Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-04-29

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time in the family of jeff Davis, and tn,
volume contains some reminiscencies of tha
time. But by far the largest and most inter
esting part of the volume is devoted to hel
acquaintance and intimacy with Mrs. Lin
coin; one hundred pages being given to a
history of Mrs. Lincoln's scandalous effort tc
raise money by selling her clothing Although
the writer assumes to be the friend of Mrs
Lincoln, and was her most trusted confdan
te, she has published here very many o.
Mrs. L. private letters, which certainly dc
not show that lady in any more favorable
light than those previously published.
Those who enjoy the gossip of a serving
woman about the prominent men and womer
for whom she has been both servant ano
contfdante, will be greatly entertained by
this book but like most of such gossip, the
Incl dents narrated do not add to the respect
which the reader feels for the characters fig
uring in the history.
There has been much said in respect to
the large amount of furniture. plate, &c.
which, it has been allie ged Mrs Lincoln
carried away from the White House. and, as
throwing some light upon that, we extract
the writer's account of her removal from
Washington
.'For five weeks Mrs. Lincoln was confined
to her room. Packing afforded quite re-
/ lief, as it so closely occupied us that we had
not much time for lamentation.
Letters of coincidence were received from
all parts of the country, and even from for
eign potentates, but Mr.. Andrew johnson
the successor of Mr.. Lincoln, never called on
the widow, or even so much as wrote line
expressing sympathy for her grief and the
loss of her husband. Robert called on him
one day to tell him that his mother would
turn the White House over to him in few
days, and he never even so much as inquired
after their welfare. Mrs. Lincoln firmly be-
lieves that Mr.. johnson was concerned in
the assassination plot.
In packing, Mrs. Lincoln gave away eve
rything intimately connected with the Pres
ident, as she said that she could not bear to
be reminded of the past. The articles We're
given to those who were regarded as the
warmest Of Mr. Lincoln 5 admirers All of
the presents passed through my hands. The
dress that Mrs. Lincoln wore the night Of
the assassination was given to Mrs. Slade, the
wife of an old and faithful messenger. The
F tIDdh. SldlUtu Will lilt TcSlucuL DIOOu ,
was given to me, az also was the bonnet
worn on the same memorable night. After
wards | received the comb and brush that
Mr. Lincoln used during his residence at
the " hite House. With this same comb
and brush | had often combed his head -
When almost ready to 90 down to a recep-
ton. he would turn to me with quizzical
look . Well, Madam Elizabeth, will you
brush my bristles down tonight p
. Yes, Mr.. Lincoln.
Then he would take his seat in an easy
chair, and sit quietly while | arranged his
hair As may well be imagined, | was only
too glad TO accept this comb and brush from
the hands Of Mrs. Lincoln. The cloak, bon
net, comb, and brush, the glove worn at
the first reception after the second inaugu-
raj, and Mr.. Lincoln 5 over-shoes, also given
to me, have since donated for the benefit
of Wilberforce University, a colored college
near Xenia. Ohio, destroyed by fire on the
night that the President was murdered.
There was much surmse. when Mrs Lin
coin left the White House, what her fifty or
sixty boxes, not to count her score of trunks,
could contain Had the government not been
so liberal in furnishing the boxes, it is posi-
bic that there would have been less demand
for so much transportation. Tho boxes were
loosely packed, and many of them with arti-
cles not worth carrying away. Mrs. Lin
coin had a passion for boarding old things,
believing with Toodles. that they were
:. handy to have about the house.
The bonnets that she brought with her
from Springfield. in addition to every one
purchased during her residence in Washing
\ ton were packed IN tie boxes. and trans
ported to Chicago. She remarked that she
might find use for the material some day,
and it was prudent to look to the future.
am sorry 10 say that Mr.. Lincoln 5 foresight
in regard to the future was only confined to
cast-off clothing. as she owed, at the time
of the Presidents death, different store bills
amounting to seventy thousand dollars. Mr.
Lincoln knew nothing of these bills, and the
only happy feature of his assassination was
that he died in ignorance of them. Had he
known to what extent his wife was involved
the fact would have embittered the only
pleasant moments of his life. | disclose this
secret in regard to Mrs Lincoln debts, il
order to explain why she should subsequent
Iv have laborcd under pecuniarv embarrass
ment The children. as well as herself, haC
received vast number of presents during
Mr.. Lincoln administration, and these
presents constituted large item in the con
tents of the boxes. The only article of fur
niture. so far as | know, taken away from
the White House by Mrs. Lincoln was
little dressing-stand used by the President
| recollcct hearing him say one day
Mother this little stand is so handy, anC
suits me so well, that | do not know how
shall get along without it when we NOV
away from here" He was standing befor
mirror. brushing his hair, when he made
the remark.
Well. father" Mrs. Lincoln replied, ii
YOU like the stand so we'll, we will take i
with us when we 90 away.
:. Not for the world he exclaimed bu
she interrupted him
Il should like to know what difference
makes if we put better one in its place.
q That alters the question. If you vii
put a stand in its place worth twice mucl
as this one, and the Commissioner consents
then | have no objection
Mrs Lincoln remembered these words
and. with the consent of the Commissioner
took the stand to Chicago with her for tn
benefit of little Tad Another stand, | mus
not forget to add, was put in its place.
1t is charged that great deal Of furnitur
was lost from the White House during Nh
Lincoln 8 occupation of it. Very true, an
it can be accounted for in this way: In som
respects, to put the case very plainly, Mrs
Lincoln was :. penny wise and pound foo
ish'' When she moved into the Whit
House. she discharged the Steward, who's
business it was to look after the affairs of tt
household When the Steward was dsmi
sed, there was no one to supcrintend affair'
, and the servants carried away pieces of ful
niture. In this manner the furniture rapiC
ly disappeared.
Mrs Lincoln contracted large debts, {
which her husband knew nothing. Her re;
son for it was this
: u,l,a-x CONSIST oh, of Of ctoro b;llS I ~,