He was the soul of candor. He
called a spade a spade. And he never could bargain.
Another early trait revealing itself in later years was something that,
in his Memoirs, he calls a superstition. It was a dislike to turn back
when once started on a journey. If he found himself on the wrong road,
he would keep going until he came to some branching road rather than
turn aside. This habit was destined to make some of the generals on
the other side, in the Civil War, somewhat uncomfortable. They found
that he never quit.
Thus grew up the boy, Ulysses Grant. He was not considered
particularly bright at school, but he was a plodder, going along
keeping his own counsel. He could not talk readily, even in a small
company, and was hopeless when it came to "speaking a piece" on Friday
at the school. But he was a sturdy, outdoor boy, by this time
remarkably proficient with horses. At the age of fifteen he had
explored the back country for miles roundabout.
His father, however, had never lost sight of the fact that the boy was
to get a good schooling--and frequently brought up the subject, to
"Lys's" discomfort. The lad was not especially keen for any more
books. But the opportunity came--just as others were to come, to shape
the whole course of young Grant's life.
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