The evening times., 1896-12-10

week with Grants family, when the young
cadet taught her to ride horse. He
proved most earnest, careful teacher, as
his love for horses and fine horsemanship
amounted TO a passion, and so thoroughly
did lie do his work that, though weighing
but ninety pounds. Miss Low could ride the
most spirited animal II the region.
Grant, in his memoirs, says: Il en- joyed
this vacation beyond any other period of
my life. My father had sold out his busi-
ness in Georgetown. He had moved to
Bethel, only twelve miles away, in the ad-
joining county OF Clermont, and had bought
young horse that had never been in har-
ness for my special use under the saddle
during my furlough. These ten weeks were
shorter than one week at West Point
Bethel was only six miles from Batavia,
and it is quite evident that large portion
OF his enjoyment was due to his charming
neiGhhor from the East; at all events, he
spent much time at the Low household
The miniature of Miss Low painted at that
time, shows her to have been a young
woman Of slender, graceful figure beauti-
full deep brown eyes, finely cut features
and wealth of lovely brown hair. OF most
refined, gentle manners, she had, neverthe-
a.
rather more Of an air of the world" than
| most OF the women with whom Grant had
beenthrown- 1t is doubtful, indeed, whether
he had at that time seen much Of the So
ciety of women, having spent lis life pre-
vious to going to West Point in a little coun-
try town.
MIS-. i, Jthcrey tnee Low), barking
back to those bygone days. says that Grant
at that time was fine looking, smooth
faced young man, with clear eyes and good
features, but was chiefly attractive oil
account of his splendid carriage and SOL
dierly bearing. He was fastidious in dress.
wearing always white duck trousers and a
blue sack coat, and added that he must
have had fresh pair for every day in
the week. She also says that, though some
what bashful, he was never awkward,
and. though rather reserved and reticent
in company, there was always a perfectly
easy flow Of talk when tete-a-tete, Grant
never either lacking a subject of conversa-
| ton or readiness OF speech. The strongest
| bond between them W as their mutual love
for riding, and horses and borsemanship
was topic OF unfailing interest, while
current events and neghborbood gossip
came in for their proper share Polite lit
erature was also a fruitful theme, for
Grant at this time was a great lover of
| good novels, was given, indeed, to SPEND
| ing rather too much of his time at West
| Point devouring them, Bulwer Cooper, Mar
| ryatt, Scott, Lever, and Washington Irving
| taking their turn With many others His
| most charming characteristic however.
| was his extreme courtesy; be was full Of
| delicate and kind attentions not less to
| his aged grandmother than TO the most fasci-
| mating young woman. When askedif Grant
! was much OF 4 Smoker at that time Miss
i Low said that she only knew that he
| never smoked in the presence of ladies'
But alack and dayl Life isn't all beer
| and skittles. The ten weeks were all too
SION over, and Cadet Grant and Miss Low
| were having their last ride together. AS
| they reined in their horses to take farewen
| look at the broad landscape, Grant offered
| TO bet Miss Low beautiful ring that by
| the time he graduated she would be mar
| ried- Miss Low, convinced to the contrary,
i as is the habit with young women, risked
| some trivial stake The next time they met
| was on the following Fourth OF July-for
| Miss Low remained to attend a bah at West
| Point. She was escorted there, however,
| by the man whom she afterward married,
for she was young woman with many
| adHirers.
She lost the het and with it the ring.
! But at Grants first call upon her after her
marriage he produced package of water
! Colors painted by himself.
| 'Since you lost the ring" he said, II
want you to accept one of these paintings.
! They arenot good. Istoodonly seventeenth
in my class in drawing. But they are views
| of West Point, and l painted them myself;
so should be glad to give you one" Mrs
| r. gladly accepted / t and the rude sketch
l.; among her most cherished possessions
| today.
| A few years later he came again. The
| child who had made the memorable trip
| West was now young woman and with
| her aunt; and Grant, in great spirits, bore
the whole family away with him to the
circus, an entertainment to which he was
devoted chiefly on account OF the horses
and riding.
From thistime the lives which hadtouched
so happily divergcd not to meet again this
| side the silence. The young and beautiful
| woman is now q sweet and charming old
J lady, serene and dignfied in manner; treas
| uring all that was tender and sincere in the
early friendship, but without touch OF
vanity regarding it, and only with the
greatest reluctance allowing the story to
he told. DELLA T. DAVIS.
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