The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1885-08-29
4 STORY OF JEFFERSON.
low Charley Morgan Became a Commo.
0Or0.

low Charley Morgan Became Commo.
Col. Wintersmith, of Kentucky, tells
the following good story of Thomas
Jefferson.
Said he: zone day when Thomas
Jefferson was riding through Virginia,
on his way from Washington to Montl-
cello. he came upon a boy trudging
along with his clothes in sachel, which
hung on stick from his shoulder. He
stopped his gig and asked the youth if
he did not want to ride. The young
man looked at him a moment in bold
way, and finally said yes He was mo-
toned to get in, and in moment he
was sitting by the side of the President,
who opened the conve rsation by asking
him who he was and where he was 60
ing He replied that his name was
Morgan and that he was going home
from.s .hool, and continued by putting
the same. questions to the President,
saying, "l beg your pardon, stranger,
but what might your name be?"
"The President replied, Ny name is
Thomas Jefferson
"The boz looked up astonished, and
asked, Not Tom Jefferson, President
of the United Statcs?'
"'Yes,' replied Jefferson, and as he
did so the boy jumped from the gig and
into the road, saying. L 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 biggest scoundrel in
the country"
"No. he DOESN'T replied the Presi-
dent. l 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
finally was persuaded, and again took
his seat in the gig.
During the conversation which fol-
lowed Jefferson succeeded in making q
friend Of him, and on parting told him
that if he would come to Washington
he would give him an office to prove to
him that he was his friend.
No, YOU won't, said the boy; you
will forget me-
No, will not" answered Jeffer-
son, and with that the two parted.
Some months afterward young Nor
gan, becoming disgusted with things
about home, concluded to run off and
goto Washington after his office. He
stole out one night with his clothes in
q bundle on stick over his shoulder,
and walked to Washington. When he
got to the city-it was nothing but q
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, find
ing the door open, walked boldly into
room where he saw Jefferson writing,
bending over table. He went up to
him, anG, laying his hand ON his Shout
der, said:
Hello, Tom Jefferson, I've come
after that Officer
'The President looked up, but could
not remember the boy. Noting his
amazed look, the young Morgan con-
tinued:
"'There, I told you you would not
remember me when I came here
Jefferson replied that his face was
familiar, and on Morgan telling who he
was the President greeted him kindly
and asked him to be seated. He then
called servant and sent the boy off to
be brushed up, asking him if he had
another suit of clothes, to which he re-
Piled he hai. He was then given a
room in the White House, and the
President told him to look about for
lew days and see what kind of an Office
he wanted. This youns Morgan did.
and at the end of the first day told
Jefferson he believed he would take q
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
sMidshipman 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
olhcer. and he died Commodore"