Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-07-19
THF PRESIDENTS COW.
An Agricultural ReminisCence of the
White House in III,


A native and old resident of Washington
tells the following anecdote which was cur
rent and credited in Washington during the
brief administration of President Harrison,
who was called the "Cincinnatus of the
West by the Wings and Granny Harri-
SON by the Democrats When he came to
Washington to be inaugurated, no one was
surprised at the plain looks and simple man
ner of the old hero, because the pictures of
the log cabin in which he had lived were
common during the campaign as illustrat-
ing his simple habits No, nor were they
mcredulous of the story they soon heard of
him.
1t seems that there was no cow-or no
satisfactory cow-at the White House. so
the old ex farmer made inquiries, and
learned that Saturday was the day when
the drovers came in from the country to
the Marsh market to sell their cattle. Con
sequently, early on Saturday morning
President Harrison, instead of sending a
servant, arose and walked down to the
market. There he found cows galore :"
He soon made trade with burly Mont
gomery county drover, by which he became
possessor of a fine Durham"
"Where shall l drive it, sir Z" inquired
the drover, who did not recognize the Pres
ident
"To the White House | will show YOU
the way replied Harrison.
"Why, you don't mean to say, my friend,
that you've bought this we're beast for old
Granny Harrison - demanded the drover,
with dilated eyes
Eyes" replied the old hero, without
showing the resentment that a smaller man
might have thought necessary.
The drover left his cattle in the care of
his son and turned the Durham out on
the avenue, where he and the President
walked side by side behind the COW, guild
ing her way. The President, on the inside,
gently raised his stick when Sukey made
an effort to promenade the sidewalk and
the drover hourished his whip when she
threatened TO break into the middle of the
street
"Im a Democrat myself. the drover vol
unteered to inform his companion, "and
voted for old Van, Of course but the other
day at the 'nauguratiun-ha ma ma -
I'll he doggoned if ! didn't throw up my
hat and hurrah for Granny Harrison with
the best on EN- Couldn't help it, some
how
Thank YOU said the President.
"Oh you're a whig But | might
known that 10y your having "A siteratiOn in
the White House, as ] s'pose you have,
haint you p
"Nes, " said the President
What be you there now Gardener ~
'No"
"Coachman, then, or body servant 20
Neither. ] suppose | may cali myself a
general servant
ooh, yes Run errands, wait ON the TIA
bile, answer the door knocker, aud like o.
that, " remarked the drover, who had no
idea Of what the domestic establishment Of
the President of the United States was like
Something not very unlike that said
the President, with a tolerant smile.
DO YOU see much of Granny Harrison
now - inquired the man, as they neared
the White House grounds
Considerable, replied the President
How do You like the old fellow {"
That's hard 90 tell Too well most
likely thoughtfully replied the hero,
'l'll go bail YOU 10 ~
We'll here We are said the President
opening a gate that led b. the stables
Several men servants came forward,
tlurhius their hats
Take charge of that COW and attend %
her ordered the President
Then, turning D. the drover, he said