Colonel Nicholas Smith, in “Grant, the Man of Mystery,” gives us the
following side-light upon Grant’s character:
During a strenuous campaign, the opposition resorted to every
means to discredit him and made the most virulent attacks upon
his personal character. Grant remained silent and took no part
in the campaign. He retired to his little home in Galena,
received his friends, drove and walked about the streets, took
tea and chatted in the most familiar way with his neighbors, and
seemed totally unconscious of the fact that he was the central
figure in one of the great political struggles of the century.
(2078)
* * * * *
Of Grant’s demeanor after the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, Colonel
Smith says:
The little man, in the dress of a private soldier, who commanded
the armies which brought about this glorious consummation,
was not among those who joined in the demonstration of joy.
When he reached his camp that night he was none other than the
real Grant--modest, quiet, regardless of the greatness of the
occasion. General Horace Porter, who was with him at the time,
says Grant had little to say about the surrender.
(2079)
* * * * *
A group of church-members, on a tour, were delayed at a railway
station. One of them, after looking at a locomotive engine,
asked his friends what part of the engine they would choose to
be if it represented the Church. One replied, “I would be the
brake, for that is often needed for safety.” Another said, “I
would prefer to be the whistle, calling people’s attention to
the fact that ‘the King’s business requireth haste.’” “And I
would like to be the boiler, for that is an essential part of
the engine.” “What would you like to be, brother?” said one to a
quiet man who had not replied. “Oh,” said he, “I think I am only
fit to be the coal, ready to be consumed so long as the engine
moves.”
(2080)
* * * * *
A story is told among the friends of Gen. Samuel S. Sumner, U.S.A.,
retired, who was until recently the commanding officer of the Pacific
Division.
General Sumner, after the San Francisco earthquake, went to San
Rafael. There he was informed by one of the guiding spirits of
the village that he must aid in patrolling and guarding against
fire and unruly refugees. Something in General Sumner’s bearing
evidently imprest the man, for after a moment’s thought he
said: “I think I’ll make you a second lieutenant.” “Thank you,”
answered General Sumner. “I don’t think any rank ever conferred
upon me ever pleased me more unless it was when I was made a
major-general in the regular army.” (Text.)
(2081)
* * * * *
The grace of modesty seems sometimes rare and its exhibition is always
pleasing. An instance of modest reticence is given in this concerning a
well-known author:
They had met in Brooklyn at a little evening party--the young
man and an older one--and were coming back to Manhattan
together. The young man inquired the elder’s vocation in life,
and the elder replied that he had practised law for eighteen
years.
“And, later,” he added, “I have done a little writing.”
“Ever get anything published?” asked the young man.
“Yes, a few things,” replied the elder.
“Write under your own name?”
“Yes.”
“By the way, I don’t believe I quite caught your name.”
“Thomas Nelson Page,” replied the other quietly.
(2082)
See HUMILITY OF A SCIENTIST.
=Mohammedans and the Bible=--See BIBLE, GRIP OF THE.
=Molding Children=--See RELIGIOUS TRAINING; TRAINING CHILDREN.
=Molding Men=--See TENDERNESS OF GOD.