New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-08-18
THE GRANTS AT HOME.

lib GKANIS AL HUME.
Long Branch Letter to the Philadelphia
Times.
Until late one evening sat npon the
porch of an historic residence, looking
out upon the almost unruff1ed sea and
within upon the room where the great
man who once dwelt there began the
last and most remarkable work Of his
life. Twas seated with a family group,
recalling wildly the important and
stormy past as it contrasted with the
peaceful yet serious present. The
conversation dritted slowly and So
berly about that past and the mem
DRY OF him whose life and associations
have filled it with wonderful play and
incident. It was the Grant cottage
where l spent my evening, cordially
received by Mrs. Grant and her eldest
son, Frederick, who, with his pleasant,
handsome wife and their healthy,
merry, romping children, are residing
IN the quiet-looking, simple-appear1ng
dwelling, the occupation of which by
President Grant when living gave to
this place it's earliest renown and made
it the nations Summer capital"
When was last here the great
soldier, and also a greater citizen,
was among US, apparently strong, and
evidently hopeful and confident of a
future of quiet and dignifed usefulness.
He was honored then by all; yet he
was never SO loved and .revered as
now that he was gone The nation
recalls the struggle of the last months
OF his eventful life, when he sought to
clear his name and yet leave those
ne loved with the means of independ-
ence about them. Mrs. Grant is look
ing very well--stlll thestrong, matron-
~ woman, and dignifed, yet forceful,
lady the American people long since
learned to respect. Col. Grant is
Quieter and easier in his manners and
speech, and shows deeper thought
fulness and reserve force than former
ly. 1t was a quiet evening, full Of
sober associations, that still were not
unduly sad. Ifelt in all the talk the
presence OF sentiment there, I'M
touched with restlessness and bearing
a still feeling of confidence in the as
sociations and memories of the father
and husband whom they mourn and
revere. The merry voices of the happy
children filled the parlors and piazzas
with a sound that had evidently
brought peace and content to the lady
who sat there, the honored matron of
a famous household. Col. Grant is
working hard at various things and is
mindful always OF what he deems i'm
perative obligations.
THE GRANT COTTAGE.
The Grant cottage stands simple
and unpretentious, looking like, what
it is. a pleasant summer home, with
out ostentation or glare. It stands
amid two miles or more ofvillas, many
OF which ale otherwise, that from the
west end line Ocean avenue. From this:
roadway the Grant cottage is partly
hidden by a, small grove of frs and
other ,shrubbery, in the midst OF which
are the stables and lodges. A large
sweep of lawn, set off by few large
vases filled with brilliant hued flowers,
bring the visitor over a gravel walk
and drive to a plain structure ofwood,
with sloping roof, broken by dormer
windows. The building is colored in
gray and reddish brown, which harm.
onize we'll with the soft color tones OF
earth, sky and sea. Broad and
graceful piazzas on three sides
set off the plain building. The en-
trance, which faces the avenue, is
let in deeply, so as to form another
piazza on the hall floor and deep bal
cony on the second, now all brilliant
with mass OF radiant flowers. The
establishment is necessarily smaller
than in the Generals lifetime. The
stables show this, but everything is
well kept and cared for. A quickest
hedge, thick and we'll trimmed, runs
with the public walk and part of the
way on either side Of the grounds,
below which a neat wire fence sepa-
rates the Grant place from the state
lier one OF George w. Childs to the
east and from very rich mans resi-
dence to THEY'VE Gen. Grant favor.
tie lounge was on the side facing the
ocean, and there the family sat until
quite late last evening. Within the
residence is simply yet neatly furnish
ed, though there are many evidences
OF the great position filled by him who
has passed away.
It is an historic family group that
fills it,and around them are souvenirs
that Indicate the unique place it's head
occupied in more than national af-
fairs. A superb portrait OF the gener-
al, draped with the national flag, fills
the eye. On the floor OF hall and sa-
Ion are seen a number of superb robes
and tigers, lions, panthers',
etc.-trophles probably OF that famous
journey around the world. Other ev-
licences are to be noticed, but my in
terest conferred on the living.
The conversation was cheerful and
not notably reminiscent. Itrecalled
to me more than to the family, doubt
less, my last visit to and conversation
with Gen. Grant in this home of his
personal choice. Mention was made
of the absent sons and dates were Civ
en- OF the expected visits OF themselves
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