The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-04
SOME RECOLLECTIONS OF NELLIE
 GRANT

" metropolitan daily the other Sun.
 day, and the sweet face of Nellie Grant looked up at me, my mind was steeped in pleasant memories, which spannea the many, many years since we met at the very commencement of my first season in Washington. I shall never forget my first entrance into the White House.
 It was my privilege to be a visitor in the family of Chief Justice of one of the courts there. He had been in the Senate prior to Grants administration, and was given that life position by the President because he knew his legal worth and his integrity. They had been friends far back in St. Louis, so that 1 had glmpses into the family circle of the White House that otherwise would never have come my way. l arrived in Washington on Saturday afternoon and was warml welcomed by my host, his lady and lovely daughter, young matron. As soon as 1 was settled in my room she told me was included in an invita- ton and would have a delightful surprise the following afternoon, so must look my very best. The mystery deepened
 Even when we had driven into the grounds and alighted at the door of the executive mansion it did not dawn upon me that I was to make my first bow to the President in his own apartment, much less take Sunday evening supper informally at his table,
 Then it was first met Nellie Grant and her brother Fred--Lieutenan Grant. That winter the White House was in mourning, as Mrs. Grants father, Colonel Dent, had died that autumn. Mrs. Grant was very honey woman; but sprightly-fond of music and dancing. She had been a leader in the rural society of her home in the Middle West, so she insisted upon her daughter taking her place through the pe- riod of her retirement.
 Nellie Grant was just my own age. We had both lately "finshed,' so she was nothing loath to launching on the sea of young ladyhood. Before the evening was over we had become well enough acquainted for her to take me off to her own room to introduce me to her new mourning gowns and hats for "the season''-which began in a day or two. Nellie Grant certainly did take her mothers place well, everywhere bewitching young and old by her sweetness and pettiness. It was no unusual sight at an afternoon hop at Fort Myer or dance at one of the embassies to her, draped in crepe, dancing with an attache, her veil floating as black cloud around her. Also, presiding over tea table on ''caDi- net day." but she was so courteous and un- affected tbat strangers even fell under her charm. She was truly Washngton's little sunshine" as she was that of her own fam fly.
 Nellie Grant had indeed a mind and will of her own; and a way of getting her way that was sweetly diplomatic. Lieu tenat Fred Grant, that autumn had broken his engagement to a California girl much to the delight of his father. i:e was stationed at Fort Myer and had beautiful pair of spirited black horses, which he always drove himself.
 Several times he took his sister and my self for rides, either in tandem or in his sleigh, for we had snows in those days.
 Now, my host was very old style Pres byterian, and told me that the two things he would not sanction my doing were going to any theatre or receiving any callers on Sunday evenings. From my little girl days Abraham Lincoln had always been hero, and I wanted to stand in the very spot where he had been assassinated Now what was l to do? I did not want to go con trary to his wishes, so I told Nellie Grant. Meeting as we did at every turn, it is no wonder that we became little confidential. as girls will. She listened to me and under stood my dilemma, but told me to leave it to