The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1901-05-16
Grant and His Old Friend.

Grant Apd His Old Friend.
Gratitude fills DO small place 10 . do
character. JUDGED. il is indispensable /
complete character, and rounds th
whole emoiionsl nature. Tits trait ws
notably conspicuous 10 General Grant
and il hss seldom been more touchingl
illustrated than by story Of lin, whicl
the Ksnsss Oity Star pripts,
Prior to the Civil War Grant was hvipl
near ST. Louis. 10 the most humble ci
cumstancss. Although . grsdaste
West Point. and soldier by instinct s
we'll ss educstioo. he was then daily el
gag a 10 selling and deIivenps cord-Eoo'
10 whoever would buy. Among his on
toners Was o man OF wealth and soeis
standing, Samuel b. Churchill, q native o
Kentucky, who often told Gssbt tbs
when be failed 10 sell 20 others he mi gb
drive his load TO his wood.shed. throw i
ip, aud call for bis pay the next day.
The two men became we'll acquainted
Grant always delivered good wood. iul
measure, and Churchill, besides beiuE
prompt and liberal in his payments. e,
tended 10 bis neiehbor many bospitalitiel
which we're accepted sud sppreois,ed.
The war, when il sprsng mp. divided thu
two men. Onurchill cast in his lot with
the South, and IL ia . familiar story how
the young wood. seller. loyal TO the North,
gradually displayed the qualities Of q
great military leader, and was advanced
from grade to grade. from section to sec
sion. from Islsnd No. 10 to DonelsoD.
from Donelsou TO Sailoh. fr1' Shiloh 10
vicksburg to the Potomac, t'om the Poto
mao to Richmond. and from Richmond to
the presidency.
Some years after the surrender Of Gsner
81 Lac. Churchill. whose property bad
been condscated and sold. rsturned homo
to Kentucky to begin life anew. AZ be
passed through Washington be felt 1t his
duty sni pleasure 10 call upon Grant. Hs
approached the. White House with some
apprehension, however, not knowing how
he would be recsivsd, il. indeed. be we're
received st oil.
He did not fully knoS bis old friend.
The reception room was filled With Ssns
tors, CuDgtesamen and Others. oil awaiting
their time and turn 10 be called into the
Pfesidents room; yet as soon as the Presi
dent read Ohurchill's card De came TO the
door himself, aud invited hin in.
The door was closed betwsen them and
the outside crowd, and the President told
the servant to notify the others that he
coold not see them for hsli an hour. For
40 instant Churchill did not know Whist
wss TO become OF him; thoughts Of prison,
expstri..ion aud other pnnishm ents for
treason rushed through bis brain; then he
beard the President speaking cordially. 81
most affsctionstely
bsm. how are yon' Sil down and have
Q smoke. You used 10 give me the best
Havanas when couli DO. boy; nov l
van. 10 return some Of your past fsvors.
DO you want soytbine? Have yen any
money! Do you want On o!fise9 Csn l
be Of service to yon 10 any wsyi think
more OF those who we're my friends when
| vas poor and helpless. with . growing
family on my hands. than / do sll sach
IS stand on tbs Outside wait
ing to press mo for places.
Unurehill was overcome By Grants geo
eIous warmth, b1. be replied:
| an rebel. fresh FROG. fts Coniedfr
ate army. sni | hsse too high an opinion
Of yon 81 our corqasrcr. aud as my old,
time friend. 10 al any special favor At
your hands. ] wouId sosept nothing thst
would embsrrsss you With yonr own par
~. have no right to ssk anything. l
did rot come here for that purpose. !
only came 70 see Whst cnansee, II sbyi
had come ossr ih. spirit OF my old friend.
| care nothing for that, replied the
siupiy. There are obligations
stronger thsn politics. sad higher ties than
the recollection oi 80 nafortuns,e var.
Think IL over. Sam. till evening rosn
come snd dine With Mrs. Cant snd me.
II you vsnt Dsmocrstis talk che spd Der
fs,her. General Dsns. will give Jon 81 that
ycar bee I desires. promise you I II l
~lii not break up The tressonsble csmpl
Both men are desd, the Soo,hern gentle
nan sed The grtat soiivr Esch sss
friend 81 the ether when times we're
roush, sni bo,h bsve IL, bright memor
les Of usnis generosity ~hich sprsns
from good hss'f..