New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-12
NEW STORIES ABOUT GRANT.
"REMINISCENCES BY FOUR EMINENT
CLERGYMEN.

Four eminent clergymen were dining at my
fathers when the subject Of the wonderful ahil-
tiles Of General Grant was introduced. and one
of the number. the Rev. DR.. Ellis, of Brooklyn,
remarked:
my mother used to dandle Ulysses s. Grant
heard her tell of him and his boyhOod.
"Ah, shall hear one. for verify MS
story telling hath made him famous, said an
other, a gentleman from Boston. noted for ms
love Of fun, in audible aside, and the first
speaker proceeded as with smile he ignored
the interruption.
There was a Mr.. Whitehead whose farm was
but short distance from the village of George
town, where Grants father then resided. and
who was noted for E his fine FLOODED horses
Ulysses
WAS he always called that?' asked one
athirst for Information.
Yes. always; at least so my mother sald
Ulysses q devoted lover OF horses, Whlcn
fondness was developed early as four years
of age, and which increased with his added years
When he was eleven, or thereabouts, Mr. Whlte-
head brought over from Kentucky among MS
horses a very fine sorrel illy. which soon became
the coveted admiration of the lad. He talked
long and often with his father concerning II, and
as was usually the case for the boy was
humored much as was possible. at least so my
mother said. he was given permission something
like this: Ulysses you may go to Mr.. Whitehead
and offer him $50 for the filly. But don't think
he win take it. Then you may offer him $40 but
don't think he will take that, either. After that
you may offer him raise of IS until you reach
$50 but you cannot go higher than that Do you
understand? The horse, might add in explanao
ton, would probably have brought POW or vow
now, for it was pure Lexington blood. The boy
could hardly wait to run the short distance TO
the neighbor's There entering the barn breath
less. he gasped, rather than said: On MI.
Whitehead father says l may offer you $50 for
the sorrel FLY, but don't think you will take
that then / to offer you So more, until l
reach $50 but that is all he will give for the
flly. Oh what you laughing at? he asked.
for the old gentleman was fairly chuckling in his
merriment. 1 was laughing was the reply of
Mr.. Whitehead, as l was wondering what !
would let you have the horse for" And can
have the fllyT Yes, for So answered the old
man, who was a good Methodist, and under no
circumstances would he have taken ADVANTAGE
Of the boys honesty but nevertheless he hugely
enjoyed the joke
And as all joined in the laugh at the trans
parency of the lad, one remarked:
THE old gentleman had $40 worth OF fun out
Of it, think"
ALWAYS A GENTLEMAN
father myself" said my father. with old DR..
Asa Mahan, OF Oberin College, was visiting at
the home of Jesse Grant. and as matter of
course talked OF the illustrious son. And l
remember saying: Deliverers are always raised
for the occasion. Moses for the children OF
Israel, Washington for our infant country when
such leader was necessity; and as believed
God raised these men, so do believe that your
son a man given of God for the work he had
to do The old father sitting in easy
chair before US. and as the tears rolled down his
withered cheeks he said. and shall never forget
his words: I do believe Ulysses is child of
Providence
That Grant was well trained there can be no
doubt" then spoke DR.. Cameron Of Boston. I'm
proof Of this let me tell incident which
CURED to me when / was in Denver. On the day
of the funeral l was making some necessary Wis
It's, and while passing some trench diggers in
the street. remarked to one as l frequently do:
Sad day. this my friend. when the great gen
eral and mighty horse is laid away. Yes
was the reply. I'm Democrat am, but will
say that Grant was gentleman, If there
one But he used to be a pretty hard
drnker did he not" 1 asked, by way of drawing
him out. Drink! Well, l rather guess but he
always a gentleman. Yes? Yes sir It
was a standing joke among the boys sir how
he used to act. Why. sir. when he was living in
Gaena, sir, have seen him so full that he could
not stand straight, but IL one of us boys uttered
a profane word raised his voice too high or
even began to tell a smutty story, Grant never
said nothing, but he just made straight for the
door. even If he did fall into the gutter outside
Oh I'm Democrat l am but tell You that the
old man was gentleman
One thing l have always admired about him
was his Stanch devotion to his plans when he
considered them for the best again spoke the
gentleman from Brooklyn. You remember when
his fate hung In the balance for forty eight
ly, upon Cornth?"
II have heard it limited. but there are very
few who know the particulars"
Go on doctor"
Probably it Is not generally well known, but
II will serve example of what | was say
ing. All the day long private kilograms reached
him, of which he said nothing but used some Of
them with which to light his cigar, for he
continually smoking. while others he stuck
lessly into his pocket. Old Tecumseh Sherman
was with him, and you know they were as true
to each other as steel. In the evening message
reached the various generals to assemble in