The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-02-03
FOOLED HIS FATHER.

Great men frequently discover that
relatives are not the most charming
things to have or cultivate, after
greatness comes. Were it possible to
induce public men of the past and
present to reveal just what they
thought of their relatives the relations
might furnish some most interesting
side lights on certain famous careers.
| To Walpole is attribuated the BIT
ter 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
treacherous stumbling blocks for am
Lsts~A4.5 1~eldSIo.
General Grant was at Memphis in,
command of the army of the west,
and just before his elevation to the
command of all the armies of the
Union, when he received word that
his father was about to make his
headquarters visit.
The news did not please him. His
staff noticed his perturbation, but
passed 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 became Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court of Illinois, and,
strangely enough, died at Atlantic
City on the same day that Grant pass
ed away at McGregor.
To Dickie General Grant said:
II have sent for you as a 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 spec
uiatore have gained AN n1nwarrantab1a
influence over the old man, and he
is really coming down here to use
his influence over me to gain favors
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. I
have prepared plan of action which
wish you to aid me in carrying out"
General Dickie understood the
character of Grant as 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 he a-a.--;--='-
L yYiol1 you 10 take him to your tent
and entertain him there. Keep him
there all the time. Under no cir
cumstances allow him to be with me
alone while he is here"
General Dickie Immediately made
preparations for the old gentleman
and when he came received hiHl with
HEADQUARTERS fOr his own and pleased
with the cordiality displayed toward
him. AS soon as he was settled he
made vigorous efforts to have 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 al
ways found him occupied. IfChe
tried to meet him in Dickie's tent
Dickie was sure to be around, and
personal conversation was an impossi-
bility.
At the end of four or five days the
old gentleman was very restless, but
there was no chance for him to pro-
test and no chance for him to get clos
er than a public audience with his
son. For nearly ten days he made
the effort, but failed, and then left
for home, happy as to the entertain
ment he had received, but dismayed
at his inability to see his son alone.
AS soon as he was gone, Grant re-
stored General Dickie 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 semipublic letter written by
General Grant after his retirement
from the Presidency, there occurs
these lines:
Whatever mistakes have made
in my public life, have never erred
for my own gain. What have done
for the public has been from sense
of duty, and not with any thought as
to what it would profit me. Many
unkind things have been said and
written of me by those who least
know how l have been situated, but
my acts have been inspired by the
highest sense Of fealty to my country
and Government. "-ChicagO Times
| Herald.
MARIE" he cried passionately, as
he threw himself at the rich widows
feet, will you be my wife?"
Eyes, John, she murmured, put
ting her arm about his neck. 1t
means the sacrifice of my fortune, for
my income from my late husbands
estate ceases at my second marriage;
but my love for you is such"
Marie, l cannot accept the sacr1-
| fee. il is too much. | will be