The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-10

they are cad are most key to be
taken with a grain of salt But here is
one OF President Grant, or. rather. a
continued story of Grant a general
and as president. which is new. II
would be a characteristic story but for
the modesty which yelled the grim war
riors gentler deeds. but as rare as may
be The public knowledge OF such. this
one must pass unchallenged on the
testimony of living and credible wit
neSses.
Little sad faced Mary" the apple
girl, was a well known figure TO the
busy corners and thoroughfares of
Washington before General Grant be-
cae president, and for a short time af-
forwards b and her ask were seen
no more togethr. Mary was not an
u~nattractive girl. n the perpetual sad
expression OF her fsce caused all who
saw her to give her more than a pass
ing notice. n to this fact are due the
details Of this romantic story. The
man who tells II is a government en-
ploye, whose office was then. as 1t is
now, on a level with the street.
One bleak wintry day he happened 20
look out on the street and saw a man
examining a basket OF apples held by
the little girl, but instead OF purchas-
ing the a passed on, and for the
first time he government official saw
Mary's &C. and noticed its sadness,
which he attributed to disappointment
over the loss of her anticipated custo-
mer. To compensate her he called TO
her, bought some apples, took her into
the office and induced his fellow en-
ployes 10 do the same. and then told
her to come every day and he would
buy apples from her. In this way
he became acquainted with her his
tory. She was an orphan, and was
selling apples to supper herself.
Among her customers was General
Grant, whose headquarters We're then
on the corner of Seventeenth and T
streets, as she told her new found
who is D.. r. Swingle, in charge of the
internal revenue blank room, ~treasury
department. He bought apples from
Mary every day, became interested in
her, supplied her with pens, ink and
paper, st copies for her and taught her
how to write.
In their early acquaintance she told
Mr.. Swingle, in connection with the
fact that General Grant bought apples
from her, that he once said to her:
Mary, if ever / become president ]
shall give you an appointment"
Some years later, when Mary was Is
and General Grant war president. in
liz udlly NlSlI ~ MI. DIV lllSI - ollICt
he said to her:
Mary you are getting too big now to
be selling apples on the street"
Yes she replied. but what shall ]
do ?"
Go and see the president and re-
mind him of his promise. Here / will
give you a card and you will take it 10
him"
The card was written and Little sad
I foon6 AToru-'s u-nn1A1 hnr 10Y 20 III
White House, where she delivered the
a to a messenger who handed it t.
the president and he read: Mary Nc.
carly (the little girl who used to sci
you apples)."
Without waiting to tell the messen-
ger ITO admit the visitor, the president
came out and shook her hand cordially
said he remembered her and asked
what he could do for her.
General" she said, II am gettinl
too big to sell apples on the street any
Yes, you are" the president inter
rupted.
And I thought 1 would come an'
remind you of your promise"
81 remember that too said the pre-
ident, and it shal be done. 1 shall
write right away. In which depart
ment do you want to go ?
I'm the bureau of engraving an,
printing"
Very well, come back Thursday
this was Tuesday and bring "a car
just like this" holding her card in hi
hand.
Mar thanked him. returned to Nj
SwiCSle, told what the president ha,
said and went out 70 dispose of he
little remaining stock. But she scar
cely had time to make a sale befor
SOM n approached her and askes
her if h We're Mary McCarty, tn
little apple girl, and being answere-
in the affirmative, gave her d lette
and returned in the direction in whic
he came. Frightened at the proceed
ings, for no explanation of the lette
was given, Mary hurried to Mr.. Swim
giles office related the circumstance
and handed an unopened letter [
read. On seeing its contents Mr.. Swim
gle said:
why, Mary, 1t is your appoint
ment."
And % it was. The president ha
not waited for Mary to retur o
Thursday, but had the appointment
made at once and sent the meSsenge
out to find her and deliver it.
There are many Neutrality-suspicious. VIII
remember little sad face Mary" an
wondered at her sudden Disappearance
from h street with her basket q
apples. They will know now for tn
first time that it was one of Presiden
Grants happy ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ton letter in New York Tribune.