National Republican., 1885-08-07
STORIES ABOUT THE HERO.
RErUGNANcE TO ANYTHING LIKE osTENTA'
T1oN A MARKED CHARACTERISTIC.

TIoN MARKED CHARACTERISTIC.
Gen. Grants repugnance to anything
like snobbishness or oslentnton was
one of his marked characteristics.
Shortly after he settled down in New
York city noted artist desired TO paint
his portrait. Consent being gained, the
artist called ut the house for his first
sitting. lie is man whose elegant de.
pertinent and arslocratio bearing are
among his prominent characteristics.
The general received his guest in blunt
and open manner, invited him TO the
parlor, where an ensal was prepared aud
the work begun. There was knock ut
the door. "Come in," said the general.
1t proved to be Mrs. Grant. She wanted
an attitude of heroic indifference
at tho easel, while he watched the
general pull out an old.fashioned.
faded, and much-worn pocket book. 1t
was tied with n black string, which he
slowly removed, got the money and
handed some to his wife. The black
string, the veteran wallet, the filthy
lucre, or something in the transaction
itself shocked the sensibililies of the
artist, if the painful expression on his
mobile face told the truthful tale, but he
managed to resume work. 1t was n
warm day. The artist perspired. Pre-
sently he went across the room aud
pulled bell cord.
"What do you want2" asked Gen.
Grant.
vi rang for q servant to bring me n
glass of water" was the reply.
The general got up from his chair and
walked out. In o moment or two he re-
turned with n goblet of ice water for the
thirsty artist, who was so confused that
he even forgot to express his thanks.
The general paid not the slightest atten.
ton to his confusion, but went on with
the sitting as if nothing had happened, +,
THE VALUE OF HIS WAR HORSE.
The general was particularly proud
and fond of his stud Of horses. His war
charger was an especial favorite. He
took great delight in exhibiting his
horses TO his friends with whom he was
intimate. Once at his stables with n
friend he said, "Perhaps you would like
to see the horse | rode during all the
campaigns commanded?' The animal
was ordered to be brought out. The
gentleman was surprised to find the
horse no larger than lady's palrrey-
small, slender, agile.limbed, black rs o
coal, intelligent, mild, an eye like IL
hawk, and lick on the name for all the
world like boy IS cow-lick. 1t was such
.a animal as women aud children would
make into family pet The gentleman
pronounced tile animal beauty, but ex.
| pressed doubt as TO lis endurance.
"Endurance!" said the general; "this
animal exceeds in endurance any horse.
flesh | ever saw. have taken him out
at daylight and kept in the saddle till
dark, and he came in as fresh when |
dismounted AS when we started in the
morning. There isn't gold in America
to buy him He is an imported horse OF
fine breed, and was once on JEFF Davis's
plantation" This was just before Davis
was caught, and the visitor said, ''I pre-
sumo you would exchange the horse for
JEFF Davis" 'You have said it," ex.
claimed Grant; 81 would exchange him
for his old master, but for nothing else
in the world"
WHAT A DEsERTEE's HAvERsACE TOLD HIM.
The attack on Fort Donclson, which
established Grants fame is said to have
been decided upon. by simple crcum-
stance. The day before the attack most
of the troops had marched q long dis.
tance, part of it in bitter cold night.
A council of war was called to deter.
mine whether an immediate attack
should be made, or whether the troops
should have a day of. rest. The officers
were in favor of rest. Grant said
nothing, but appeared absorbed in
thought. Presently, when every ono had
expressed an opinion, he said; 'There
was deserter came in this morning.
Let us see him and hear what he has to
say" The man was sent for and came
in. Grant looked in his haversnck and
then asked: "Where are you from2'
Sort Donelson." "Got six days
rations in your haversack, have you
not2" eyes, SIR" "When were they
served oui?" yesterday morning. -
"The same to all the troops?" ayes,
SIR" The soldier was sent out and
Grant said "Gentlemen, troops do not
have six days rations served out to them
in fort ifthey mean to stay there. These
men mean to reti tieat-not to fight. We
will attack vt once. Mem York Tribune.