business dealings he threw aside all formality and reserve in his
social intercourse, delightfully reminiscential, indeed a capital story
teller. I do not wonder that he had constant and disinterested friends
who loved him sincerely.

IV

It has always been my opinion that if Chester A. Arthur had been named
by the Republicans as their candidate in 1884 they would have carried
the election, spite of what Mr. Blaine, who defeated Arthur in the
convention, had said and thought about the nomination of General
Sherman. Arthur, like Grant, belonged to the category of lovable men in
public life.

There was a gallant captain in the army who had slapped his colonel in
the face on parade. Morally, as man to man, he had the right of it. But
military law is inexorable. The verdict was dismissal from the service.
I went with the poor fellow's wife and her sister to see General Hancock
at Governor's Island. It was a most affecting meeting--the general,
tears rolling down his cheeks, taking them into his arms, and, when he
could speak, saying: "I can do nothing but hold up the action of the
court till Monday. Your recourse is the President and a pardon; I will
recommend it, but"--putting his hand upon my shoulder--"here is the man
to get the pardon if the President can be brought to see the case as
most of us see it."

At once I went over to Washington, taking Stephen French with me. When
we entered the President's apartment in the White House he advanced
smiling to greet us, saying: "I know what you boys are after; you
mean--"

"Yes, Mr. President," I answered, "we do, and if ever--"

"I have thought over it, sworn over it, and prayed over it," he said,
"and I am going to pardon him!"

V

Another illustrative incident happened during the Arthur Administration.
The dismissal of Gen. Fitz-John Porter from the army had been the
subject of more or less acrimonious controversy. During nearly two
decades this had raged in army circles. At length the friends of Porter,
led by Curtin and Slocum, succeeded in passing a relief measure through
Congress. They were in ecstasies. That there might be a presidential
objection had not crossed their minds.

Senator McDonald, of Indiana, a near friend of General Porter, and a man
of rare worldly wisdom, knew better. Without consulting them he came to
me.

"You are personally close to the President," said he, "and you must
know that if this bill gets to the White House he will