New-York tribune., 1886-01-09
UNDEBTAKBR MEBRITTs BILL.
UNABLE TO GET IT PAID AT WASHINGTON.
HOW HE HAS BEEN EMDAREAssED-sUBDUED. BUT
STILL. HOPEFUI.

HOW HE HAS BEEN EMDARRAsSED-SUBDUED, BUI
STILL HOPEFUL.
Undertaken Stephen Merritt is in peck OF
trouble Yet he bears himself as Of old, Ike phoso-
pher He has vany been knocking at the portals OF the
Government get his bill Of S14t63 75 for the funeral
expenses of General Grant paid. lie has invoked the
aid OF Congressman MerrimaD, and his william Mor-
r1t went to Washington Tuesday and Is now there
hunting with the Congressman for the pgeonhole which
may contain the unpaid bill.
Mr. Merritt In his Office yesterday thoughtful yet
q hopefur He leaned back comfortably in his
chair twirled his thumbs looked up with reverent air
aud sad Yes 1t is going six months since Gen
Grant died and tho Government has not yet paid my
bill. have tried every In my power to get the
money, but have failed. don't know positively what
is the matter think the bill has got into pgeon-
hole There nothing tho matter With the bill ltseu IL
is perfectly e0sonablo. urged by some to make 1t
$4,000; they told might just as well make It that
as not and it would be paid Just as quickly as small
bill. But" ana Mr.. Merritt grew core thoughtful,
don't believe in that sort OF thing put in my honest
legitimate expenditures and the generals went over oil
the items That's right they said 20 each and
they thought my perfectly reasonable They all
chagred that the bill has not yet been paid sent 10
General Hancock and he forwarded TO the War Depart
mentj 1t andted and that's the last heard OF It,
have written the department ana have been told that
snppose wrpts last three weeks ago, but have had
answer to tho letter. don't know what to make OF
IT, aud my son William has gone ON to Washington to
hunt up pigeon hole spoke 10 Congressman Mer-
about U last week and he said he would look iALo
the matter. ITe is new member said Mr. Merritt
dnbonsly and he may not know whore all the pigeon
holes are"
Ar. Merritt paused as look OF benevolent commsera
ton overspreai his face He appeared to DO l0OAtng
into der this OF double-dyed VILLAIN for he went on;
have been told that II would put up something.
that bill would fly right ont OF that hole and the
moDoy would be In my hands In q week. but' aud he
brought his hand down with emI hasis. won put w
centn0, SIR not II lose every dollar OF that billl
That's honest bill and reasonable one and shant
pay any body to hurry up the red tape Bnt the
bills which incurred for the funeral have kept coming
In told by the generals that the money would be
pat right after the fuuer when the bills came in
gave my notes These notes have becu coming due Inc
Oher day for 81 800 ior carriages came due. PAID
like little SO another for 1890. don't believe
there's another undertaken In the city who could have
gone and up the Mills did on credit I've been
paying them right along. | have had to draw on my
capital. But when get that 81 lG3 70 shall nave 80
much oean money In pocket-all my bills paid am
expecting the money every day nOw,' he concluded
hopefully am looking for that cheok by every mall
Although rve been called queor names because didn't
make the bill larger wogld do just the same thing
again"
when william Merritt went to Washington. he took
bushe OF letters friend OF his TO smooth his
way the National Capitol. strong ono was from
Colonel shAckelford, who fought for tho last herrtt
" boom"
Pregnant polishing has the nickel covering from
tho copper plate the steal tOx enclosing General
Grants coffin and Mr. Merritt has han sDld silver ono
made IN its stead This will replace the other w6on Mr.
Mcrritts sou returns.