The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1911-03-15
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Accounts That General Grant
Would Not Inspect.
Refused TO Look at These Kept by
Con During worad-clroIlna Trip,
alnee Nh ellla Wefe
PsA6,
ey e. J. EDWARDS.


The only one OF the Grant sehhdpen
WHO did noh accompany tho general
end Mrs. Grant on any part OF their
famous tour around the world which
began when they set sail from Phila.
delphia in 1877. following the, close Of
the generals second term as presi.
dent, was their second son. U. g.
Grent, Jr. Years later, when this son
had become a well-known resident OF
San Diego. I called his, attention TO the
fact, and asked why he did not take
the trip.
II have always regretted that was
not able to make the Journey" was tho
reply, but there were one or two good
reasons that operated to keep me at
home. had been recently graduated
from Harvard and the Columbia Law
school and had Just begun the practice
OF law. 1t did not seem expedient that
should break In upon my iife's work
thus early by taking part in a world
tour that perhaps would occupy the
better part of three years. Further
more, 1t was necessary that some one
should be in the United States who
could look after fathers business af-
fairs, and because there was a very
good personal reason why 1 should re-
main at home. | was given the task
Of managing fathers business matters
for him while he was absent from
the country.
We'll. after father had started de-
cided to keep very careful, system
attic and detailed record Of accounts
tn of hi II
might be called upon to transact. AS
beheld these accounts grow from
month to month, 1 reflected with some
pride that upon fathers return I
should be able to lay before him ac-
companied by the necessary vouchers,
complete and full statement Of all
collections and expenditures made by
me In his behalf. And, I must con-
fess. as the time for his return drew
near I began to look for a compliment
on the manner in which | had attend
cd to his business and on the accurate
and complete story of his business af-
fairs that the accounts would tell to
him.
"Of course, some time after IA
theirs return we. were too much oc-
cupied with greetings, with receiving
friends and congratulations. and with
listening to the various stories that
father had to tell Of his experiences, to
get down to the business that lay be-
tween him and me. But, finally, there
came day when placed before
father my account books. vouchers and
other documents essential to perfect
accounting, and said to him:
"'Fathor, have tried to keep very
careful and accurate accounts OF your
business affairs since you have been
away. and think I have done pretty
we'll I have here a general statement
Of receipts and disbursements. de-
tailed statement, and complete set Of
vouchers. I am sure that you will find
the accounts all right. and I wqaid like
to have you looktnem over
"'Well. my son. father asked did
you receive enough money to pay all
my bills promptly?'
"'Oh. yes, the receipts were abund-
ant
Well, you have paid all the bills?'
Yes. every one.
Was there anything left over?'
Yes, quite a little sum
Then take your accounts away and
lock them up; don't care to see them.
So long as all the bills were paid, and
80 long as the balance remains in my
favor, what do | care about accounts {?
That's all | want to know
And do you know" concluded Mr..
Grant. IL could never get father to look
at those accounts had kept so pains
takingly against the day of his return.
But | think he was not little proud
of the way In which was able to hand
! general report to him by word Of
mouth"
Copyright. 1910, by Il. j. Edwards All
Rights RcseryedO