The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-22
CUPID KNOTS THE NECKTlE.
Pretty Long Ago Love Story of IL Hero
of Appomattox.

fFetty Long ago Love story OF u hero
of Appomattox.
A soldier is supposed to own the in
constant heart accredited to a sailor,
but Americas most famous general, al
ways excepting Washington, was at
least once in love before he met the
woman who became his wife.
Maria jerks of Pontiac is the he
roine of the love story of long ago. She
was then beautiful and young: now she
supports herself by washing and IRON
ing clothes.
Maria jerks is so years old. Her
face is wrinkled and drawn, showing
the marks of much sorrow. Her back
is bent from the heavy work. She sell
dom leaves her scantily furnished
home, yet when she happens on the
street the people turn to look at her
thin clothes and say: "She was en-
gagged to marry president"
After the death of her husband
few years ago Maria jerks moved from
Detroit to Pontiac. She had no money
and she could live cheaper in the lit
tie house at SO Chandler street than
in this city. Four washings a week
would bring her 50, and if she could
get her husbands pension of So per
month she could live quite comfort
ably But she had trouble with the
pension managers, and the back pay"
which she had been depending upon did
not come. Her husband had died be-
fore the necessary papers had been
signed There was nothing left for her
but to do washing for a living.
The neighbors wondered about the
little gray-haired woman. She said
nothing concerning her past. She was
simply washerwoman.
One day not very long ago church
social was given in Pontiac and all
those who possessed curiosities We're
70 1,i,,o md NJ
them on exhibition as a drawing card.
There was a large collection of 'an-
tiques" displayed at the social, but
around a certain little ose-colored silk
apron more tnan usual amount of
curiosity was expressed. 1T must be
very old,' the ladies said, ''and what a
dainty flower it has
This is the apron which matched
| General Grants tie at a necktie party
| 40 years ago." read a label on the
| apron, and every one was interested to
| know who could be it's owner.
They found her-Mrs. jerks, the
washerwoman and she told the story
ing of the clothes she had taken in
You see.' she began. putting a
mo:stened finger to the bottom of the
| iron she was using, II was living at
Sackett's Harbor, N. Y, while Grant
was stationed there. I have forgotten
the exact date, but it was while he was
| yet a lieutenant and | was II or Is
years old. I met him at a dancing
school and he paid me marked atten-
| ton from the first. l admired his
manly ways. liked him very much.
"He asked me to attend a necktie
party which was to be held at Water
town. short distance away, and ]
accepted
TT was the custom for the lady tc
supply the necktie and apron, so
went down to the city and purchased
the little apron which you see hanging
on the wall over there. The neckti'
was of the same pattern and material
THE gentlemen were suppose to place
their ties in an envelope after which
they were put in a big box and draw
out, one at time. Then each gentle
man found the apron which matched
his tie and selected his lady for tn
evening in that manner. 1t was quit
exciting, for the chances We're great.
against the gentleman who wished t.
draw any particular lady.
well, it came around to Grant
turn to draw, and / watched him close
ly while he selected his envelope. II
did not open it right away, and afte
little I missed him. Presently he re
turned with broad smile and l notice.
that he was wearing my tie.
AT the time l thought it rather un
upsual that he should happen to draw
that particular envelope, for he had re
marked previously that he would tax
nothing else.
Then he told me that my tie ha
never gone into the box. He had ha
1t in his pocket, and upon drawing an
other went outside to destroy the on
: he did not want. OF course he ha
, been forced to draw one, and so on
young lady went without a beau tina
evening.
Yes, I was engaged to Genera
Grant, though had known him only
short time. He used to come to call o
me every week, but my father suspect
ed the engagement and sent me dow
J to Albany. He did not like youn
| Grant. He thought he was little to
fast, I guess, though l was never c
, that opinion.
l MY sister lived at Albany, and the
sent me to visit her. and when l return
ed he had gone. Grant was married
short time afterward and l never sa,
him again.
. 'When he was president some of m
. frneds urged me to send the apron t
him, and l did. About two months al
a terward it was returned with a lette
:, in which was enclosed a $50 bill.
have long since lost the letter. but
remember that the president said thu
he was reminded of the old times b
the apron and wished he had the L
to send with it. That's about all ca
I, 1ntt