The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-03-14
GRANTS FRIEND.
[Opie P. Read, in Cleveland Sum-

General Grant and 1 parted in 1879 Circumstances over which exercised but a moderate degree of influence caused the separation. l returned to the hum. drum duties of uneventful life; he went north to make his arrangements for presidential campaign. A great banquet was given in honor of the generals visit, and the thoughtful committee on toasts said that must respond tO The Press" was not blind to the distinction which such trust imposed upon me, and.the American desire to cut an oratoiical caper that would impress my friend, the hero of many battles, naturally tilled my soul and expanded my chest. Unfor- tunately, my turn did not come until late hour. Visibly affected, arose and proceeded to talk in hindered and diff ticult manner. lost sight of the gen. eral, and in looking around for him for, got my speech. began over again, and at the proper time pointed to justice of the peace, whom l mistook for the gen. eral, and exclaimed: "There sits the greatest man on the American conti. nens." The justice of the peace flushed, then shook his head, and rem arked that if gave him any more of my sarcasm he would wipe up the banquet hall with me. This caused me to forget my speech and began over again. 1 located the general, but just as intended to refer to him he became two men, exactly alike, and didn't know which one to address Determined not to make a mistake, pointed with both hands and said: Gen erals Grants, you are the greatest men on the American continent and hope you will be elected presidents of the United Ststes."
 Some envious fellow, jealous of the reputation was making, took hold of my arm and said: Come, you have spoken long enough"
 Surely this was an insult, but the pec- pie instead of frowning down upon such an outrage, applauded the insulter. Then of course became angry. My resent n.ent arose like storm that gathers its violence when the sun goes down among the fiery tops of blood-red clouds. ex- pected to see my friends seize the de- spoiler and cast him out into utter darkness, but no one made move in this direction. l looked around and found Generals Grants, but they sat smoking in disregard of my perplexity. The lights began to dance; the hsm of voices sounded as though they were in an adjoining field; and, while the scenes were being shitted-during the pouring out of pitcher full of obscurity-l lost sight of the great military chieftsins. This was certainly veiy strange. l knew that there was much wine in the house, but, looking at my glass always found it empty therefore could not see why my friends should be so deeply agitated. Some one stopped me as was going down stairs and asked me what was my hurry, but not regarding it as any of his business, went on down and found Gen, eral Grant getting into hack.
 General" said l catching hold of his coat, don't be snatched."
 He said that his train was about due.
 "That's all right" dimly remember to have said. "Stay with us while, and we'll make you feel at home. You don't seem to know me as well as you should. l live here, and whenever can do you a favor let me know, will you ?"
 Some one came up and tried to brush me away, but determined to prove that was not affected by sectional prejudice, seized the general and said:
 Whenever you need friend, old fel- low, just call on me. You will fad that there's nothing stuck up about me; don't care how obscure a man may be, if he's the right sort of fellow, I'm with h m. Dent be snatched. Bet your life that I'll stand up to you. Nothing small about me"
 sometimes wor der why he has never called upon me. Strange man, curiously considerate of his friends. was deter mined to make his visit agreeable, and if l should be in his neighborhood and need few dollars to assist in the payment of life insurance assessment would not hesitate to remind him of the fact that was his friend, and that he need not hes -itate to call upon me