The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-09
RICHARD w. THOMPSON.


also two children, a boy and a girl. The boy
is perfectly sound. He is eleven years old,
and is bright, energetic and smart. don't
think he could be bought at any price. !
know Jones would not sell him for $50, 0O0
think that $4995O would be low estimate
for the girl as she has the making of a good
woman in her. In addition to these items
Jones has a table in his office worth So two
chairs worth so cents each, an inkstand
worth Is cents and double-bladed Barlow
knife, which / put at a dime, and, besides,
there is in his office a great big rat hole,
which is worth looking into. And so,'' con-
cluded the President, although I don't
know much about your claim 1 think there
may be great big rat hole there which may
be worth looking into, and 1 will look into
it." The man laughed and went away well
pleased.
A POEM BY JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
You knew John Quincy Adams quite well,
did you not, Mr.. Thompson
yes; l sat beside him in the House of
Representatives for several years. He was a
pleasant man, but very digniied one. Life
was a serious matter with him, and he spent
little time in frivolity. Still he was kind
and gentle, and fond of children"
Yes" said Miss Thompson, who was in
the library at the time 1 had this
conversation with Colonel Thompson
MIR. Adams was very kind. was
with father during his stay in Wash
ington, and when l was four years
old he took me TO the House one day with
him. had an album with me- and father
sent me with this to John Quincy Adams
asking him to write a sentiment for me in
my book. Mr. Adams took me upon bis lap,
and, holding me with one hand he wrote
poem for me with the other. 1t was a very
pretty poem, too"
'Have you copy of it, Miss Thompson"
I asked.
Yes" was the reply II have the origi-
nal" and Secretary Thompson's daughter
thereupon fetched faded yellow book from
among her treasures and showed ms a page
covered with verses in. a grabbed, trembling
but legible hand 1t was the handwriting of
John Quincy Adams. The words are as fol-
lows:
CTo Miss Mary Gardiner Thompson)
oh. had I. lovely maiden but the power
With lavish hand. what blessings would I shower
TO I'LL thy future days with keen delight.
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter each in turn
To thee the tribute of his joys should bring
For thee stern Winters social fires should burn,
For thee resound the minstrelsy Of Spring.
For thee should Flora shed her soft perfumes.
For thee her luscious fruits should Summer
For thee should Autumn's waving harvest loom;
For thee Pomona 5 vintage crown the field.
And all the rolling seasons should be thine
And thine they shall be, for thy soul is pure
And virtue Shields with energy divine,
From all the ills that mortals must endure.
Should Winters frosts with pain thy bosom
wiring
r.,
And bloom afresh in never-fading Spring.
Washington. "a August. 1872.
JACKSON'S ADVICE.
The conversation here turned to Jackson
and Colonel Thompson described for me his
inauguration in 1929, speaking of the solem-
nifty with which he kissed the Bible and
giving a vivid picture of the scene. Said
he:
II was nineteen years old at that time
and I came to see the Inauguration with
my father. Father was a strong Jackson
man, and he had a personal acquaintance
with the President / did not agree with
father as to his political sentiments, and /
told him that ] should never vote for
man like Jackson. day or so after the
Inauguration father took me with him and
went to call upon the President. He and
Jackson chatted together for some time
and then, just as he was about to leave,
father Mortified me by saying: Mr.. Presi-
dent, 1 want to ask you TO give some adj
vice TO my son. He does not hold the same
views concerning you as l do, and I wish
you could say something To keep him in
the traces of the party.
II expected a reproof from Jackson. for
he had. you know. the reputation Of being