Grant As A Boy

The late Colonel Jesse E. Peyton in his book of reminiscences thnsdescribed his first meeting with General Grant: "Intheyear 1838 I was working asa boy in a country store at Flat Rock, Bourbon county, Ky. ülysses S. Grant was then a boy, living at Georgetown, O., not many miles distant. One day Grant drove over to Flat Rock with the niece of my employer. Grant was then Í6 years old, awkward, ungainly, determined, industrious and very poorly dressed. He drove a vicious horse. The night after his arrival at Flat Rock he slept with me in the store. It was a cold night, and we boys kept close to the lee of the counter. "In the morning Grant asked me if he could assist me. Isaid'Yes. ' Hehelped me take down the shutters and sweep out the store and put stock in place. After breakfast he drove off. I heard from him afterward of his drive home. Bef ore he had gone far from Flat Rock his horse ran away, and finally bronght np with a crash in a fence corner. Nothing broke. Grant jumped out, seized the trembling horse by the bridle and tied his handkerchief over the beast's eyes. He drove the horse blindfolded all the way to Georgetown, O."