Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 February 1881 — “Happy Man” and “Lucky Dog.” [ARTICLE]

“Happy Man” and “Lucky Dog.”

Many anecdotes which are only legendary, tohlof distinguished persons, an* nevertheless characteristic. Persims n*w living who knew Lafayette, ajid remember li is suavity ami conversational wit, treasure up little scraps of his talk, ami love to repeat them. There was a story told aliout him durin ; his visit to Boston, writes Josia'i Quincy in the lml*‘|H‘mleut, whicti I am tempted to re|»eat, though 1 do not believe it was true. It was probably one of those a|»oervphal mieedotes which give the |s>pular impressions Hl»out public characters iu a |>ointed way. Ou l>eing presented to some oi»| soldiers, the general was heard to ask the leader of the group if he were married. l T |s»n receiving an answer in the affirmative, Lafayette responded, with most tender emphasis, “Ah! happy man!” To the next person who was next presented the same question was nut; but here the reply was, “No, sir; I am a liachelor-” “Oh! you lucky dog!” whispered Lafayette, witli a roguish twinkle of his eye. These words were overheard by a bystander and he Hiarged witli insincerity in bestowing similar congratulations under such widely different circumstances. “Is it possible, ’* said the general, turning promptly upon-his critic, “that you value the prerogative of humanity so little as not to know that the felicity of a happy man is a thousand times bettier than that of a lucky dog!” Certain traits of Lafayette—his way of saying -pleasant things to those he met ami his graceful readiness of reply—arf so happily combinedin the story that it ih-serves to lie true, and it may have had some foundation in fact.