The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-05-19
SOLDIERS BUDGET,
Grants White Mountain Ride.

In the May 81. Nicholas George B.
Smith tells Of remarkable ride once
made by General Grant, from the vii
lage of Bethlehem to the Profile House
in the White Mountains. The driver
was Edward Cox, and Mr.. Smith de-
scrbes the ride as follows:
When, about seven O'Clock of that
calm August evening, the Presidential
party stepped out of the Sinclair House,
General Grants trained eye, sweeping
over the team with the glance of con-
noisseur, at once recognized its excel
lence. Walking quickly to the drivers
side, he said to Cox, eff you have no
objections, l will get up there with
you" sit is pretty rough riding up
here, General" was the reply. CT can
stand it If you can," said Grant, as he
climbed to the place and settled him
SELF The President was dressed in
high silk hat, black suit and long linen
buster covering as much of his clothing
as possible. The others of the party
adjusted themselves in the big, heavy
wagon according to their ideas of COM
fort, and all was ready. Sixteen peo-
pie were in that vehicle, including Mr..
Cox.
The driver frightened the reins with a
"whistl " and with spring, in perfect
unison, the noble animals were off for
the Profile. The telegraph operator at
the st. Clair sat with his finger on the
key, looking out of the window and
watching for the moment of the start.
A message at once flashed over the wire
to the Profile House saying that they
had gone, and the time was noted. 1t
was precisely seven o'clock.
At the Profile large company had
gathered in the office, waiting for the
arrival. Among them were several
stage drivers, who with becoming grav-
ity gave various opinions, as sages and
oracles of profundity in road knowledge,
and fully discussed the situation. 1t
was known that Cox intended to break
all records if he could; but it was the
unanimous expression of the drivers,
knowing every foot of the road as they
did, that "Ed" could not make the
drive in less than two hours, and por-
ton of them thought he had better
make it two and half, as the last three
miles were right up into the mountain,
with steep grade all the way into
Franconia Notch. But that he could
make the eleven miles in less than two
hours was not believed for moment.
Those of my readers who have visited
this famous hotel, the Profile, will re-
member Echo Lake, and the little can
non kept there to wake the echoes.
This beautiful sheet of water, famous
far and near for its echoes and their
many repititions, is about a quarter of
mile from the hotel, and the Presi-
dental party had to pass it to get to
the house. 1t had been arranged that
when they drove by, the gunner should
fire the cannon, to announce the fact
to the house. AT the hotel we were
listening for the signal-gun, chatting,
discussing the event, and passing the
time as best we could, when-bang!
went the gun. The echo-maker had
spoken. We looked at the clock hang
ing in the office. 1t was not believed
it was the President. SIT cannot beP'
Look at the time!" "Some mistake
has been madel" Such were the ex-
pressions heard on all sides.
The proprietor hurried bell-boy to
the lake, to ascertain why the gun was
fred before the time. But it was the
expected party. In what seems an In
credibly short time we heard the tramp
ing of the flying steeds, and the rattle
of the chariot; and in another moment
they were swept around the corner of
the house into plain view.
Never will forget the scene, as they
swung into the large circular space be-
fore the building, Ed Cox stood up on
the foot hoard. with teeth set, ewes
blazing, and every rein drawn tight in
his hands. General Grant sat beside
him, holding his hat on with one hand,
the other grasping the seat. The eight
horses were on the full run, with
mouths wide open, ears back fiat to
their heads, and nostrils distended d.
They were covered with sweat and
foam, yet all under perfect control Of
the magician on the box. AS they made
the circle and drew up in front of the
hotel, Cox threw his weight on the
brake and stopped at once. He had
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