wife2 The man who feels
always that hs is the beloved, trusted and
honored head OF his own ho0sehsld is - for.
tilted by inward peacs for contact with the
outside world that he gees forth hero,
''conqueriDg and to conquer" A true wife
is like the Iivulet at the base or the mighty
os K, and who shall say how much of the
trees greatness, its strength aud glory are
due to the refreshing, invigorating power OF
the little stream, ripping, singing csaselessly
round its roots forever?
Having been delegated by the citizsns of
Oil City 10 receive Mrs. Grant at the Duncan
House, when the Presidential party came
there in 1872, saw her then for the 6rst
time. A quiet, unostentatious woman, at.
tired in sober suit of brown, she came from
the train to the hotel escorted by one her
sons. while the General and his suite went to
the hall pre- pared for their reception. Mrs
Grant IS not pretty, but she has an uncom-
monty sweet expression, which tells the
story of her true end gentle heart As
most of the ladies of the town had
come to call on Mrs. GIANT, / asked
her, after she had sufficiently rested
wheth er it would not be wise to hold q little
informal reception TO accommodate st once
so many OF the LADIES who were anxious to
meet her. With smile OF rare swestness,
=. tai Ill = A..
the people desire to see Mr.. Grant. He has
become historical, you know; buteverywheIe,
so far. they have seemed really to wish to see
me also. a reception? Yes, certainly IL
this travelling dress, after have changed my
collars and cuffs, will do"
Being assured that nothing could be mora
pleasing to the citizens than this simp licity,
she came in few minutes to the public
drawing room on the second floor, aud hav-
ing taken her stand in front OF the msutei,
she stood there for more than two hours
while the ladies were presented, saying to
each one with marvellous grace and tact the
right word in the right place. The unself-
ish tenderly considerate woman could no.
help thinking, as / watched her encoura si0g
the timid and reasoning the bashful with
her gentle. appropriate words, how truly
1.-The law Of kindness vas on her lips"
Later Ike General came in. and, mounting
to the hall on the second floor, remained
standing outside the psIlor door, the crowd
suIging mp and around him The Duncan
House was a tall, rjckety, frame structure,
built high up against the steep hillside be
hind, afflicted with endless steps, and look
ing as if it intended to topple forward soma
day. Along the entire front Of the sec bud
story was 8 wide, IooAess piazzs, which
seemed determined to get away from It's
moorings also. In front OF the hotel, and
stretching away down to the creek,
surged q multitude Of people, heads
up, intent upon seeing General Grant.
Approaching the General, / ventured TO
request that he would go out upon
the poI Oh for minute or two, and show
himself TO the people below, who had been
coming into town from the four points of the
compass ever since daylight to get q glimpse
o. their countrys defender. "Bst can you
not see," he replied, that if go out on that
tumble-down porch the whole crowd will
follow, and we shaIl all go down together"
IF but for one moment, General, to re-
turn before many of the crowd can follow"
lives" Very well, then" he answered,
good humoredly, ~ will go il you will come,
Too" assented, and he went first, not to
stand Just outside of public view like some
body tagging behind, but straight on to the
front, where the intrepid hero stood, hatless,
in the morning sun, for at least five minutes,
while the welkin rang with prolonged cheers
The next time / saw Mrs. Grant was in
Washington. February, 1873. Socially or
on businessY demanded the waiter who
took my card at the White House. 80.
cialIy." And entering the room to the left
of the entrance / sat waiting. In q few min.
utes Mrs. Grant came, and we seated our
selves On sofa near the door. While lis
tening to her low, sweet voice, happening to
glance behind her, / saw pair Of eyes watch.
Ing us through the crack of the door. Draw.
ing her attention imperceptibly to the fact,
she arose Immediately and We walked to the
far window of the room before resuming.
With an expression of genuine distress she
rated her beautiful hands and exclaimed:
ooh, Mrs. c., if we could trust any onsl''
1t was at the time OF the Whisky Ring"
trouble, and Mrs. Grant said that she real.
lied deeply the blessings of living in quiet,
though ever so lowly retirement" She
seemed grieved to think that any OF thu peo-
pie Of this Union, which General Grant
saved, could find in their heart to reflect
upon him. "For my part" she added, II
feel es il l could never be sufficiently proud
Of my hushaI d." "As soldier" l asked.
Eyes, as o soldier and a statesman. When
Mr. Grant took the reins of the republic the
war spirit still existed; not openly, 1t IL
true, but secretly, in the hearts OF the dc.
fssttd. The hnanceE-our whole distracted
country was in state of chaos, and Mr..
Grant gathered up all the loose ends of this
mighty fabric strsying loose, tangled, wide
apart, end Init them all together again into
one harmonious whole, with Gods guidance
and assistance. Bot" she added, changing
the subject suddenly. blushing at her own
enthusiasm, don't let me do all the tslk-
ing"
Soliciting her influence With the General
for the justly merited appointment OF an
other, she said: However much | mighs
wish to help you in this maltsr, l dare not
interfere; but" she continued, you GER
tainly will not 60 away without first seeing
Mr.. Grant" and producing one of her Grads,
she wrote: Dear UlJs:es-I would like you
to see Mrs. CO..
After the call l went mp stairs to the ante
room, and sending in Mrs. Grants card with
mine, was soon requested to follow. There
vas a crowd IN waiting, so we entered the
Presidents apartment two at a time. Feeling
rather djffident fingered to let the gentle
man who was to go in when | did precsde
me. General Grant sat at the head of lo1g
table Uttered with manut cript. alone
and smoking. My companion, tall, pom.
pous man, turned to the right. and walking
up to General Grant shook hands and sat
down beside him. The General drew q chair
for me to his right, removed his cigar from
his mouth, and laying it on thsitable, ex-
cused himself for q moment, while he
turned politely attentive to his other visitor.
There is something so protecting, so respect
ful in General Grants demeanor toward the
seq, that any one would feel at ease with