The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-09-20
FOOLED HIS FATHER.
A STORY ILLUSTRATING GRANTS
STRONG SENSE OF HONOR.

The General Wanted to Do His Duty
without Hurting His Fathers
Feelings, and by Clever Little
Rusc he Succeeded Admirably.
Great men frequently discover that
relatives arc not the most charming
things to have OF cultivate, after great
ness comes. We're it possible to in
duce public men Of the past and pres
ent to reveal just what they thought
of their relatives the revelations might
furnish some most interesting side
lights on certain famous careers.
To Walpolc is attribuated the bitter
exclamation:
"Relatives are tails to already over
loaded Kites"
This may be unwelcome truth, since
history contains many instances where
cousins and aunts have proved treach-
erous stumbling blocks for ambitious
leaders.
General Grant was at Memphis in
command Of the army Of the west, and
lust before his elevation to the COM
mand Of ell the armies Of the Union,
when he received word that his father
was about to make his headquarters q
| cisit.
The news did not please him. His
staff noticed his perturbation, but pass
cd it by without comment. One night
shortly before the arrival Of his sire
he sent for General Dickie, his chief Of
cavalry. General Dickie afterward be-
came chief justice of the supreme
court Of Illinois, and, strangely enough,
died at Atlantic City on the same day
that Grant passed away at McGregor.
To Dickic General Grant said:
81 have sent for you as 4 personal
friend. My father is coming to visit
me, and what have got to tell you
about that visit is not pleasing to me,
but something must be done. Some Of
the money sharks and cotton specu-
lators have gained an unwarrantablc
influence over the old man, and he is
really coming down here to use his in
fuence over mo to gain fayOrs for
them. This cannot be done. do not
wish to wound his feelings. l DO not
wish him to know that I understand
the object of his visit. have prepared
q plan Of action waicl. wish you to
aid me in carrying out"
General Dickie understood the char
acter Of Grant MS few men did. He
promised his aid. General Grant then
said:
"You are relieved from all duty from
this time on until the departure Of my
father. The instant be arrives wish
you to take him to your tent and en-
tertain him there. Keep him there all
the time. Under no circumstances
allow him to be with me alone while
he Is here"
General Dlckie Immediately made
preparations for the old gentleman
and when he came received him with
open arms. He WINS very anxious to
see his son, but glad to take Dickie's
headquarters for his own and pleased
with the cordiality displayed toward
him. As soon as he was settled he
made vigorous efforts to have a per-
sonal interview with his son, but some
thing always happened to prevent
Wherever he turned, Dickie was by
his side. General Grant called on him
daily, but never alone. If he went to
the generals quarters he always found
him occupied. II he tried to meet hic'
In Dickie's tent Dickie was sure to he
around, and personal conversation was
an impossibility.
At the end of four or five days the
old gentleman was very restless, but
there was no chance for him to protest
and no chance for him to get closer
than q public audience with his son.
For nearly ten days lie made the effort,
but failed, and then left for home, hap.
py as to the entertainment he had re-
ceived, but dismayed Mt his inability to
see his son alone.
AS soon as he was gone, Grant re-
stored General Dickic to cavalry duty,
but never referred again to the pur-
pose Of his fathers visit. General
Dickie told the story shortly before his
death to Chicago lawyer, but it has
never been printed until now.
In semiDubllc letter written by
General Grant after his retirement
from the presidency, there occurs the
| lines:
"Whateycr mistakes l have made in
my public life, have never erred for
my own gain. What hayc done for
| the republic has been from 4 sense OF
duty, and not with any thought as to
what it would profit me. Many un-
kind things have been said and writ
ten Of me by those who least know
how have been situated, but mE acts
have been inspired by the highest
sense of fcalty to my country and gov
t."-Chicago Timcs-Herald.
Paying Tolls In HOrseshOes.
Ona Of 1bu ,unct oiIriOuS S,1rvfyclS Of