Owen Wister, Ulysses S. Grant

[16] asking what would he like, was told farming or trading or to get an education. He had no farm to give his son nor money to send him to college, and but a poor opinion of a trader's life on the Mississippi. But West Point offered free education and subsequent honourable service. The father settled the question; and this is the son's account of it: “Ulysses, I believe you are going to receive the appointment.--What appointment? I inquired.--To West Point. I have applied for it.--But I won't go, I said. He said he thought I would; and I thought so, too, if he did.” The Italics are Grant's own, and he seldom uses them. Since his career is offered as an inspiration to American youth, it is a pity that his bringing up so rarely serves as a model for American parents. A sound, sturdy wholesomeness in both father and mother is the assisting cause of most that was admirable in their son. They made no grief over saying good-by.