The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-22

Something About the Faithful Wife of the
Old Commander.

simple home in Gsens, living on Mr. Grants
salary OF $40 month, than she hes ever
sensible. superior woman, who realizes AID
Acknowledges the fact that:
Lowly living and lofty thought
Adorn and enn0ble the poor mans cot
The grand aim of Mrs. Grants life has
been to adapt herself to her husbands CIR.
cumstancss, TO make the best o. him and OF
them; aud who shall say how mucn General
Grants greatness is due TO the answering
devotion of his wife? The man who feels
always that he is the beloved, trusted and
honcred head Of his own household is % for.
tilted by inward peace for contact with the
outside world that he gees forth hero,
'.conquering and 70 conquer" 4 true wife
is like the rivulet ct the base or the mighty
oak, and who shall say how much of the
trees greatness its strength and glory are
due 10 the refreshing, invigorating power OF
the little stream, ripping, singing csaselessly
round its roots forever?
having been delegated by tbs 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 first
time. A quiet, unostentatious woman, ct.
tired in q sober suit of brown, she caEe from
the train to the hotel escorted by one her
sons, while the General and his suite went to
the hall prepared for their reception. Mrs.
Grant is not pretty, but she has en- unc5m-
monty 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. GIANT, 1 asked
her, after she had sufficiently rested
whett er it would not be wise to hold little
informal reception to accommodate at once
so many of the ladies who were anxious to
meet Der. With smile OF rare sweetness,
she replied: Il am not at all surprised that
the people desire 10 see Mr.. Grant. he has
l~po Int
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 cuf1s, 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 hay
ing taken her stand in front of the mantel,
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, teDderiy coDsiderate woman could not
help thinking, as l watched her encouIa sing
the timid and resssGring the bashful with
Der gentle. appropriate words, how truly
The law of kindness was on her liDs."
Later the General came 10. and, mounting
TO the hall on the second floor, remained
stan ding outside the psrlor door, the crowd
eurgine up ard around him. The Duncan
house was tail, rickety frame structure,
built high up against the steep hillside be-
hind, afflicted with endless steps, and look
ing as if it intended to t)pple forward s1me
day. Alo1g the entir front of the sec md
story was wide, 70 lfess piazza, which
seemed determined to get away from its
mooriDgs also. II front of the hotel, and
stretching away down to the creek,
surged multitude of people, heads
up, intent upon seeing General Grant.
Approaching the Gen sral, / ventured 70
request that he would 90 out upon
the poi ch for minute or two. and show
himself to the people below, who had bseu
coming into town from the four points OF the
compass ever since daylight to get a glimpse
OF their countrys defender. "BGt can you
not see" be replied that if 60 out on that
tumble-down porch tue whole crowd will
follow, aud We sl.eu all 90 down together"
III but for one moment, General to re-
turn before many of the crowd can follow"
| urged, 1T will be the great event of THAR
lives" Very WE'LL then" he aus severed,
gcod humoredly, II will 60 IL you will coma.
too" sssented, and be went first, not to
stand just outside OF public view, like some
boGy Logging behind, but straight on to the
front, where the intrepid hero stood, hatless.
in the morning sun, for at least i've minutes
while the welkin rang with prolonged cheers
OF the enthusiastic multitude.
lie next time l saw Mrs. Grant was in
Washington, February, 1875. Socially or
on 0usiness?" demanded the waiter who
took my card at the White House. "So.
cially. And entering the room to the left
OF the entrance | sat waiting. In few min.
utes Mrs Grant came, and we seated our
selves On sofa near the door. While lis
teniDg TO her low, sweet voice, happening to
glance behind her. I saw pair of eyes watch.
ing us through the crack of the door. Draw.
ing he- attention imperceptibly to the fact
she arose Immediately and We walked to the
fsr window of the room before resumng.
With sn expression of genuine distress she
raised her beautiful hands and exclaimed:
Oh, Mrs c., if We could trust any oner'
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 auy of ths peo-
pie of this Union, which General Grant
saved, could find in their heart to reflect
upon him. For nov part" she added, II
sfeel as il / could never be sufficiently proud
of my husband" "As soldier?'' 1 asked.
Eyes, IS @ soldier and statesman. When
MIR. Grant took the reins of the republic tha
war spirit still existed; not openly, it is
true, but secretly, in the hearts of the ae.
ftated. The hnancss-our whols distracted
country was In state OF chaos, and Mr.
Grant gathered up all the loose ends of this
mighty fabric strayiDg loose tangled, wids
apart, and knit them air together again into
one harmonious whole, with Gods guidance
and assistance. But" she added, changing
the subject suddenly, blusbing at her own
enthusiasm. don't let me do al the talk
ing"
Soliciting her iuhuence with the General
for the justly merted appointment OF az
other, she said: However much | m;ehs
wish to be p you in thus mater, I dare not
interfere; but" she continued, you Ger
tainly will hot 60 away without first seeing
Mr.. G. ant" and Producing one of her Grads
she wIote: Dear Ulysse.-I would like yoa
To Sc Mrs. c."
After the csll went up stairs to the ants-
room, and sendirg in Mrs Grants card with
mine, was soon requested to follow. There
vas crowd IN waiting, so we entered the
Presidents apartment TWO at time. Feeling