The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-15

over Central Park when called on Mrs.
Grant the other day. Her butler. soft Of
manner and impressive of countenance.
TOOK up my card while waited in the re-
ccpuon-ro0m-a room decorated and fur
nished In light blue While waiting look
around me. An Administer CARPET covers
the noor; walnut table stands in one
corner ana upon 1t some writing materials;
naii-a-dozen chairs are placed here and
there In the corner near the door hangs
an excellent etching of General Grant; on
the mantel Is miniature bust Of the late
hero.
The broad hallway just outside is Aled
ana lniald with mosaic. The tints of the
walls and ceilings are gray, and the color
ing IN the hall is of a subdued and quiet
character. In the center of the floor. fac
ing the entrance to the drawing-room, is
an lniald monogram of the generals
initials. A large Moorish lantern, of
beaten antique brass, studded with opal
escent glass in a variety of colors, is sus-
pended from the ceiling. In the hall
stands heavy chair, framed on four i'm
mense elephant tusks, which were pre-
scented to General Grant by the Maharajah
OF Mecca. Handsome engravings and
trophies adorn the walls.
MEMOIR OF THE GENERAL.
While am making these observations,
the butler returns to usher me into the
presence Of Mrs. Grant. Her maid is with
her but she retires at once Mrs. Grant is
seated in an easy chair before little desk
OF inlaid woods. The room is carpeted in
heavy Wilton, and its ornaments are
antique and costly There is a handsome
and deliberately designed breakfast table,
deep luxurious couch and chairs of
w1cker-wOrk. A couple of handsome
bookcases and cabinet complete the fur
nishings of the room.
On the walls hang several rich engravings
ana nne paintings. On the mantelpiece is
bust is placed on the top of one of the
bookcases Mrs. Grant greets me cordially.
1t Is just midday, and have interrupted
her at her favorite task-her memoirs of
her husband.
Yes" she says, II have been at work
today on my book. breakfast at 8 and
once In awhile writing page or two ofmy
book. am not making much progress,
though. My eyesight is troubling me this
winter more than ever before. I wrote
quite lot when in the country last sum-
mer. 1t was so quiet there that l took up
my pen and yielded to the inspiration to
write
'.Once in while dictated to nv maid.
Between us we wrote the history of the
trip around the world made by General
Grant and myself. When we arrived at
San Francisco stopped, and have written
but little since. There yet remains to be
written the account of the journey across
the continent and the subsequent occur
rences up to the time Of my husbands
DEATH"
ventured the hope that the book would
soon be completed, whereupon she said
that it would be fully year before the
last words were written. She spoke very
highly of the books that have been written
on General Grant, but smiled little when
l remarked that her book would be of
more value, coming, as it did, from the
the hands Of the one with whom he was
most intimate.
"Tbe book" she said, lis being written
in the plainest kind Of way. 1t will be
simply q recital of facts and will lay no
claim to literary distinction"
Have you told all the incidents of your
husbands life that the public is not
acquainted with?" / asked
Eyes" was the reply: NEARLY all''
Once in q while, however. She relates
some incidents of her life to friends, who
ask, us that in your book?" More often
than not she is obliged to confess that it is
not. Whereupon her friends request her
to write it and it is written.
"REMINISCENCES.
Mrs. Grant looked in good health as she
sat and conversed with me. She laughed
heartily when 90 moved to do, and once
arose from her chair to get book from
the bookcase, which she wished me to
look at. Her step was firm and quick.
Her conversation was easy and interest
ing. While We were speaking Of the book
which she is writing, Mrs. Grant became