The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
GRANTS PENSION PROTEGE.
Renaissance of Narrow t'Nape
From Capture Which Befell the Great
General During the War.
Chicago Times Herald


General During the War.
Chicago Times Herald.)
Certainly the story is authentic that
President Grant once asked rle if |
could not raise the standard of beauty
in the dead-letter Office said Assistant
Attorney General James n. Tyner,
laughingly, ''but the sequel to it has
never been published.
''The President was passing through
the department and jokingly commented
on the unattractive appearance of the
clerks and quzzically inquired il | could
not raise the standard of female
beauty.
Naturally | regarded the matter as a
jest and replied that | would be glad to
do so, and was open to suggestions.
"'Why, employ one handsome woman
and perhaps she will leaven the whole
loaf he answered, and when ! assented
he inquired seriously:
8 Would you give a pretty girl an APP
pointment if | sent her to your
"'Of course | would, | replied, never
dreaming, however, that he was in
earnest.
But the next day a lovely young girl
came into my office with a note from
President Grant, simply asking me to
fulfill my promise. without referring,
however, to its character. | questioned
her closely, and found her as innocent
and unsophisticated as she was pretty.
She was a. Southerner, and had lived on
plantation all her life, but wanted a
Government position and, being backed
by the President, | set her at work in
the dead letter office.
Some time later, while Grant was on
his trip around the world, spent a
couple of months with him in Paris, and
one evening as we sat talking of the
past | asked him if he remembered this
young lady.
certainly / do, for | have good
cause to remember her. he responded
cordially.
Il intimated that | was satisfied there
must be a story back of his appoint
/ ment. and as he was in one Of his rare
reminiscent moods. he related the fol-
lowing extraordinary experience:
1T was just before the battle of the
Wilderness that | mounted my horse and
went for a ride. | was full of anxiety,
and in my preoccupation went outside
of our lines and found to my dismay that
| was being chased.
"'My horse was good one and |
rode hard until | came to a little, half
concealed cabin. where | dismounted and
said to a man that came to the door:
Are you Il Confederate or Il Union
man."
'.'''I am a Confederate, he answered
proudly.
Jewell sir. am General Grant; can
you hide me for little while. as | am
being pursuedT
How do you know that | won't
betray you?'' he inquired curiously.
Because | trust yonr face" ! re-
piled, and without more ado he seized my
horse by the bride and we went into a
deep ravine back Of his home, where Il
moment later he left me, after bidding
me to keep perfectly still.
1T was glorious moonlight night
and | could see every object distinctly.
About II o'clock | heard the bushes
crackle, and for moment my heart
leaped for fear as my host came cauti-
ousy up behind me.
'.'"Have you betrayed me?' / in
quired sharply.
No. sir" he replied almost harsh
~, 1.-THE pursuing party has passed. the
coast is clear, and you can return to
your army"
8 He put me on the right road and as
! jumped into the saddle | grasped his
hand and tried to thank him. told
him that if | could serve him or his to
let me know.
81 never saw him again. but the day
you spoke to me his daughter came to
me with letter from her father. who
is very poor, reminding me of my prom
Use. And this concluded General
Grant, was the sole reason / wanted to
raise the standard of female beauty in
the dead letter Office
A telegraph operator demands cash for
what he does on tick
The lighter mans head is the higher
he is able to carry it.