The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-07-09

March, 1860. In 1t he said: "I am
sorry. Pickett. your wise advisers up
by the throne there in Washington
should have forced upon you the ne
cessity of going away. 1t was not at
all necessary; for, had it required an
other war, the cartel between General
Lee and myself should have bee2 car
ried out, and you ought TO have known
it,"
The first time l ever spoke TO Cen
eral Grant was at the Washington rail-
way station. Not long after he became
President of the United States he sent
an invitation to me and the baby and
an order TO General Pickett to come
and visit him.
Hello, Pickett Up to your old war
tricks, coming in ahead Of the tram"
he said, as we came upon him sitting
In his carriage at the station, innocent.
ly waiting, not knowing that the train
had arrived. He referred TO an Incl
dent during the war.
My first sight Of Washington was
from the Presidents carriage. Mrs
Grant was a beautiful hostess, and al
went well till night came, when l was
so afraid that my baby would cry and
disturb our hosts that L could hardl,
sleep. The next day, upon speakin,
of my uneasiness, the President said:
LET the baby do just what h
pleases. The whole place belongs t.
him."
One evening when we were reminis
cling | told Mrs. Grant of having seeI
her before, when General Pickett, VIII
loved TO tease me, repeated, much 10
my dismay, my belligerent remarks on
that occasion and the argument which
he had used TO curb my anxiety.
And do you know, Pickett" Grant
interrupted, relieving my embarrass-
ment. that once we were foolish
enough to think seriously of having an
operation for that? We had consult
ell the best surgeons and been assured
that it was a very simple thing and not
at all dangerous, and SO we had de-
cided to have it done. But 1 got &c
worrying about 1t more and more, and
the more l thought of it the more
didn't want my wifes eyes changed
even the least little bit from what they
had always been. Well, all the ar
rangements had been made; the hour
We were alone. | stood watching her
put the last little odds and ends into
her handbag. All was ready, and we
started to go. My hand was on the
knob of the door, when l stopped, turn
ed, and, looking around at her, said:
MY dear, / know that | am very
selfish and ought not to say what /
am going to; but l don't want TO have
your eyes fooled with. They are all
right as they are. They look just as
they did the very first time / ever saw
them-the same eyes | looked into
when l fell in love with you-the same
eyes that looked up to mine and told
me that my love was returned / have
felt and seen that expression in them
through all the years, since then, and
l don't want it changed now. This
operation might make you look better
to other people; but to me you are
prettier as you areas you were when
l first saw you. No. my dear, / should
miss the way you've always looked,
and 1 don't want any changes. So, IL
you don't mind, please let's keep your
dear eyes just as they always have
BEEN
''She looked up with a surprised Joy
and said: Why, 1t was only for your
sake that l was even thinking of hav-
ing anything done, and if you feel that
way about it. ~
"Well, Pickett, l was glad, and she
was glad. / united the bonnet strings
l had watched her tying so carefully,
threw the bonnet on the floor, l believe,
and took her by the hand, and we
turned and walked back into the room,
as light-hearted as pair of children.
The veil of uncertainty had been parted,
and a heavy load had been lifted from
our hearts"
Grant reached over and patted FER
hand. and the President of the United
States looked into the same eyes that
had looked their love into those of the
young Captain in the years agone and
had become more beautiful to him In
all the changes OF time.-La Sale Cor
bell Pickett.