The evening times., 1898-09-28
FRIENDS OF THE Soldier
Notable Gathering of Women
to Greet Mrs. Grant.
GENERAL WHEELER A GUEST
sfFighting Joe" Meets the Widow of
the Old Commander at "a Recep-
tien Arranged i'm Her Honor by
the wOmen's National War Re-
lief Association.

New York, Sept 2S-Mrs. Ulysses S.
Grant, leaning heavily upon a cane-a
pathetically dignihed figure in her wild
ow's weeds. spite of suggestions of ad-
vancing years-stood in the Windsor's
drawing-room yesterday, the honored
guest, the leading spirit of great body
of women working for our suffering he
roes
The Women's National War Relief As
sociation had assembled TO acclaim its
president, and the tribute paid to the wife
of the nations dead soldier was one to
stir the heart and dim the eyes.
BY her side, supporting her through the
somewhat trying ordeal of that affection
ate greeting, laughing with her like a boy
and towering over her short stature by
barely an inch or so, was Gen. Joe
Wheeler.
Not friends merely-comrades," said
the general we have known each other
through the years.
Notable women stood about them. MISS
Helen Gould dainty and smiling in black
and white stately Mrs. Daniel Lamont
and Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth, direc-
Tor general Of the association, were head
ing off guests. among whom We're several
officers, to left and right
Wonderful Women. Says Wheeler.
Wonderful women! Think of what
they have accomplished for the soldiers,
murmured Gen. Wheeler, looking at the
thrOng.
And yet" put in Mrs. Russell Sage
ironically, none of these women vote.
Oh. / am not a suffragist, but ii is only
because we have no power politically
that we are allowed TO do so much
What would the soldiers at Montauk
have done without u.s."
We'll. Of the 10000 sick there were
probably O00 who did not receive good
care. but the other 5000 now The
general was protesting weakly. But at
this moment somebody twitched his
sleeve.
The little warrior turned hastily 10 find
himself by a fair-haired boy and girl,
whose dancing eyes looked out from
wilderness of curls.
IF you please said the latter breath
Iessly. I'VE heard the band and We came
in. but were not invited and may we
stay? And are you real fighting gen
eral?'
To all Of which the delighted general
replied afirmatively and henceforward
made his way about the rooms under
the escort of a juvenile staff The chill
dren were Bessie Hentz BaltZ and her
brother Bob.
''It seems TO me women are very i'm
portant" said Mrs. Grant, with a Smll-
ing pride in the legions about her.
Mrs Sartoris lovely in black just
touched with white, who had accompaa-
fed her mother on her entrance, over
come 10y the memories the scene awak'
ened slipped away early in the reception.
Mrs. Grnnt Always for the Soldiers.
The generals popularity only increas-
ed as the time wore on. Mrs. Grant S
voice was just heard saying: Like a
military man for President? oh, i am
always for the soldiers" when, u
love to see the uniforms on the streets,
admitted one OF the small mans admir-
ers with lingering look at the blue and
gold braid before her, mot that l like
war. but / have such fancy for mill
tary accouterments.
Il have worn nothing else since May
6. madam" and the general bowed pro
foundly.
Mrs. Grant summoned him again.
moment more and the room was husheC
10 silence while he made the acknowL
edgments of the distinguished woman be
side him.
when she accepted the honor of be
ing your president she did so with mis-
net assigned to her" with a glance a
Miss Gould and the group about her
her fears gave way TO perfect conf
dence.
zone thing as Southern man mus
saw" he went on. though it brings
hack one of the most distressing periods
pf Mrs. Grants life. Much has beer
said of the renewal Of affection be
tween North and South. When the SUI
mad sci on the last day Of Gen. Grant
afe President Cleveland asked tn
widow what her wishes were. IL Nigh
have been expected she would hav'
asked such obsequies as gentleman
an officer and statesman Of his rani
merited Instead. she merely replied: Il
Cen Sherman OF Gen. Sheridan Is L
be a pallbearer, / ask that promlnen
Confederate general-Gen. Johnston o
Gen. Buckner-be made pallbeare
also That was her only request.
Mrs Grant Sobbed With Emotion
Mrs Grant was sobbing softly, and
wave Of emotion swept over the hearers
There were other words Of praise 70
the woman who had given delicacies
comforts and personal service 10 barre
Nontauk.
"Our soldiers go forward cried IN
general. and behind them The heart
Of American women support and en-