The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-30
GENERAL GRANTS WIFE.

Something About the Modest and Faithful
Companion of the Old Commander.
Correspondence Philadelphia Telegram.
Mrs. Grant has said she was happier in her
simple home in Galena. living on Mr.. Grants
salary of $40 month, than she has ever been
since. How like her! The modest, sensible,
superior woman, who realizes and acknowledges
the fact that:
Lowly living and lofty thought
Adorn and enoble the poor mans cot.
The grand aim of Mrs. Grants life has been to
adapt herself to her husbands circumstances, to
make the best of him and of them; and who shall
say how much of General Grants greatness is
due to the answering devotion of his wife! The
man who feels always that he is the beloved,
trusted and honored head OF his own household
is 80 fortified by inward peace for contact with
the outside world that he goes forth a hero,
'conquering and to conquer" true wife is
like the rivulet at the base of the mighty oak,
and who shall say how much of the trees great
ness, its strength and glory are due to the re-
freshing, invgorating power of the little stream
ripping, singing ceaselessly round its roots for
everl
Having been delegated by the citizens Of Oil
City to receive Mrs. Grant at the Duncan House.
when the Presidential party came there in 1872
saw her then for the first time. A quiet, un-
ostentatious women, attired in sober suit Oh
brown, she came from the train to the hotel es-
corted by one of her sons while the General and
his suite went to the hall prepared for their re-
an uncommonly sweet expression, which tells
the story of her true and gentle heart. AS most
OF the ladies of the town had come to call on
Mrs. Grant, asked her, after she had sufi-
GENTLY rested whether it would not be wise to
hold little informal reception to accommodate
at once so many Of the ladies who were anxious
to meet her. With smile of rare sweetness
she replied: II am not at all surprised that the
people desire to see Mr. Grant. He has become
historical, you know; but everywhere. so far,
they have seemed really to wish TO see me also
reception? Yes; certainly, if this travelling
dress, after have changed my collar and cuffs,
will do"
Being assured that nothing could be more
pleasing to the citizens than this simplicity, she
came In few minutes to the public drawing
room on the second floor, and having taken her
stand in front of the mantel, she stood there for
more than two hours while the ladies were pre-
sented, saying to each one with marvellous grace
and tact the right word in the right place. The
unselhsh, tenderly considerate woman! could
not help thinking, as watched her encouraging
| the timid and reassuring the bashful with her
gentle appropriate words. how truly the law of
kindness was on her lips"
Later the General came in and, mounting to
the hall on the second floor, remained standing
outside the parlor door, the crowd surging up
and around him. The Duncan House tall
rickety, frame structure, built high up against
the steep hill side behind it, afflicted with end
less steps, and looking if it intended to topple
forward some day. Along the entire
wide, roo6ess piazza, which seemed determined
to get away from its moorings also. In front OF
the hotel, and stretching away down to the
creek surged multitude of people, heads up,
| intent upon seeing General Grant. Approach
ing the General, l ventured to request that ne
would go out upon the porch for n 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
| glimpse of their country's defender. But can
! you not see," he replied, that if go out on
| that tumble-down porch the whole crowd will
follow, and we shall all go down together?"
| IF but for one moment, Generolto return be-
fore many of the crowd can folle--3 urged, 'ft
will be the great event of their lives. ~ Very
well, then" he answered, good -hulnoredly, Il
will go if you will come, too" | assented, and
he went first not to stand just outside of public
view, like somebody tagging behind, but straight
| on 10 the front, where the intrepid hero stood,
hatless, in the morning sun for at least five min
utes, while the welkin rang with prolonged
cheers of the enthusiastic multitude.
| The next time saw Mrs Grant was in Wash
ington, February, 1875. Socially or on bust
| nessl" demanded the waiter who took my card at
the White House. Socially" And entering
the room to the left of the entrance sat wait
ing. In a few minutes Mrs. Grant come, and we
seated ourselves on a sofa near the door. While
listening to her low, sweet voice, happening to
glance behind her, saw pair of eyes watching
us through the crack of the door. Drawing her
attention impreceptibly to the fact, size i'm
mediatey, and we walked to the far window of the
room before resuming. With an expression of
genuine distress she raised her beautiful hands
and exclaimed "Oh Mrs. c., if we could trust
anyone!"
1t was at the time of the whisky ring trouble
and Mrs. Grant said then she realized deeply
the blessings of living in quiet though never so
lowly retirement" She seemed grieved to think
that any of the people, of this Union,
their hearts to reflect upon him." For
my part" she added, II feel as if 1 could
never be sufficiently proud of my husband" ''As
soldier!" asked. Eyes, as a soldier and as a
statesman. When Mr. Grant took the reins of
the Republic the war spirit still existed; not
openly it is true but secretly, in the hearts of
the defeated. The fnances-our whole dis
tracted country was in a state of chaos, and Mr..
Grant gathered up all the loose ends of this
mighty fabric straying loose, tangled wide
apart and knit them all together again in one
harmonious whole, with Gods guidance and
| assistance. But, she added, changing the sub
ject suddenly blushing at her own enthusiasm
don't let me do all the talkingN
Soliciting her influence with the General for
the justly merited appointment of another, she
said However much might wish to help You
in this matter, | dare not interfere; but" she
continued, ''you certainly will not go away with
out first seeing Mr.. Grant," and, producing one
of her. cards, she wrote: Dear Ulysses would
like you to see Mrs. c.
After the call went upstairs to the ante-room
and, sending in Mrs. Grants card with NINE
was soon requested to follow There was a
crowd in waiting, we entered the Presidents
apartment two at time. Feeling rather diff
dent, fingered to let the gentleman who was to
go in when / did precede me- General Grant
| sat at the head of long table, Uttered with
manuscript, alone and smoking. My companion
tall, pompous man, turned to the right, and
walking up to General Grant shook hands and
sat down beside him. The General drew a chair
for me to his right, removed his cigar from his
mouth and laying 1t on the table, excused himself
for moment, while he turned politely attentive
to his other visitor There is something so pro-
tecting, SO respectful in General Grants de
meanor toward the sex that any one would feel
at ease with him. General" said my visa Wis,
in grandiloquent tone, II merely called to see
you. i have no favors to ask. / need none. /
come from the neighborhood of your old homen
''Ah," said the General, there have been Sc
rious floods in that region
a"True 7 am now Ooipo IN tho South ON h,1c;