The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-04-01
THE FUNERAL OF WILLIE LINCOLN.

This little fellow had his acquaintances
among bis fathers fi-nds, and Glanced to
be one of them. lie never failed to seek me
pleasant remark; and this, in a boy of but
ten years, was, 10 say the least, endearing TO
a stranger. But be had moro than mere af.
fectionateness. Ills selfpossession- apiomb,
as the French call twas extraordinary. /
was one day passing the White House, when
he was outside with playfellow on the side
walk. Mr.. Seward drove in, with Prince Ma
poleon and two of his suite in the carriage;
and in a mock heroic way-terms of anus.
ing intimacy evidently existing between the
boy and the Secretary-the official gentleman
took off his hat, and tho Napoleon party did
the same, all making the young prince Presl'
dent ceremonious saiule. No: a bit stag
gered with the homage, Willie drew himself
up to his full height, took off his little cap
with graceful self possession, and bowed down
formally to the ground, like II little embassa
dor. They drove past, and he went on un'
concernedy with his play; the impromrtu
readiness and good judgment being clearly
part of his nature. HIS genial and open OK
preston Of counenance WAS none the less in
geuuous ond fearless for n certain tincture Of
fun; and it was in this mingIing of qualities
that he SO faithfully resembled his father.
With all the spendor that WAS around this
little icllow in his new home, he was 50 brave
ly and beautifully himSelf-aud that only -
A wild.hower, transplanted from the prairie
to a hot house, he retained his prairie habits,
unalterably pure and simple, till he died. His
leading trai. seemed to be Il fearless aud kind.
ly frankness, willing that everything should
be as different as it pleased but resting un.
moved in bis own conscious single hearted
ness. found | was studying hi irresisti
bly,, as one Of those sweet problems Of child.
hood that the world is best with, in rare pa
ces; and the news Of his death Il was absent
from Washington, on visit to my own chl'
dren, at the time) came to ne like knel
heard unexpectedly at a merry making.
On the day Of the funeral went, before
the hour, to take a near farewell look at the
dear boy; for they had embalmed him to
send home TO the West-to sleep under the
sods of bis own valley-and the coffin lid was
to be closed during the service. The family
had just taken their leave OF him, aud the
servants and nurses were seeing him for the
last timc-and, with tears and sobs wholly
unrestrained, for be was loved like an idol by
every one Of them. He lay, with eyes closed
his brown hair parted as we had known il
pale in the slumher Of death; but other
wise unchanged for he was dressed as for the
evening, and held, in one Of the hands crossed
upon his breast, bunch OF exquisite flowers
"a message coming from his mother, while
we were looking upon him, praying that those
flowers might be preserved ior her. She was
lying sick 10 her bed, worn out with grief and
over watching.
The funeral was very touching. OF the
entertainments in the splendid east room, the
boy had been-for those now assembled, more
eSpecially-a most lfe-giving variation. With
his bright face, and his apt greetings and re
plies, he was remembered in every part Of
that crimson curtainod hall built only for
pleasure-of ali the crowds, each night, Ger
tainly the one least likely 90 ho Deaths first
mark. II, was his fathers favoritc. They
were in,imatcs-oftenest seen hand in hand {.
Aud there sat the man, with burthen on his
brain at which the world marvcls-bent now
with the load at both heart and brain-stag.
gering under blow like the taking from him
of this child His men Of power sat around
him-McC Clellan, with moist eye when he
bowed to the PRAYER, as could see from where
| stood, and Chase and Seward with their
austere features at work, aud Senators, aud
Ambassadors, and soldiers all struggling with
their tears-great hearts sorrowiug with the
President as a stricken man and BROTHER
That God may give him strength for all his
burthens. is, am sure, at present, the prayer
Of nation!